Four goal Kearney to the fore as Ballinakill NS crowned champions

Ballinakill NS 7-8 

Killeen 0-3 

BALLINAKILL NS were crowned Roinn 5 camogie champions after an impressive display saw them overcome St Abban’s NS Killeen in Wednesday’s final.

Ballinakill set the tone early and were quickly on the scoresheet when Croíadh O’Mara found the net inside the opening stages. O’Mara followed up with a point as Ballinakill made a flying start before Siun Byrne opened St Abban’s account.

O’Mara continued to cause problems for the Killeen defence throughout the opening half, adding another goal and a point to her tally.

St Abban’s goalkeeper Sarah-Kate Kidd produced an excellent save to deny O’Mara a first-half hat-trick.

Byrne responded with two points for St Abban’s, but Ballinakill finished the half strongly when Roisin Kearney struck for their third goal.

That left Ballinakill in control at the break on a scoreline of 3-3 to 0-3.

The second half followed a similar pattern as Ballinakill took complete control of proceedings.

Their defence stood firm throughout, preventing St Abban’s from finding any way back into the contest.

O’Mara opened the second-half scoring with two points, including one free, before Kearney grabbed her second goal of the afternoon.

The pair continued to add to Ballinakill’s tally as the champions pulled further clear.

Kearney completed her hat-trick midway through the half and later added a fourth goal to cap an outstanding individual display.

Katie Gowing also found the net late on, while O’Mara added another point to round off an excellent performance as Ballinakill secured the title in style.

SCORERS:

Ballinakill: Roisin Kearney 4-1, Croíadh O’Mara 2-6 (0-1f), Katie Gowing 1-0.

Killeen: Siun Byrne 0-3.

BALLINAKILL NS: Sophie McGuinness; Rachel Lawlor, Katie Gowing, Croíadh O’Mara, Róisín Kearney, Sophia Hamm, Molly-Ann Barry, Ciara Dowling, Róisín Dowling, Isabel Doyle, Alannah Bergin.

ST ABBAN’S NS KILLEEN: Sarah-Kate Kidd; Faith O’Connor, Saorlaith Kelly, Emmy McGrath, Sophia Forster, Siún Byrne, Katie Whelan, Elizabeth Cassidy, Alice O’Loughlin, Ella Kelly, Amber O’Connor, Kate Ryan.