St. Marks best in mud bath.
Well done to St. Marks and St. Finians who played this Senior 7 championship final in dreadful conditions in O’Toole Park this afternoon. Mud, strong winds and lashing rain made spectacular Camogie impossible. But both sides gave everything to the cause.
In a rain-soaked first half scores were hard to come by with defences on top throughout. This was the story of the game! St. Finians took the lead when their centre forward Louise Green sent over a hard won point. St. Marks wing forward Christine Aherne gave the Southsiders the lead with a cracking goal. Both sides continued to battle it out until half time.
The second half was a game within a game with Finians doing most of the attacking in the earlier part of the half. St. Marks defense was under huge pressure but good defending, missed frees and several wides meant that St. Finians didn’t add to the scoreboard . Then it was St. Marks turn to mount sustained attacks for most of the latter stages of the second half. Again resolute defending, missed chances and many wides ensured that St. Marks did not add to their total. Just when it seemed that St. Finians had weathered the storm (pun intended!) St. Marks were awarded a free about 25 yards out from goals near the sideline. Martina O’Connor’s well struck free went into the net to give St. Marks a five point led going into injury time. Final score St. Marks 2-00 St. Finnians 0-01. St. Marks Senior 7 champions!
St. Finnians disappointment was somewhat alleviated when An Rúnaí, Brendan Cooper, announced that they had won the Senior 7 league. An unusual after match presentation followed as the winners were presented with the championship cup and the runners-up received their league trophy.
Well done to both sets of players in very difficult conditions.
More photos from this game