Davidstown loss avenged
HORESWOOD AVENGED a round-robin defeat to Davidstown-Courtnacuddy to wrap up the Junior ‘C’ camogie championship ‘B’ twelve-a-side title in Rathnure recently.
The south county side already had the league crown resting snugly in their trophy cabinet but this developing camogie club added further sheen to their short history with this hard-earned success.
They actually lost their previous game to Davidstown-Courtnacuddy in the group stages, with their opponents dominating the middle of the field.
In that game Horeswood were missing three of their stronger players but they learned a lot from that defeat and were able turn the tables in the decider.
The loss wasn’t the end of the world either as, with wins against Faythe Harriers, Geraldine O’Hanrahans, Bunclody and Blackwater, the New Ross District side finished top of the round-robin table and advanced into the semi-final in style.
In the last four, as group winners and seeded first, they met fourth-placed Bunclody and simply proved too strong for them, winning through to this title decider with plenty to spare (9-11 to 4-7).
Determined to complete the double, they went after their final opponents from the first whistle and excelled.
They had chances to score within seconds and while they failed to take them, it set the tone for the remainder of the first-half.
With deadly attacker Sinéad Ryan getting the opening goal, plus Gráinne Ryan and county Intermediate Mary Cummins on target, Horeswood were able to control the game and build a 1-9 to 0-2 interval lead.
As the score suggests, the performance was exemplary all over the field for Horeswood. It was the compete team display that led to the advantage as every girl contributed in different ways.
Defending a lead against an up-and-coming young Davidstown-Courtnacuddy team was always going to be tricky and they had their moments in the second-half.
The Boolabawn side got a goal back but another Sinéad Ryan major was enough to keep them at arm’s length and secure the cup for Horeswood.
Horeswood: Rebecca Caulfield; Nicole Hayes (capt.), Breda Cummins; Mairéad Kehoe, Keely Murphy; Amy Larkin, Jennifer Cummins, Sarah Whitty; Mary Cummins (0-4), Gráinne Ryan (0-3); Chloe Power, Sinéad Ryan (2-4). Subs. - Aoife Foley, Laura Kenny, Chloe Kavanagh, Lauren O’Neill, Hayley Griffin, Kate Chapman, Eimear O’Shea, Clare O’Shea, Meghan Whitty, Lucille Prendergast.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Aoife Martin (joint capt.); Maria O’Shea (joint capt.), Sarah Martin; Jade Power, Coley Fortune; Jamie Egan, Eimear O’Shea, Mairéad Crean; Danielle Ffrench, Kelly Doyle; Carrie Power, Chloe Power. Subs. - Molly Kelly for Egan, Laura Roche for Chloe Power, Emma Crimmins for Ffrench, also Nancy Frayne, Sam Doran, Amy McGrath, Martina McGrath, Katie Roche, Grace Mernagh, Lisa Crosbie, Elaine Kane.