It was heartbreak for our senior camogie team on Saturday when they lost to Ballycran in the Ulster B Final at the Morgan Athletic Grounds, Armagh. The game was played in near perfect conditions and Eglish began the match at a blistering pace and were first to register on the scoreboard after just three minutes. There was a lot of play in and around the centre of the field with plenty of strong exchanges and fighting for possession. Ballycran leveled matters before Eglish were rewarded with good play when Ailsing Jordan scored a goal from a looping ball from Annette Jordan. There then followed a series of wides from both sides before a mazy run by Ciara Donnelly resulted in a point from over 30 metres out.
Ballycran won a lot of loose ball but were unable to take full advantage of the possession. Ciara McGready and Julie Lagan were always at hand whenever a threat of a real breakthrough arose. The Eglish defence stayed strong despite the relentless pressure and again the sliotar seemed to favour Ballycran when the ball released from many bunched situations. With only a few minutes of the first half remaining Eglish found themselves all square when Ballycran were able to take their frees and find some space to score from open play. At half time it was Eglish 1-02, Ballycran 0-05.
Just before the break Eglish introduced Niamh McNulty and with just five minutes of the second half gone she was rewarded with a point from open play. Ballycran hit a series of wides which was due in most part to the determination and eagerness of the Eglish players applying pressure. Both teams played with determination and the tension was high as every ball was fought for and neither side gave an inch. Ballycran continued to apply the pressure and soon had another two points within as many minutes. There then followed another series of near misses from both sides before Ciara Donnelly again went on a run before scoring a point.
There was another gathering of players near the touchline and it appeared Lagan was pushed to the ground but the decision went in favour of the Down club to the amazement of the Eglish players. It was from that resulting play that they scored a point to take the lead. Susan McCann then went on a run and scored to level the game with only a few minutes to go. The match looked sure to end in a draw but Ballycran broke clear to score the winning goal.
The final score was Eglish 1-05, Ballycran 1-08. Eglish scorers were Ciara Donnelly 0-03, Aisling Jordan1-00, Niamh McNulty 0-01, Susan McCann 0-01.
