Atlanta Clan na nGael 3-7 Twin Cities Robert Emmets 0-4
Atlanta Clan na nGael took on the Twin Cities Robert Emmets club in the final of the Junior Camogie Championship. Neither side had met in a competitive match previously so this encounter set up an intriguing contest with the girls from Minnesota. Twin Cities started sharply to register the opening score of the game via a free which was easily converted from 20 yards out. Atlanta responded quickly as Zoe Beato won a contested ball before hand passing to Sarah Spiller who sent a long accurate pass to Ashley Harmon. Harmon caught the ball in the air and ran through the defense before finishing a shot to the bottom right hand corner of the net. At this stage it was evident that the commitment of both sides to the fight for possession was such that space would be at a premium throughout this game. Jolene Glenn, Jen Beato & Fiona O’Donoghue were prominent in contests on the floor ensuring that Twin Cities did win any easy possessions. Scores from placed balls proved crucial as further frees from Zoe Beato (x3) and Spiller (after she was fouled herself) extended Atlanta’s lead.
Cathi Dugger made a fantastic double save before half time which prevented Twin Cities from regaining the momentum of the game. A Twin Cities forward made a great run into the box before hitting a shot into the top of the goal which was saved by Dugger and in the subsequent scramble Dugger also saved a ground shot from close range. In the move of the match, Fiona O’Donoghue took a quick sideline to find Annie Greenwood in space who in turn hit an accurate pass to Spiller who sent a long pass which was caught by Harmon who hand passed to the net after a long run. At half time Atlanta led by a scoreline of 2-4 to 0-1.
Twin Cities started the second half with endeavor as they scored points from a free and a point from play from 30 yards out. Just when it appeared that a comeback was imminent, Amanda DuShane displayed her great leadership qualities and poise under pressure to hit a 65m free five yards in from the right sideline and a free a few minutes later from a similar field position. The defense continued to show brilliant hustle to stifle their opponents’ efforts to win pick-ups and deliver clean strikes. Kristin Cardell & Danielle Lanfear did a superb job breaking down plays once they reached the red zone and sending relieving clearances up the field. In a breakaway move Carey McCarthy made an excellent run down the right wing before sending a diagonal ball into the box which Spiller dispatched to the net on the volley. Twin Cities scored another point from play but Zoe Beato rounded off Atlanta’s scoring with a free from a narrow angle from the left wing.
Well done to the Twin Cities girls who played a great match and who will be back next year to compete for the Junior title. Thanks to Aileen Lawlor, the 29th President of the Camogie Association, was on hand to present the cup to captains Sarah Spiller & Jolene Glenn pictured above. Photos from the day can be seen here.
Team: Cathi Dugger, Kristin Cardell, Danielle Lanfear, Fiona O’Donoghue, Amanda DuShane (0-2, 1F, 1 65), Jen Beato, Zoe Beato (0-4, 4F) Sarah Spiller (1-1, 1F) Karina Clarke, Jolene Glenn, Anne Greenwood, Ashley Harel & Ashley Harmon (2-0). Subs: Lauren Alexander, Carey McCarthy, Virginia Varela-Eyre & Asha Peplinski
Credit goes to the management team of Johnny O’Sullivan, Rob Kiely & Patrick Lynch for all their hard work and dedication this season and Kevin Quinn who worked so hard to develop camogie in Atlanta. Special thanks to the folks who travelled from across the country to support the team. Club Chairman Ray Tracey & his wife Antoinette, Paul McQuaid, Paddy Connolly, Stuart Kelly & David O’Donoghue travelled from Atlanta. The Greenwood family came to Boston from all over the New England & New York area while Ashley Harel’s grand-parents, Peter & Aline Sieber, drove from Connecticut to be part of the occasion. Jordan Cicilano, who unfortunately could not play due to injury, provided fantastic logistical support and encouragement from the sideline to her team mates all weekend. Finally, thanks to Stuart Kelly who was the team videographer for the tournament and provided great entertainment with his play by play color commentary.