Well done to our intermediates on getting through to the county semi final. They played Clara in a very tough quarter final last Sunday 28th September.
From the throw in it was a tough, high intensity game. Clara were the first on the scoreboard with a point from their half forward line. Serious work from midfielders Aisling Dunphy and Laura Hennessy and the half back line meant the forwards were getting plenty of ball and the first score came from Laureena Murphy in the 8th minute. Soon after Antoinette Power followed with another.
Two scores went over for Clara before the next St. Brigid’s score when Bronagh Neary put the sliotar over the bar from a tough angle. Laureena scored the next point for the girls from a free. Only two minutes later a goal went in for Clara after they saw a hole in the St. Brigid’s defense. The girls didn’t let this get to them and they battled on and fought hard until half time. St. Brigid’s were awarded a penalty soon after and Aisling Dunphy put it in the back of the net. This was to be the girls last score before half time. The opposition were then given their own turn at a penalty but it was blocked and cleared quickly by the backs. Caoimhe Murphy came on for Amy Hennessy and Sarah Dunphy came on for Tara Hogan before the half time whistle.
The score was level at half time, 1-5 to 1-5.
In the second half the girls came out with a new hunger and Bronagh Neary opened the scoring with a point. Our next two scores came from a 45 and a free, both from Aisling. The next three scores came in the next three minutes when points were converted by Therese Muldowney, Laureena Murphy and Aisling Dunphy. Clara answered this with two points of their own. Again the next three scores came up one after the other from the same St. Brigid’s players. Great work from the backs and midfielders ensured plenty of great ball was fed to the forwards. Substitute changes were made later on in the second half, Aisling Kelly came on for Bronagh, Lena Butler for Antoinette Power and Miriam Walton for Ann Doheny. Brilliant defending from the backs ensured that Clara were denied a platform for attacks. A few great saves were made to make certain that no goals were conceeded in the second half. Therese Muldowney was to be the last scorer of the game in the 31st minute with an expertly taken goal. This sealed the St. Brigid’s victory and they went home winners on a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-12.
Team and scorers as follows:
Emma Boland, Sarah Mockler, Nicola Butler, Amy Hennessy, Ciara Murphy, Therese Muldowney(1-02), Tara Hogan, Aisling Dunphy(1-05, 1 free 1 45), Laura Hennessy, Ann Doheny, Laureena Murphy(0-4, 1 free), Amy O’Connor, Antoinette Power(0-1), Bronagh Neary(0-2), Marie Doheny(0-1).
Subs: Sarah Dunphy, Caoimhe Murphy, Aisling Kelly, Lena Butler, Miriam Walton.
The girls now play the semi final on Saturday next at 12pm against St. Anne’s in Bennetsbridge.