Piercestown girls in top form
Kilrush dethoned in Rackard League ‘A’ camogie final
PIERCESTOWN 2-4 KILRUSH 0-6
PIERCESTOWN WERE the underdogs coming into the Rackard League Roinn A camogie final as they were pitted against a Kilrush team going for three-in-a-row.
Conditions were excellent in St. Patrick’s Park as the recently-crowned Féile champions took on the Wexford District side.
This turned out to be a pulsating final, with Kilrush throwing everything at Piercestown, but the defence stood firm and denied them the vital goal which would have put the game in the melting pot.
Kilrush faced the strong breeze in the first-half and scores were hard to come by, with points from Shauna MacSweeney for the Gorey District side, and the excellent Róisín Dempsey for the opposition.
This was a dour battle as both teams threatened the goal frequently.
Ellen Coleman was excellent in goal throughout and her long puck-outs helped the Piercestown-Murrintown girls’ cause.
Sinéad Cullen got a great goal as netminder Éabha Guinan had to bat the sliothar down and she pulled on the rebound to score.
The maroon-clad girls never lost this advantage, and Sinéad’s second goal in the second-half sealed the deal.
Laura Kehoe tried hard for Kilrush but the six Piercestown backs, ably marshalled by the Quirke sisters and their cousin, Niamh Dempsey, held firm.
Kilrush had great players in all areas of the pitch, and Shauna MacSweeney, Rebecca Kavanagh, Nicola Corrigan, Orla O’Rourke and Kim Dickson tried very hard right to the end.
For Piercestown, Róisín Dempsey and Orla Griffin were dominant in midfield, getting great assistance from Leagh Maddock,
Mary Roe (captain), Sarah Kenny, Grace O’Connor and the aforementioned Sinéad Cullen, scorer of two goals, were others to shine for the new champions.
For four extra injury time minutes, the tension was palpable with Kilrush inching closer with points from frees. The Piercestown/Murrintown girls were not to be denied though and were worthy winners in the end.
The Roinn A cup was presented to their captain, Mary Roe, by Rackard League Chairman, Kevin Waters.
Piercestown: Ellen Coleman; Mia Quirke, Melissa Quirke, Ellie O’Mahony; Niamh Dempsey, Róisín Alouf, Fiona O’Mahony; Orla Griffin, Róisín Dempsey; Sinéad Cullen, Leagh Maddock, Mary Roe (capt.); Grace O’Connor, Sarah Kenny, Caoimhe Delahunty. Subs. - Kate Stafford, Lily Murray, Chloe Curtin, Aoibhe Ormonde, Lucy O’Hanlon, Rhianna Kenny, Katie Audsley, Aoibhe Hurley, Ciara Ormonde, Ciara Roche, Emma Quirke, Anna Jeffares.
Kilrush: Eabha Guinan; Amy Power, Shauna MacSweeney, Anna Tomkins; Rebecca Kavanagh, Nicola Corrigan (joint capt.), Amber Walsh; Laura Kehoe (joint capt.), Tilda Murphy; Kira Scully, Orla O’Rourke, Kim Dickson; Rachael Dee, Katie Moorhead, Leanne Walsh. Subs. - Grace Tobin, Ellie May Mahon, Ciara Kenny, Amy Cowman, Maya Kavanagh, Lara Murphy, Erin Tobin, Marita McCrea, Laura Bailey, Keila Smyth, Hannah Mulroe, Laura Mulroe, Faye Mulroe.