Well done to St. Brigid’s Intermediate Camogie team who are through to the County Final after a great Semi Final win over Gowran. After losing by two points to Gowran two weeks previous, the girls were out for revenge and were determined to book a place in this year’s final.
Clara was the venue for what was guaranteed to be a thriller of a game. The match started off with great intensity and after two minutes free-taker Caoimhe Murphy started off the scoring with a converted point from a free. Eimear Keoghan snatched the puck out and went on a solo run which resulted in the first score from play. Caoimhe converted her second free of the game soon after. This put St. Brigid’s up by three points in the first six minutes of the game. Gowran got their first point from the half line in the 9th minute after a great battle at midfield for the puck out. Serious play from the backs to ensure a goal was not on the cards for Gowran meant they got three frees in two minutes and they were put over the bar. The backs were putting in trojan work to keep Gowran out and they were not given a chance to gain access to the goal. After fourteen minutes full forward Sarah Dunphy found an opening in the Gowran full back line and rattled the back of the net. This put the girls ahead by a goal and gave them a boost as Marie Doheny followed up with her first point of the game soon after. Gowran got two more frees and put over both which left them only a goal behind again at 1-6 to 0-6. Centre forward Laureena Murphy put the girls four points ahead in the 20th minute and Marie soon followed with her second point. Ann Doheny at half back was unstoppable and won any ball that came near her. Late in the half, goalie Bronagh Neary made an excellent save from a penalty and soon after a second penalty was slotted over the bar for the opposition. The half was finished off with a point from Caoimhe from a free. Half time score 1-9 to 8 points.
The girls came out in the second half with only a win in mind. Gowran converted a free in the second minute but this was to be their last score for 26 minutes. Throughout the half, St. Brigid’s were awarded many frees and Caoimhe Murphy hit the target every time. There were great battles throughout the field and after 26 minutes the girls were nine points ahead. Gowran however, got a burst of urgency and found a gap in the St. Brigid’s backs and hit the bullseye in the 28th minute. Their momentum built and after winning possession three minutes later following a fierce battle at midfield, Gowran scored another goal in extra time to narrow the gap to three points. It was too late for the opposition to pull back the difference and the girls ran out three point winners, booking their place in the county final. Final score 1-15 to 2-9.
Team and scorers as follows:
Bronagh Neary, Sarah Mockler, Nicola Butler, Tara Walsh, Ann Doheny, Amy O’Connor, Laoise Prendiville, Aisling Dunphy, Laura Hennessy, Eimear Keoghan (0-2) Laureena Murphy (0-1 1 free) Caoimhe Murphy (0-10, 9 frees, 1 45) Marie Doheny (0-2) Sarah Dunphy (1-0) Kym Ryan.
Subs: Tara Hogan for Sarah Mockler. Miriam Walton, Katie Brennan, Anna Robinson, Claire Quigley, Emma Boland, Therese Purcell, Celine O’Dwyer, Christine Caldbeck, Kayleigh Nolan.
The girls now take on Clara on Sunday 8th October in MW Hire Training Centre, Dunmore at 12pm. Please support the girls as they hope to bring home the silverware. Best of luck to all.