The parish were treated to a great display of hurling and camogie in the Rackard League Finals in St. Patrick’s Park lastnight, Wednesday, 31st May.
The school camogie team made up of pupils from Kiltealy, Ballindaggin and Caim were first to take to the field in the Roinn B Rackard League County Final. They were up against the tough opposition of Loreto Gorey and Loreto showed just what they were worth in the opening half with 3 consecutive scores without a reply from Ballindaggin . Despite creating plenty of scoring opportunities in the first half, and a very strong performance, Ballindaggin found themselves trailing at halftime. Halftime score Loreto Gorey 3-1 Ballindaggin 0-1.
The Ballindaggin team thundered into the second half and showed great skill and determination to claw the game back to level scores after 15 mins, with goals from Lauren Smyth, Róisín Dobbs and Emma Healy. Anna Roban put in a powerful performance in the second half , getting back to clear the goal-line and scoring the winning goal 5 minutes from the end. The girls defended superbly in the closing stages of the game to hold onto this lead. Final Score Ballindaggin 4-01 Loreto Gorey 3-01.
The team put in a massive effort to turn the game around and deserve huge credit for their perseverance in winning this title. Captain Isobel Kavanagh was monumental at center back throughout the game. Katie Bowe put in an outstanding defensive performance while Róisín Dobbs and Lauren Smyth were fantastic in attack.
Great credit also goes out to the management team of Maeve Duff, Jim Cooper and Jim Hanrahan.
Kiltealy pupils who all played fantastically on the day and throughout the campaign were, Heather Boyce, Rebecca Codd, Emma Healy, Katie Bowe and Lauren Smyth.
Ballindaggin Team: Anna Kinsella, Eimer Tobin, Heather Boyce, Katie Bowe, Isobel Kavanagh, Anna Roben, Rebecca Codd, Cerys Fortune, Lauren Smyth, Róisín Dobbs, Emma Healy, Niamh Doyle. Subs: Tamara Kelly, Caitlin Doyle and Naomi Kavanagh Mc Carthy.
The hurling team were next to take to the field and took great encouragement from the girls win moments before. Our school team were up against Rosslare in this Roinn C Rackard League Final. Rosslare held a 2 point lead five minutes into the game. Ballindaggin clawed back into the lead with scores from Kian Murphy and James Lawless. Ballindaggin took control from here tormenting the opposition, leading to the sin-binning of a Rosslare midfielder 10mins into the game. Ballindaggin then pushed into a lead of 1-7 to 0-2 by halftime.
Ballindaggin looked comfortable at the start of the second half with scores coming from Kian Murphy and Robbie Chapman. Scores were traded between the teams and despite 2 goals from Rosslare, Ballindaggin persevered to a 1-11 to 2-04 victory.
David Nolan made some great saves throughout the game. Captain Danny Fitzhenry put in an outstanding display in defense alongside James Aylward and Noel Cowman. Kian Murphy was powerful at midfield while James Lawless was consistent in attack.
Kiltealy pupils who contributed tremendously on the day and throughout the campaign were Padraig Waters, Noel Cowman, Michael Murphy, James Aylward, Ryan Purcell, Jacques Neville, Tomás Murphy , Cillian Hanrahan, Danny Fitzhenry, Dylan Purcell, David Nolan and Ciarán Murphy.
Well done to the boys and their management team of Conor Mc Donald, Aidan Lawless and John Kavanagh.
Ballindaggin Team: David Nolan, James Aylward, Padraig Waters, Ciarán Murphy, Danny Fitzhenry, Noel Cowman, James Lawless, Kian Murphy, Josh Doyle, Robbie Chapman, Dylan Purcell, Michael Murphy, Ryan Purcell. Subs: Sean Hyland, Liam redmond, Brian Roban, Blaise Kearney, Tomás Murphy, Cillian Hanrahan, James McHugh, Brian Murphy, James Murphy, James Sheridan, Sean Redmond, Killian Walsh, Mikey Quigley, Ray Barnes, Tom Cloney, John Kavanagh, Tomas Walsh and Jacques Neville.
A special thanks to Jim Cooper and Jim Hanrahan for their weekly coaching since September here in Kiltealy N.S. They have great knowledge of the game and show huge spirit and passion which transfers onto the players. A word of thanks to Keith Murphy who joined the coaching team in the school in recent months. Their time and effort is greatly appreciated!