In an exciting weekend for camogie clubs across Galway, Roscommon and Mayo, Liam Mellows (Galway) and Oran (Roscommon) met for the Pat Barrett Cup Final on Saturday November 18th, in the Connacht GAA Air Dome, Bekan.
Pat Barrett Cup 2023
Liam Mellows v Oran (Roscommon)
18 Nov, 5pm
Venue: Connacht GAA Dome, Bekan
Ref: David Earls
FT: Liam Mellows 1-17 Oran 2-9
Player of the Match: Niamh McPeake, Liam Mellows
Back row (L-R): John Burke (selector), Ciara Hughes, Ciara Dolan, Jennifer Burke, Ciara Morrissey, Ruth Elwood, Aoife Elwood, Roisin Hughes, Aoibhe Coyne, Christina Walsh, Aoife Finnerty, Ria McPhilbin, Chloe Folan, Ellen Burke, Kate O’Grady, Laoise McDonnell, Adrian McGrath (Coach), Gayle Kealy (Selector), Tarla Dunne (Selector)
Front row (L-R): Niamh McPeake, Aoife McPeake, Ciara Grealish, Danielle Grealish, Ava Kelehan, Chloe Walker, Grace O’Donovan, Eva McLoughlin, Léana Nic Dhonncha, Sophie Keville, Ciara O’Sullivan, Sinead Folan (VC), Abby Fox Carr, Saoirse Benson, Kevin Flynn (Manager), Michelle Hourigan (C)
Missing from photo: Ewan Cunningham and Colm Ó’Fátharta (S&C)
Presentation of Pat Barrett Cup and Player of the Match Award by Brian Molloy, Connacht Camogie Chairperson
Match Report
By Sarah Gaughran (Connacht Camogie PRO)
Liam Mellows claimed their first ever Connacht Camogie title on Saturday in the Connacht GAA Air Dome when they overcame Oran of Roscommon in the Pat Barrett final. A strong second half by the city side helped in getting them over the line in a tightly contested contest between the two sides.
Ciara Dolan opened the scoring for Liam Mellows on the 2nd minute. Andrea Fallon hit the net for Oran on the eight minute to give them the lead in the game. Frees from Roisin Hughes and Niamh McPeake brough the sides level by the 13th minute. Gráinne Whyte and McPeake swapped scores on the 15th and 16th minutes. Fallon put Oran back in the lead a minute later with a well taken score from play but a point from Hughes and a McPeake point, put Liam Mellows in the lead by the slimmest of margin by the 19th minute. Orla Connolly responded with two frees for Oran while McPeake added another free in injury time to leave the sides level at half time.
A strong second half showing by the Liam Mellows was key to their victory. A free through McPeake and points from Danielle Grealish and Dolan, put Liam Mellows into a three point lead after 3 minutes into the second half. Fallon added another free to her tally but a point from Chloe Folan and a McPeake free extended Liam Mellows lead even further by the 42nd minute of the half. Connolly got her opening score from play on the midway point of the half but 1-2 from Liam Mellows in the space of four minutes made it look like it was going to be Liam Mellows day. A goal through Folan on the 45th minute and points from Aoife Elwood and a free from McPeake extended their lead to eight with 11 minutes of normal time remaining. Oran didn’t give up, however. Two Hazel Kelly points and a point from Fallon reduced the deficit to five. Liam Mellows hit back with two McPeake frees and a point from Ciara Morrissey. Shauna McDermott did sneak a penalty in injury time for Oran but it wasn’t enough as Liam Mellows ran out 1-17 to 2-9 on the day.
Liam Mellows will be able to put all the disappointment of the last few years behind them as they can now add the Pat Barrett trophy to their role of honour for 2023. For Oran, they put in a gallant effort and they have been unlucky to loose out in a final for the second time in two weeks. Mellows ability to take their points was key to the victory. Oran will have to regroup again and put the disappointment behind them as they embark on the 2024 season.
ADDITIONAL REPORT
- 24/11/2023 Connacht crown for Mellows – Connacht/City Tribune
- 23/11/2023 Delight for Mellows as second half blitz secures Connacht title – Galway Advertiser
Match Photos
Photo credit: Don Soules Photography – View all match images
PAT BARRETT CUP MATCH PREVIEW
The second final to take to the field on Saturday will be the Pat Barrett final when Liam Mellows take on Oran of Roscommon (5pm).
Liam Mellows made it third time lucky in Galway as they captured the Junior A title that had eluded them in 2022 and 2021. This title was one that was cherished by all of the players as they were very unlucky to loose out by the slimest of margins. They were one of the stand out teams in the Galway Junior A Championship with some very convincing victories along the way and they will really want to continue their winning streak and add the Pat Barrett Connacht title to their role of honour for 2023.
Facing Liam Mellows in the Final will be Oran. Oran twelve point victors over Four Roads in the Senior B final on the 22nd of October. Oran put in a massive second half performance with a fifteen point turn around. They were 1-5 to 0-5 down at half time but they outscored Four Roads 3-7 to 0-2 to take the title and book their place in today’s final while also taking home the Senior B title in Roscommon. There will be very little between the sides. Oran will need to ensure they keep Liam Mellows goal scoring opportunities to a minimum after they netted five goals in the Galway Junior A county final while Liam Mellows will be hoping that Oran don’t get a run on them like they did to Four Roads in the Roscommon Senior B final. There will be very little between the sides with plenty of scoring threats on both sides.
