Sad backdrop to defeat
Tommy’s shock passing put loss in perspective
WEXFORD’S NARROW defeat to Cork in the Senior camogie National League semi-final in McDonagh Park, Nenagh, on May 8, 2005, occurred amid a backdrop of shock and sadness.
Tommy Kirwan from Oulart-The Ballagh – a selector along with Willie Carley (manager) and Peggie Kelly – had died suddenly in late April, and he was fondly remembered in a minute’s silence beforehand.
In the circumstances, the outcome of the match itself was scarcely important in the overall scheme of things.
Nonetheless, there was enough evidence in the 1-11 to 2-6 defeat to suggest that the Wexford team – wearing black armbands as a mark of respect – were heading in the right direction and making steady progress.
While they failed narrowly to repeat their victory over the Leesiders at the same stage of the competition from one year before, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Cork and their arch-rivals from Munster, Tipperary, were operating on a higher plane than the rest of the contenders at the time.
Wexford had first use of the wind but, given the traumatic build-up to the game, it wasn’t a major surprise to see them struggling in the early stages.
Cork picked off three points without reply in the first six minutes, but Wexford settled after Kate Kelly got them off the mark from a free.
Aine Codd reduced the deficit to the minimum before the underdogs hit the front with a well-taken goal in the 18th minute.
Cork’s Stephanie Dunlea overran the ball when Aoife O’Connor sent in a probing delivery, and Ursula Jacob held off Jennifer Browne before gathering possession and driving a sweet shot to the net (1-2 to 0-3).
Wexford still led at the break (1-4 to 0-6) after Jacob and Kelly (’45) added to their haul, although it took a brilliant block by Catherine O’Loughlin in her own square in added time to preserve that advantage.
The most crushing blow in the quest for a final spot occurred three minutes into the second period.
Wexford lost possession in their own half-forward line and dual player Angela Walsh embarked on a rampaging run.
She exchanged passes with Emer Dillon before bearing down on Mags D’Arcy’s goal and, while the St. Martin’s teenager got her stick to the shot, it wasn’t enough to prevent it from entering the net.
That bitter blow was hard to take, but it was followed by two more points from Jennifer O’Leary, the second from play (1-8 to 1-4).
With substitute Caroline Murphy exerting a huge influence from right half-back, Wexford rallied.
A direct swap between Aine Codd and Mary Leacy also paid dividends in the 44th minute, when a Murphy clearance found the younger of the Oulart-The Ballagh sisters, Una, and she played a neat ball into the right corner-forward position.
Mary had crept into this area unnoticed by new direct opponent Mary O’Connor, and she filled her colleagues with renewed hope by drilling the sliothar to the net past Aoife Murray (1-8 to 2-4).
Wexford sensed that this game was still there for the taking, and their optimism grew when Kate Kelly equalised from a ’45 early in the last quarter.
Jennifer O’Leary (free) and Angela Walsh handed the initiative back to Cork and, although substitute Sandy Carr kicked a point in reply, Ciara Healy closed the scoring for the favourites in the second minute of added time.
Wexford: Mags D’Arcy; Aishling Moran, Catherine O’Loughlin, Claire O’Connor; Deirdre Codd, Mary Leacy (capt., 1-0), Bernie Holohan; Kate Kelly (0-3, 2 ’45s, 1 free), Evelyn Quigley; Aoife O’Connor, Aine Codd (0-1), Lenny Holohan; Una Leacy, Michelle Hearne, Ursula Jacob (1-1). Subs. Jenna Murphy for D’Arcy (temp.), Orla Hernan for Hearne, Caroline Murphy for D. Codd, Sandy Carr (0-1) for A. O’Connor.
Cork: Aoife Murray; Jennifer Browne, Stephanie Dunlea, Joanne O’Callaghan; Amanda O’Regan, Mary O’Connor, Nora Ahern; Briege Corkery, Emer Dillon; Rachel Moloney, Angela Walsh (1-2), Jennifer O’Leary (0-6, 4 frees); Una O’Donoghue, Sarah O’Donovan (0-2), Elaine Burke (capt.). Subs. - Denise Twomey for Burke, Rosarie Holland for Browne, Paula O’Connor for Corkery, Ciara Healy (0-1) for O’Donoghue.
Referee: Damian Noble (Dublin).