Rapps rule in sporting derby
Camogie the real winner as game played in fine spirit
RAPPAREES 4-6 MARSHALSTOWN-C’RELL 3-3
AN EXCITING Under-16 camogie Roinn 2A championship final ended with a Rapparees victory at St. Patrick’s Park on Thursday, but in reality the fixture showed much more than winners and losers.
The sportsmanship and camaraderie between two neighbouring clubs was evident throughout this game, and it continued after the presentation when Rapparees invited Marshalstown-Castledockrell in to take a joint team photograph.
The hugs between rivals said it all at the full-time whistle. There wasn’t as much a celebration as a show of mutual respect between friends, and both sets of players are a credit to their clubs, their mentors and families.
On the field the game was played in a competitive spirit, with both sides giving everything for victory.
Rapparees certainly had the better of the chances and squandered many, but Marshalstown-Castledockrell were gutsy throughout and refused to throw in the towel, battling right to the end.
The confidence the Bellefield side exhibited started with goalkeeper Alisha Dagg. Her handling was so secure that it fed into the rest of the team, and they played an impressive game all across the pitch.
Katie Brennan was even busier at the other end, but along with Kelsey Ryan and Jemma Roche they repelled countless dangerous attacks.
The pressure had to tell at times, and an Amy Shannon goal coupled with two Ciara Boland points gave Rapparees a 1-2 to nil lead at the end of the opening quarter.
The Enniscorthy town side continued their assault on the goal, and Ciara O’Connor did race away to net a second.
Shauna Doyle and Leah Kidd added late points, but a Chloe McGrath major from a tight angle did give Marshalstown-Castledockrell some hope at the break, trailing by 2-4 to 1-0.
There was more than a little optimism for the Farmleigh girls when Orlagh Kehoe scored 1-1 within two minutes of the resumption.
Rapparees didn’t panic but took a little while to pull back clear, with a Doyle white flag and Shannon’s second goal ending a 13-minute scoreless spell.
Despite a couple of Kerri Doyle-Kinsella points, a second major from Ciara O’Connor seemed to settle the tie.
However, Marshalstown-Castledockrell battled on and responded with a goal when Doyle-Kinsella’s free was deflected to the net.
With just five points separating the sides heading into the last few minutes, Rapparees knuckled down and saw out the win, with captain Ciara Boland putting the seal on victory with an injury-time point.
Rapparees: Alisha Dagg; Megan O’Connor, Abbie Dagg; Rachel Murphy-Buckley, Abbie Jordan; Ciara O’Connor (2-0), Erin Cahill, Ciara Boland (capt., 0-3); Shauna Doyle (0-2), Amy Shannon (2-0); Jenna Kirwan, Leah Kidd (0-1). Subs. - Kasey Owens for Kirwan (47), also Bronagh Murphy-Buckley, Leah Shannon
Marshalstown-Castledockrell: Katie Brennan; Kelsey Ryan, Jemma Roche; Leah Jordan, Zoe Lett; Chloe McGrath (1-0), Orlagh Kehoe (1-1), Kerri Doyle-Kinsella (capt., 1-2 frees); Ruth Bolger, Katie Kearns; Ciara Doyle,
Amy McDonald. Subs. - Sarah Kehoe for McDonald (42), Kathleen Kenny for Bolger (59), also Chloe Whelan, Ruth Byrne, Niamh Lambert, Leah Staunton-Mernagh.
Referee: Damien Donovan (Volunteers).