Well done to everyone involved in today's We are Dublin Senior 3,4 and 5 championship finals at O'Toole Park. Excellent organisation, competitive games, great sportsmanship and skill, large attendances and good weather - could you ask for more in mid October?

Goals prove decisive as Whitehall take Senior 5 title.

Whitehall Colmcilles 5-06 Cumann Baire Chaoimhín 1-07

Whitehall with a strong breeze at their back made the early running in this game putting the CBC defence under hugge pressure. But after 10 minutes they had only 1-01 to show for their efforts - the result of brave defending by CBC – a goal from full forward Kate Murphy and a pointed free from Meggan O’Reilly. CBC’s first real attack of the game brought them a point from play from Louise Brennan. The play ebbed and flowed over the next 10 minutes with only a single point separating the teams after 22 minutes 1-03 to 1-04. But a late Kate Mulvey goal and a fabulous long range pointed free by Meggan O’Reilly gave Whitehall a four point lead at the break. Half time score Whitehall 2-05 CBC 1-04.

We wondered what effect the strong breeze would have on the second half. Player of the match Meggan O’Reilly set the pace for the second with a well taken goal after 5 minutes. CBC played valiantly but the Whitehall defenders kept them to a solitary point from a 45 in the first 10 minutes. 2 goals in the space of 3 minutes by full forward and captain Kate Mulvey established an unassailable lead for Whitehall. CBC mounted attack after attack but the Whitehall defence prevented them for getting the goals they so desperately needed. They did add a couple of points but Whitehall ran out winners 5-06 to 1-7 – a score line that scarcely does justice to the fine performance from CBC. Final score Whitehall 5-06 CBC 1-07

Scorers:

Whitehall: Kate Mulvey 3-00, Shaunagh Harte 1-01, Amy Quinn 1-01, Meggan O’Reilly 0-03, Amanda Walton 0-01

CBC: Emma Young 1-02, Louise Brennan 0-03, Frances Cleary and Claire Graham 0-01 each.

Player of the match: Meggan O’Reilly (Whitehall)

Referee: Shay Hurson (Lucan Sarsfields)

Photos fromSenior 5 final Whitehall v CBC

Again goals prove decisive as Naomh Padraig take Senior 4 honours.

This was a very enjoyable final even if at times it was difficult to distinguish players as both sets of jerseys were similar. Playing against the wind in the first half Cuala started the more assured and had 2 early points of the board courtesy of wing forward Jennifer Dunne. But Cuala were not to score again until the 23rd minute. This was due to the resolute defending of the Naomh Padraig backs, especially goalkeeper Karen Cassidy who made some vital saves. During this period Naomh Padraig scored 1-06 without reply thus setting down the foundation for their victory. Cuala did finish the half strongly with 3 unanswered points of their own to leave the half time score Naomh Padraig 1-06 Cuala 0-5.

Again we wondered what effect the breeze would have on the second half. Naomh Padraig opened the scoring with a pointed free from Niamh Gaff. Cuala replied with points from Blaithin Lane and Sinead Murphy.  Cuala were playing well, running at the Naomh Padraig defence. They had their chances and they will surely rue the many missed chances and wides during this period of play. 2 quick Whitehall goals, one from Sadhbh Duffy and the other a hand passed effort from Katie O’Brien mid-way through the half were to prove decisive. Cuala added 2 points from Sinead Murphy and a goal from Hanna O’Dea but the 2 quick goals midway through the half was the difference between these good well-matched sides. Final score Naomh Padraig 3-09 Cuala 1-09 sides.

Scorers:

Naomh Padraig: Sadhbh Duffy 2-02, Kate  O’Brien 1-03, Niamh Gaff 0-02, Cliona Ward and Caoimhe Larkin 0-01 each

Cuala: Sinead Murphy 0-03, Blaithin Lane 0-03, Hanna O’Dea 1-00, Jennifer Dunne 0-02 and Sinead Wylde 0-01

Player of the match: Karen Cassidy (Naomh Padraig)

Referee: Peter Cummins(St. Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh)

Photos from Senior 4 final Naomh Padraig v Cuala

Kilmacud Crokes win thrilling Senior 3 championship final replay.

The drawn game between Crokes and Faughs in Abbotstown was exciting. Sunday’s replay at O’Toole Park was if anything more exciting as both these excellent sides battled for the Senior 3 honours and the right to go forward to the Leinster Intermediate championship. It was fast, competitive, exciting, skilful, full of all the things we like about camogie. Both teams had huge support.

Faughs played with a strong breeze in the first half. But it was Crokes who opened the scoring with a pointed free from wing forward Sorcha Meagher. Faughs responded with 4 unanswered points opening up a three point lead. Crokes replied with a well taken goal by Emer O’Rafferty to leave the sides level 1-0I to 0-04 midway through the half. Frees given away by Crokes were proving costly as Faughs scored the next 3 points from frees courtesy of the accurate Catherine Costello. Sorcha Meagher and Frances McCann exchanged points. On the 30th minute of the half Crokes levelled the match with their second goal by Sorcha Meagher. In time added on Kate Holland sent over the last point of the half to give Faughs a slender one point lead. Half time score Faughs 0-09 Crokes 2-02.

Again we wondered what effect the breeze would have on the second half. Playing with the wind Crokes started well with points from Michelle Hurley and Sorcha Meagher to give them a one point lead. Theresa Timmons goal on 6 minutes had Faughs back in front again by 2 points. Crokes had stopped giving away frees which cost them 5 points in the first half.  On 10 minutes Julia Buckley sent over the best point of the game to reduce the lead to a single point. The pace had picked up. There was some excellent play taking place all over the field, hooking, blocking, running with and off the ball from both sides with defences generally on top. Kerrie Kerrigan pointed for Faughs while Sorcha Meagher added a Crokes point having received a great pass from Siofra Walsh who was working tirelessly and making some telling runs at the Faughs defence. On 20 minutes came the decisive score of the half - Julia Buckley lashed the sliotar to the Faughs net. Crokes ahead by 2. What excitement as both sides did everything in their power to win. Catherine Costello (Faughs) and Sorcha Meagher (Crokes) exchanged points. Still 2 points between the teams. What excitement. When the final whistle sounded Crokes had won by that narrow 2 point margin -  Final score Kilmacud Crokes 3-07 to Faughs Celtic 1-11.

Well done to both teams on an excellent game of camogie.

Scorers:

Kilmacud Crokes: Sorcha Meagher 1-05, Julia Buckley 1-01, Emer O’Rafferty 1-00 and Michelle O’Hurley 0-01

Faughs Celtic: Catherine Costello 0-07 (6 frees and one 45) Theresa Timmons 1-00, Frances McCann 0-02 and Kate Holland 0-01.

Player of the match: Aisling Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes)

Referee: Jenny Bryne

Photos from Senior 3 replay Kilmacud v Faughs