Wall major the difference as Mooncoin rock Carrickshock

Mooncoin 1.10 Carrickshock 0.09

By Moondarrig.

A Laura Wall goal in first half added time proved the decisive score in this absorbing Iverk produce Junior camogie County semi-final.

Credit to the host club Kilmacow for having the pitch playable given the significant rainfall in the previous 48 hour, and to the teams for performing so skilfully in difficult underfoot conditions.

The game got off to a nervy start, each team shooting an early wide until Mooncoin ace Deirdre Walsh opened the scoring with a superb point from play from out on the right wing.  Carrickshock followed with by a pointed free from the impressive Aine Rohan. When a Lorraine Delahunty point for Mooncoin was matched by another Rohan free it was clear we were in for a treat and Mooncoins early season double-digit victory over this opposition was not going to be replicated.

Carrickshock took control of the middle third and hit two wides followed by a point from play and a free both from Rohan with a well struck Laura Wall point in between for Mooncoin. Mooncoin then shot two long frees wides and at the end of first half normal time Carrickshock led by a point. However, the first act wasn’t over, and the games decisive score came in first half added time when Mooncoins Laura Wall grabbed the ball from a dipping Walsh free and shook the rainsoaked Carrickshock net for a super goal, giving the excellent Denise Kenneally in goal for Carrickshock no chance. John Walsh’s short whistle sounded soon after with Mooncoin going into the break 1.03 to 0-4 ahead leaving both sets of damp supporters excitedly anticipating an equally full blooded second half!

Mooncoin started the second half in determined fashion and rattled off four unanswered scores, the first a Sarah Crowley penalty which flew over the bar followed by two Lauren Comerford scores and another Walsh score in between, Mooncoin now had the momentum on their side and were dominating the middle third. To Carrickshocks credit they rallied and excellent work by the livewire Mairead Power and Niamh Dunphy drew two frees, dispatched expertly over the bar by Rohan and broken by a Power point from play. The contest was reaching boiling point. Walsh pointed another free for Mooncoin followed by the best score of the match from Mairead Power whose hard running was causing all sorts of problems for the Mooncoin defence.

With only a puck of a ball between the sides it was anyone’s game. Deirdre Walsh pointed a difficult free to give Mooncoin a four-point lead and Carrickshock again rallied, with great determination the ball was worked to Power who took off for goal but was dragged down before reaching the danger area by a teak tough Mooncoin defence. Rohan pointed the resultant free and Carrickshock drove forward for the levelling score, but the ball was turned over and Comerford was found unmarked in space and she duly finish another excellent team score for Mooncoin to make the game safe.

Game over, John Walsh whose amicable style of refereeing contributed handsomely to a super event sounded the final whistle to the joy of Mooncoin and disappointment of Carrickshock.

Carrickshock produced a performance that they can be proud of, they have leaders throughout the field, and they should not be long for Junior status given the talent present today.

For Mooncoin the reward is a second County Final in a row, and one expects having learned from last year they will be hard bet. They have excellent players dotted around the field and have more than enough ability to make it a memorable weekend for the ancient game in the parish that the likes of Richard “Drug” Walsh and the Doyle’s of Dournane would be proud of!

Scorers – Mooncoin – Deirdre Walsh 0-4 (3f), Laura Wall 1-1, Lauren Comerford 0-3, Lorraine Delahunty 0-1, Sarah Crowley 0-1 pen

Carrickshock – Aine Rohan 0-7 (6f), Mairead Power 0-2

Mooncoin – Ellen Crowley, Eimear Quilty, Niamh Madden, Marianne Walsh, Emily Crowley, Sarah Crowley, Mairead Corcoran, Laura Dillon Dunphy, Niamh Fleming, Deirdre Walsh, Roisin Crowley, Lauren Comerford, Niamh Crowley, Laura Wall, Eva Aylward

Subs – Amy Lehane, Eimear Fleming, Shauna Walsh, Lorraine Delahunty, Kate Kearns, Caitriona Bowe, Evelyn Hayes, Kate Henebery, Sarah Hayes, Hannah Roche, Aoife Purcell, Hannah Cooney, Emma Heweston, Jean O’Hanlon

Carrickshock – Denise Kenneally, Shannon Wall, Jenny Dunne, Emily Carroll, Sabrina Walsh, Kiah Dwyer, Kerri Dunne, Aine Rohan, Faye Lanigan, Aisling O’Farrell, Niamh Dunphy, Margaret Irish, Fiona Phelan, Eabha Carroll, Orlaith O’Shea

Subs – Kate Blanchfield, Caoimhe Mason, Grainne Barron, Christine Power, Laura Irish, Caoimhe Daly, Roisin Murphy, Mairead Power, Sarah Healy, Lydia Phelan, Marie Barron