Our Intermediates took on Myshall, the Carlow champions, in the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship Quarter Final on Sunday 15th October in Tom Ryall Park in front of a large home crowd. It was going to be a tough battle as Myshall are last years All-Ireland Intermediate club winners.
The girls started well with Caoimhe Murphy kicking off the scoring for the Kilkenny champions in the 4th minute. Two minutes later the girls built on this when Aisling Dunphy sent in a long range ball which ended up in the back of the net. Two consecutive frees for Myshall were converted leaving two points between the teams. These were to be Myshall’s last scores of the half thanks to great work from the St. Brigid’s backs. It was a tough twenty minutes to follow but the girls converted five more points, Caoimhe converting three frees and a 45 and Marie Doheny getting her name on the scorers list with a well taken point from a solo run up the wing. This put the girls seven points up at half time – 1-6 to 2 points.
Two quick frees for Myshall after the restart meant the gap closed to five. Caoimhe scored her fifth free after five minutes and again soon after, Myshall put another over the bar. The next few minutes were a continuous scramble for possession with both teams showing a serious level of physicality. Caoimhe put over yet another free to see the girls six points clear. The last ten minutes were full of controversial decisions and Myshall converted a 45 in the 20th minute. Myshall were on the attack and were heading for goal when they were denied by Bronagh Neary who pulled off a wonder save. Myshall got two quick goals in the 25th and 26th minute which put the Carlow girls a point ahead but St. Brigid’s kept their cool and midfielder Aisling Dunphy scored a fantastic point in the 29th minute to level the sides. Just when the game looked to be going to extra time Myshall scored a well taken point from play in the 32nd minute of the half which ended the girls chances of progressing further in the Leinster Championship. It was a heartbreaking loss for the girls and they didn’t deserve to lose after their performance but the full time score was 2-7 to 1-9.
Team and scorers as follows: Bronagh Neary, Sarah Mockler, Nicola Butler, Tara Walsh, Ann Doheny, Amy O’Connor, Laoise Prendiville, Aisling Dunphy (1-1) Laura Hennessy (joint captain), Eimear Keoghan, Laureena Murphy, Caoimhe Murphy (0-7, 6 frees 1 45) Kym Ryan, Sarah Dunphy, Marie Doheny (0-1). Subs: Miriam Walton, Tara Hogan, Katie Brennan, Anna Robinson, Claire Quigley, Emma Boland, Therese Purcell, Christine Caldbeck, Celine O’Dwyer, Kayleigh Nolan, Niamh O’Connor, Therese Muldowney (joint captain), Siun Corcoran.
Thank you to the fantastic local support the girls received on the day, it was very much appreciated. Thank you to the Ronan Family for their work on the pitch and grounds and to anyone who helped in the making of refreshments and in the kitchen. We would like to thank our management of James Logue, Deirdre Prendiville and Ann-Marie Hoyne for the massive effort put in all year. They were truly fantastic and we would not have senior status for next year without them. INTERMEDIATE COUNTY CHAMPIONS 2017!