Rapparees secure share of the Minor spoils with late revival
TWO COMMITTED teams in Rapparees and Davidstown-Courtnacuddy must re-draw the battle lines to determine the destination of the Minor camogie Roinn 2B title after a late surge from the home side secured a 2-5 apiece draw in Saturday’s enjoyable twelve-aside county final played at a wet Bellefield.
Hampered by a flurry of wides at the start of the second-half, the hosts appeared dead and buried as their more economical opponents gradually eased 2-5 to 1-2 in front by the 39th minute.
But central defensive pillars Abbie Dagg and Eadha Farrell thundered into the game thereafter to inspire their team-mates to a deserved share of the spoils and, judging by how strong they looked the longer the game went on, the momentum is surely with the Bellefield girls in the replay.
That said, Rapparees also enjoyed a bright start to hostilities, as the tricky angle proved no obstacle to Farrell when she punished an over-carrying call in converting a free on three minutes.
And they really staked early claims to ultimate glory after sev- en minutes when Ciara Boland did well to catch an opposition puck-out before soloing in and unleashing a shot at the posts that was spilled over the line for a fortuitous goal.
If anything though, that slow start invigorated Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, and they proceeded to register 1-3 without reply to turn the game in their favour.
Amy Murphy neatly struck over their opener on the run, before a free out the field from Lauren Delaney caused a moment of confusion around the square, and Jamie Egan instinctively pulled on the loose ball to goal and level proceedings after twelve minutes.
Rapparees came near to goaling soon after when Anna Kavanagh threatened, only to be smothered when pulling the trigger, and they were made rue that missed opportunity on 27 minutes when Murphy swiped to the net after her initial effort was well-hooked.
Bonnie Kinnaird swapped scores with Jade Power in injury time as Davidstown-Courtnacuddy held a 2-3 to 1-2 lead at the change of ends, and they seemed set to take home the spoils when accounting for the first two points after the break too.
Egan emerged from contact to knock over a fine point on 37 minutes, while Donna Delahunty also split the posts from mid-range as the gap stretched to six points.
But back Rapparees came, as points from Kavanagh (twice) and Farrell were followed by substitute Jessie O’Brien bundling home late on to force a replay.
Rapparees: Rachel Murphy Buckley; Méadhbh Foley, Abbie Dagg; Kathleen Redmond (capt.), Aine Murphy; Eadha Farrell (0-2, 1 free), Erin Cahill, Ciara O’Connor; Erin Peoples, Bonnie Kinnaird (0-1); Ciara Boland (1-0), Anna Kavanagh (0-2). Subs. - Jessie O’Brien (1-0) for Peoples (43), also Rita Murphy.
Davidstown-Courtnacuddy: Taragh Cooper; Mairéad Crean (capt.), Ellie Jevens; Hollie Kelly, Lauren Delaney; Donna Delahunty (0-1), Anna Jevens, Jamie Egan (1-2); Lucy Egan, Amy Murphy (1-1); Ava O’Connor, Catherine Moitie. Subs. - Jade Power (0-1) for Moitie (21), Aoibhinn Crean for O’Connor (43), Katie Roche for Egan (59), also Beth Murphy.
Referee: Francis Neville (St. Ibar’s/ Shelmalier).