TOOREEN hurling club, Co.Mayo pulled out all the stops at the weekend when they hosted the Gala All-Ireland Junior Camogie championship with five counties taking part, host county Mayo, Donegal, Monaghan, Carlow and for the first time ever Europe.

Carlow were the eventual winners when they overcame a very spirited Monaghan side, 0-10 to 1-3 in the final when the Leinster county took the Corn Máire Ni Chinnéide Cup for the very first time.

It was a historic day for Mayo camogie who were managed by Daryl Henry when they opened the day with Europe taking on Mayo in what was Europe's first ever championship game, but sadly the host side proved too strong for the visitors who were managed by Tony Bass, the former Cuala club (Dublin). All sides won and lost during hr day except for the Europeans.

The weather was kind during the day with just a little rain at times, but with so many games between the two venues, Tooreen and Aughamore it was enough to keep all the visitors happy. During the day the eventual finalists Carlow and Monaghan played each other where just four points separated the sides in favour of Carlow where captain Valerie Crean showed her great determination with a total of 1-3 while Monaghan put in a superb performance where the player of the Tournament Isabel Kieran showed real style with brilliant spurts of pace up front during this game and throughout the day.

Following a total of 20 games before the final took place in Tooreen Hurling club ground between Monaghan and Carlow. Following a tight game between these two sides during the earlier game it was always expected to be a close game and so the crowd were treated to a fine final with the girls from the Black Stairs mountains having a superb full back in long serving player Mary Coady who several times denied the challengers on many occasions.

Carlow captain, Valerie Crean set the pace for the final with a peach of a point after just thirty two seconds. Both sides showed real determination and were equally encouraged by their mentors on the sideline. By half time Carlow were ahead 0-6 to Monaghan's 0-1, the Ulster pointed free coming from player of the Tournament Isabel just before the break.

The second half saw Carlow continue in the same style as they did in the opening half with two further Valerie Crean frees inside the first ten minutes. Monaghan's Aisling Mc Elvaney narrowed the gap with her side's second pointed free of the day. Both sides then exchanged points inside the next few minutes before Monaghan were given a real lifeline with a goal from half forward Aisling Mc Elvaney, but with it went the whistle and so Carlow lifted their first ever All-Ireland championship title.

It was a crowning moment for captain Crean who has now added her only All-Ireland medal to two Leinster junior championship medals as well as a Leinster Junior Gael-Linn medal. With a large panel, one feels that it will not be long before Monaghan will capture All-Ireland glory.

Details of Final:

Carlow: 0-10: V Crean 0-9 (0-5f), Margaret Coady 0-1.
Monaghan:1-3:A Mc Elvaney 1-1, I Kieran, E Mc Elroy 0-1 each.