Well done to our Intermediate team who have booked a place in this year’s county final!
They beat St. Anne’s last Saturday 4th October in Bennettsbridge in a great game of camogie.
It was a tough battle from the start with everyone putting in 100%. The St. Brigid’s defense were strong and made some great clearances to the midfielders and half forward lines. The first score didn’t come until the 8th minute when Laureena Murphy put the ball in the back of the net. St. Anne’s won the puck out but put the ball wide. They got two frees and converted both and also put a point over from play before Aisling Dunphy scored our first point of the game. This put the girls ahead by a point. The opposition then scored two further points and Aisling replied with a point from a 65. In the 21st minute St. Anne’s put over their last score of the first half. Two minutes later they made an attack on goal and the ball ended up in the back of the net, this goal was disallowed and a free was given to the girls.
From here the girls pushed on and took control, Aisling scored another free and Bronagh Neary rattled the back of the net with three minutes to go. Great work at midfield from Amy O’Connor and Laura Hennessy meant that the forwards were fed plenty of ball. Brilliant work from the backs meant St. Anne’s didn’t get a look in and our forwards were also doing great defending which meant the ball spent a lot of time in our forwards. Another free was converted and Marie Doheny put the ball over with the last puck of the first half. The girls went in at the end of the first half 5 points up with a score of 2-5 to 0-6.
The girls came out in the second half with the hunger of wanting to reach a county final. The first two scores of the second half came straight after each other, 2 frees from Aisling. St. Anne’s first score came soon after and it was a deflected goal from a free that dropped in around the square. It was turning into a very physical game and a lot of frees were given in the second half. The opposition followed with another two points before Marie Doheny and Antoinette Power put over a point each. St. Anne’s were awarded a penalty but it was stopped and cleared. Eleven minutes into the second half Antoinette found the net for St Brigid’s which put the girls up by 7 points. Soon after St. Anne’s replied with their own unstoppable goal.
The backs didn’t let this unsettle them and they continued to supply the forwards with great ball which led to points from Marie and Bronagh in the 48th and 49th minute. The last 8 minutes of play were intense and Marie Doheny scored St. Brigid’s fourth goal in the 52nd minute. Therese Muldowney followed this goal with a point and then Laureena Murphy less than a minute later scored her 2nd goal of the game. This three minute scoring spree put the girls ahead by 11 points. Bronagh added to this with another point. St Anne’s answered with a point of their own with three minutes to go. The St Brigid’s girls fought hard to keep the lead but the St. Anne’s forwards saw an opening in the St Brigid’s defense and scored a goal. Even with this last minute score St. Anne’s were unable to close the gap and St. Brigid’s came out on top by 8 points. It was an extremely hard fought game and the girls showed great determination and work rate to put themselves through to the county final.
Final score was 5-13 to 3-11.
Team and scorers as follows:
Emma Boland, Ciara Murphy, Nicola Butler, Tara Hogan, Sarah Mockler, Therese Muldowney(0-1), Sarah Dunphy, Amy O’Connor, Laura Hennessy, Ann Doheny, Laureena Murphy(2-0), Aisling Dunphy(0-6, 4 frees 1 65), Antoinette Power(1-1), Bronagh Neary(1-2) and Marie Doheny(1-3).
Subs: Lena Butler for Antoinette Power, Amy Hennessy, Caoimhe Murphy, Aisling Kelly and Miriam Walton.
The girls now face Piltown on Saturday 11th October in the county final. Details to follow