Rivercourt Hotel Junior Championship Semi final
Tullogher 3-8 Carrickshock 1-13
Tullogher qualified for the Junior championship final for the first time in their history when they edged out Carrickshock in a dramatic conclusion to this high-quality junior championship semifinal in Mullinavat on a breezy October Sunday morning. Both of these sides travelled with high hopes after strong performances in the earlier rounds of this championship and a tight contest was expected given that the summer league final earlier this year was a one score game at the end – and this also proved to be the case for this semifinal as Tullogher snatched a victory in a heart stopping finale which seemed unlikely for long periods of the match. For Carrickshock, it was an agonising end to a fine championship run having contributed hugely to a cracking contest but they will be strong contenders for this championship going forward with an array of talented girls in their side.
The adverse weather conditions in the days leading up to this match had thankfully cleared by the morning of this match although there was a strong breeze favouring Carrickshock as both sides started into action in the first half. Both sides received huge support from their supporters which contributed to the contest as a whole and the excellent condition of the pitch in Mullinavat contributed hugely to the spectacle. Both sides had periods of dominance in the opening quarter – and this saw the sides level at 1-3 each after fifteen minutes with an opening Carrickshock goal by Katie O’Shea being cancelled out by a fine goal by Kate Lyng minutes later. At this stage, Tullogher would have been delighted with their efforts all over the field although Carrickshock then proceeded to get a grip on the contest and this saw them outscore Tullogher by 0-8 to 0-1 in the second quarter – with a number of scores from Amy O’Shea (0-5, 0-3 from frees), Aine Rohan and an excellent sideline cut two pointer from Hannah Tennyson. Tullogher did look in trouble at this time of the half time break when they trailed by 1-11 to 1-4 although they knew that with the elements in their favour in the second half, the match was still there to be won.
The third quarter saw both sides compete furiously for all breaking balls and scoring chances became less frequent let alone scores. Tullogher largely had the better of the third quarter in terms of scoring chances but a number of missed chances at this time looked like they would prove costly and the scoreline stood at 1-12 to 1-6 in the 44th minute with Carrickshock’s defence led by Olivia Dunphy, Moya O’Shea and Hannah Tennyson standing firm for them. However, Tullogher kept believing and an excellent move minutes later saw a long clearance by Leah Hanrahan to Mollie Ryan who delivered a fast ball into the inside forwards – and substitute Dearbhla Ryan was fastest to the breaking ball and crashed an unstoppable shot past Clodagh O’Neill to put the match back in the melting pot. The following minutes saw both sides trade points from Amy O’Shea (C) and Dearbhla Ryan but Carrickshock still looked likely winners as they led by two points approaching full time. However, a breaking ball into the Carrickshock 21 yard line moments later landed in the hands of the dangerous Kate Lyng and she expertedly finished to the corner of the net to the delight of the Tullogher supporters. The match was far from finished and a Carrickshock attack moments later saw them awarded a penalty which Amy O’Shea stood over with both sets of supporters barely able to watch. She bravely went for a winning goal but her well struck shot was saved by Tullogher keeper Aisling Power and this proved to be a key moments as Tullogher held onto their narrow one point lead for the remaining minutes of add on time. The celebrations of the Tullogher players and supporters afterwards showed how much it meant to all – it felt like the whole parish was there at the end – and although their never say die attitude saw them through this match, defeat was hard on Carrickshock who had looked likely winners for long periods – such is the agony and joy of championship camogie matches.
Tullogher: Aisling Power, Leah Hanrahan, Ciara Murphy, Anna Phelan, Annie Ryan, Maeve Bookle, Jane O’Shea, Sarah O’Sullivan, Katie Bookle, Mollie Ryan, Aimee Hanrahan, Rachel Murphy, Aoibhinn Ryan, Kate Lyng, Ella Nolan. Subs: Emma Barron, Aoife Cummins, Siobhan Cummins, Aoife Dooley, Linda Lawlor, Sarah Lawlor, Aine McDonald, Isabella Murphy, Ciara Nolan, Ava O’Leary, Maeve Phelan, Dearbhla Ryan, Molly Ryan, Clara Walsh, Siobhan Handrick, Jane Walsh, Ellen Murphy, Saoirse Doherty, Caoimhe Connolly, Ruby O’Leary, Laura Barron, Ciara Mullally, Eabha Doyle, Lily Ryan, Orla Murphy.
Carrickshock: Clodagh O’Neill, Roisin Murphy, Olivia Dunphy, Faye Lanigan, Moya O’Shea, Emily Carroll, Hannah Tennyson, Katie Grace, Sophie McMahon, Katie O’Shea, Aine Rohan, Eabha Carroll, Niamh Dunphy, Amy O’Shea, Orlaith O’Shea. Subs: Grainne O’Shea, Millie Gilsenan, Laura Irish, Emer Rossiter, Colleen Byrne, Aoife O’Shea, Emma Lahart, Alana Lahart, Orla Walsh, Aisling Rohan, Ivana Cahill, Jean Butler, Ena Hickey, Tara Duggan, Ciara Herity, Ria McCormack, Kate Drea.
Referee: Richie Dowling
By PRO Wed 28th Oct
