On Saturday our brilliant u15 camogie team competed in Division 3 of the Féile games hosted by Thomas Davis in Tallaght.
Our camógs played fiercely and with great skill against three other tough teams in their division. Cuala, Faugh Celtic & the host club Thomas Davis all battled it out across several games throughout the day. Kevins were helped greatly by lots of sideline support from their u16 clubmates and their friends from St James Gaels who came out in great numbers to cheer them on.
Game 1: Kevin’s vs Faughs
Up first were our neighbours Faughs. After a brilliant win over them in the league, we expected to face a new and improved opposition for Féile and they came out fast from the off. After three quick-fire points, from faughs, Kevin’s slowly got a hold of the game and scored a brilliant goal through Viv O’Sullivan. However, Kevin’s struggled to get the ball past midfield. Our defense battled heroically to hold Faughs out with Isolde Stanley and Abbie Jordan holding firm. Unfortunately with the last puck of the half, Faughs scored a fortuitous goal to put them back in front. The second half was a much more even affair, with Faughs taking one of the few opportunities that were presented. Kevin’s battled gamely but found it hard to sustain any pressure going forward to find a way back into the game.
*result: Faughs 2-3 : 1-0 Kevin’s*
Game 2: Kevin’s vs Cuala
With no time to reset, next up was Cuala in game 2. After a demoralising defeat in the league last year to the same opposition, the Kevin’s girls started like they had a point to prove. Kevin’s got an early goal from Emily Farrell to settle them into the game and take charge. Despite a ferocious midfield battle, Kevin’s looked to have the upper hand going forward and were strong in defence with Lilly Gannon standing firm in the half-back line. However an opportunistic goal from Cuala gave the Dalkey girls a boost and despite Freya McKeon hitting the crossbar with a rocket of a shot, the scores wouldn’t go in for Kevin’s. The battle intensified in the second half. Ciara Doyle and Emily Farrell were fingertips away from scoring after some great forward play but again Kevin’s didn’t get rewarded for the quality of their general play. In the end it was Cuala who got the decisive score and sealed a hard-fought win by the narrowest of margins, despite a fine point by Alannah Groves at the finish for Kevin’s. Result: Cuala 2-0 : 1-1 Kevin’s
Game 3: Kevin’s vs Thomas Davis
Last up were the hosts Thomas Davis. The girls had no time to feel sorry for themselves as they had an impromptu birthday party for Una May Ward Burke before the game started. Fuelled by cake, Kevin’s stormed into the game, showing no signs of pressure in this must-win game to keep the Féile dreams alive. They tore into the athletic Thomas Davis team who had only recently collected the Div 4 Féile title in football. Kevin’s didn’t take a backward step in the first half and stormed into the lead. Despite our exhausted players going down injured all over the pitch, captain Una May led the team forward at every opportunity from full-back and the players called to replace their injured teammates upped the levels to drive the girls forward, with Caoimhe Swift and Aislinn Noonan starring in defence. Thomas Davis stormed back in the second half and despite a solid performance by Kevin’s keeper Muireann Kelly, managed to creep ahead. With the clock running down, centre-back Abbie Jordan and full-forward Alannah Groves returned to action despite their knocks to give one final push for victory.
With Viv & Freya back on top around the middle and the clock ticking down, Alice Diamond and Rose Hickey put in huge work to drive the team forward. Kevin’s got the winning goal with seconds left after great persistence by Alice Seale Foyle and Angelina Vigasova in the full-forward line and Alannah applying the finish. Result: Thomas Davis 2-4 : 3-2 Kevin’s
A massive win for the Kevin’s girls and they left the pitch to continue with their earlier celebrations with Blanka Marek and Sophia Mitchell-Hayden leading the way after putting in a shift to help the team to victory.
Play-off: Kevin’s vs Thomas Davis
With the group finishing with three teams locked in joint 2nd place, a three-way play-off was underway to see who would join Faughs in the semi-finals.
First up was Thomas Davis v Kevin’s. Despite a dominant first half from Kevin’s, they failed to capitalise with the required scores. As the second half progressed, Thomas Davis got more into the game. Despite some stout defending by Aoife Gallagher and some heroic blocks by Aoibhín Dowling in defence, two quick-fire goals on the break won the play-off for the hosts.
Special mention to Alice Crean for joining the team for the Féile tournament from the U13s and putting in an amazing performance in all four games.
Cuala, Faughs Celtic, and host club Thomas Davis all battled it out across several games throughout the day. Kevin’s CBC were helped greatly by lots of sideline support from their U16 clubmates and their friends from @saintjamesgaels who came out in great numbers to cheer them on.
Thanks to the girls for an electric display of skill and determination. Thanks also for the huge commitment by the coaches & mentors Donal, Pat, Fergal, Meadhbh, Joe, Phyllis & Amy.
Kevin’s U15 Camogie Féile kit kindly sponsored by Pat Groves of d’Uisce Hydrogeological Services.
