Abbott Intermediate Championship Semi Final
Mooncoin v’s St. Lachtains
Venue: Dicksboro GAA & Camogie Club
On a beautiful Autumn afternoon in Dicksboro GAA & Camogie Grounds, the pitch was soft but overall conditions couldn’t be better as Mooncoin and St Lachtain’s went head-to-head to earn a place in the Abbott Intermediate Championship Final.
The opening minutes saw both teams battle for possession and dominance. Mooncoin opened the scoring with the in form Sarah Crowley taking her first point from a free in the 3rd minute. St. Lachtain’s’ Julieanne Bergin quickly followed this up with a point also from a placed ball. However, it was Mooncoin who opened up their lead with a goal which is credited to Aine Aylward after it rebounded into the goal. Mooncoin’s Eve Dunphy, playing at mid field added to the scoreline with a well taken individual point. Both teams were settling into the game at this stage and St. Lachtain’s Abi Whitty responded with a superb point after been picked out by Lydia Fitzpatrtick at midfield. The next ten minutes brought a very entertaining battle as St. Lachtain’s defence with Caoimhe Hickey and Ciara Hickey covering the back line and equally Marianne Walsh and Mairead Corcoran working hard at the other end. Mooncoin’s Sarah Crowley soon added a 45 to the scoreline but it was her impressive workrate and speed towards the St. Lachtain’s goal that saw her take their second goal of the game! A minute later, Niamh Crowley added a point to Mooncoin’s scoreline which put them well in control. Both teams battled relentlessly over the next ten minutes with St. Lachtain’s Julieanne Bergin adding a point from a free and Mooncoin’s Lauren Comerford adding two points from play and Sarah Crowley pointing a free to leave the half time score at Mooncoin 2-7 St Lachtain’s 0-3.
The second half of this semi-final brought much more excitement and entertainment to the large crowd gathered in Palmerstown. St. Lachtain’s came out of the dressing room with determination and drive. St. Lachtains’ centre back, Lydia Fitzpatrick opened the scoring after tussling hard for the sliotar and then striking it superbly over the bar. Substitute, Kate Dalton, who had been introduced to the St. Lachtain’s full forward line at half time, added another point for St. Lachtain’s as they began to take a better hold of the match. Six minutes later, Dalton added her second point and dangerous corner forward Abi Whitty, added her second point of the game also. St. Lachtain’s were working well with some lovely team play and were rewarded with a free which Michelle Killeen put over the bar. Mooncoin did respond well to St. Lachtain’s revival and with diligent work from their forwards, Sarah Crowley slotted two frees over the bar. But St. Lachtain’s were still hungry for scores. After a free was awarded to them at midfield, the high ball was broken down in the Mooncoin square and Kate Dalton reacted by kicking the ball to the back of the net. The ending to this game was a tense one. St. Lachtain’s Michelle Killeen followed up with a point from a free but Mooncoin managed to hold on and Keelin Henebery replied with a well worked point of her own. Both teams never showed signs of backing down and this gripping encounter ended with Mooncoin progressing to another Intermediate Camogie Final.
Final Score: Mooncoin 2-10 St. Lachtain’s 1-9
Mooncoin: Ellen Crowley, Marianne Walsh, Mairead Corcoran, Emily Crowley, Eimear Quilty, Muireann Gannon, Molly Quinn, Eve Dunphy, Hannah Cooney, Sarah Crowley, Lauren Comerford, Emily Cooney, Aine Aylward, Niamh Crowley, Roisin Crowley.
St. Lachtain’s: Katelyn O’Connor, Carmel Maher, Ciara Hickey, Caoimhe Hickey, Ava Dermody, Lydia Fitzpatrick, Caoimhe Bergin, Aoife Ryan, Isabel Carroll, Courtney Burke, Emma Bergin, Chloe Dooley, Julieanne Bergin, Abi Whitty, Michelle Killeen.
By PRO Sat 10th Oct
