Northern joy as St Anne’s/Emeralds advance

St Anne’s/Emeralds 3-16     Mullinavat 1-6

St Anne’s/Emeralds qualified for their first Intermediate Camogie final with a good win over a gutsy Mullinavat side in the first Marble City Travel semi-final at Palmerstown on Sunday.

The girls from the north western parishes of Galmoy, Johnstown and Urlingford surged into the lead in the second quarter with two goals in six minutes. As hard as Mullinavat battled there was no way back as the northern side kept the scoreboard ticking over

A third goal just before the second water break ended the contest, but credit to Mullinavat, they never gave up and finished strongly with Ciara Phelan bagging 1-1 before the end

As with the league game between these two sides, the opening exchanges were close. Jessica Dunphy opened the scoring with a point from 35 metres replied to quickly by Catriona Brennan. St Anne’s/Emeralds added two quick points from the excellent Mikaela Ryan and Davina Tobin before great interplay from Mullinavat saw Michelle Quilty land a fine point.

Ten minutes in and it was three points to two. Mikaela Ryan landed her second free before Michelle Quilty landed her second from play but another two quick points by Davina Tobin and Mikaela Ryan’s first from play saw the northern side pull 0-6 to 0-3 at the first water break.

St Anne’s/Emeralds were finding their rhythm and keeping plenty of pressure on the southern side.

Following the break both teams played some lovely hurling and with strong defences, it took eight minutes for the next score to arrive.

When it did, it was an important one. Emily Kavanagh won a good ball at top of the right and her shot from a tight angle drifted right across the goal, deceiving the unlucky Sarah Aylward and dropped into the net.

Six minutes later, a beautiful team move saw Davina Tobin break free and her shot from 30 metres took a wicked dip and finished in the other top corner. Two points from the unerring Ryan suddenly left Mullinavat in a tough spot as they trailed at the break St Anne’s/Emeralds 2-8, Mullinavat 0-3.

On the restart, the northern side flew out of the traps and only a brilliant double save by Sarah Aylward kept the Mullinavat goal intact. The flying Davina Tobin immediately pointed on winning the puckout and when Mikaela Ryan did the same from the other side, it would have been easy for Mullinavat to cave in.

However, that is not in their nature and they again took the fight to St Anne’s/Emeralds.

Michelle Quilty added another point from a free, and only a great intervention by Siobhan Corcoran in the St Anne’s/Emeralds goal prevented a goal. The third quarter became a little scrappy. Mikaela Ryan pointed another free for St Anne’s/Emeralds before the best quality move on display saw the game virtually ended as a contest.

Davina Tobin won the puckout and raced straight at the Mullinavat defence before releasing Niamh Leahy, the centre forward drove farther on and placed Orla Hughes with a lovely ball and with her first touch in the game, Hughes rattled the net.

The water break was a help for Mullinavat. They showed their mettle by going on the offensive, moving the experienced Elaine Aylward into midfield. Niamh Leahy added a point for St Anne’s/Emeralds before drama at the other end. Michelle Quilty picked out Aoife Woods with a delightful pass and she was pulled to the ground. Elaine Aylward took the penalty but Siobhan Corcoran saved in goal. Aylward had another crack from a 25 metre free but her wicked shot flew just over the bar.

Emma Dunphy had a goal chance at the other end following a great run but Sarah Aylward kept her out with Mikaela Ryan pointing the resultant ‘45’. Pushing forward hard, Mullinavat were left a little open at the back and twice Catriona Brennan, who had a fine game, pointed. Mullinavat finished strongly though and when Michelle Quilty cut along the endline and fed Ciara Phelan, the young forward finished delightfully, controlling and striking off the hurl in one movement, leaving Siobhan Corcoran no chance. Emma Dunphy added a fine point for St Anne’s/Emeralds before Ciara Phelan ended the scoring with the last puck of the game.

However, it was St Anne’s/Emeralds moving on to the County Intermediate Final on a scoreline of 3-16 to Mullinavat’s 1-6.

Scores – St Anne’s/Emeralds – Mikaela Ryan (0-8, 4f, 1 45), Davina Tobin (1-3), Emily Kavanagh, Orla Hughes (1-0 each), Catriona Brennan (0-3), Niamh Leahy, Emma Dunphy (0-1 each)

Mullinavat – Ciara Phelan (1-1), Michelle Quilty (0-3, 1f), Elaine Aylward (0-1, f), Jessica Dunphy (0-1)

St Anne’s/Emeralds: Siobhan Corcoran, Jessie Newman, Mollie Kavanagh, Shona Power, Niamh McCormack, Niamh Sweeney, Chloe Purcell, Davina Tobin, Eimear Leahy, Mikaela Ryan, Niamh Leahy, Catriona Brennan, Emily Kavanagh, Orlaith Curran, Emma Dunphy

Subs: Orla Hughes for O Curran, Kellie Webster for D Tobin, Lucy Kavanagh for J Newman, Megan Ryan, Karen Brennan, Aoibheann Duggan, Róisín Ahern, Ciara Queally, Emily Phelan, Eabha Brennan, Laura Power, Meghan Carroll, Emma Gleeson, Áine Duggan, Saoirse Bourke, Cora Norton, Sarah Phelan.

Mullinavat: Sarah Aylward, Michelle O’Connor, Leann Fennelly, Aoife Fitzpatrick, Mia Phelan, Elaine Aylward, Mia Phelan, Áine Kinsella, Doireann Knox, Ciara Phelan, Jessica Dunphy, Hannah Dunphy, Aoife Woods, Christine Murphy, Michelle Quilty

Subs: Ciara Walsh for M Phelan, Alison Foskin for J Dunphy, Erin Foskin for A Woods, Aisling Walsh for D Knox, Louise Rafter, Sadhba McDonnell, Ciara Woods, Sophie Bland.