Carlow reach Leinster Intermediate Camogie final after semi-final thriller
Aoibhinn Dowling embraces Holly Wall after Carlow's epic victory over Dublin in the Leinster Intermediate camogie championship semi-final Photo: Pat Ahern
Carlow are through to the Leinster intermediate camogie championship final. They produced a brave but skilful performance to come through narrowly in this semi-final against the Dublin under 23s at St Peregrines on Saturday.
The eventual winners started well with Ciara Kavanagh, Leah Ryan and Eleanor Treacy (free) all raising white flags as against a solitary point from Ella O’Ceallaigh for the Metropolitans.
Midway through the half, the home side scored two goals in seven minutes when Eile O’Ceallaigh and Aoibhinn Stokes found the net from close range. Carlow responded well and sandwiched in between the two Dublin three-pointers they scored their only goal of the game.
Sarah Sheehan had it all to do when taking possession on the Dublin 45 metre line. Scything through the home defence she eventually found space and her rocket to the bottom right hand corner of the net was huge in the context of the game. At the interval the sides were tied at 2-6 to 1-9.
Ten minutes into the second period, Carlow found themselves two points in arrears. They hit back and a beautiful exchange of passes involving Caoimhe Coady, Treacy and Kavanagh saw the third of the trio fire over. Once more Treacy levelled from a placed ball.
With just under a quarter of the game left the tension was palpable. It was gripping stuff and with time running out the sides were tied once more. Carlow found that bit extra. Treacy converted a free to nudge the visitors back in front again. Kavanagh put two between them from play. Dublin tried to respond but Carlow were in no mood to concede. The entire defence stood shoulder to shoulder and emerged unscathed as they advanced to the provincial final.
E Treacy 0-7 (6fs), S Sheehan 1-1, C Kavanagh 0-3, C Jordan, H Wall 0-2 each, L Ryan 0-1.
S O’Hanlon 0-5 (fs), E O’Ceallaigh 1-2, A Stokes 1-1, R Wood 0-2, G Shanahan 0-1.
Catherine Kavanagh; Gillian Doyle, Rachel Breen, Niamh Canavan; Aibha Kiernan, Michelle Nolan, Caoimhe Jordan; Eleanor Treacy, Caoimhe Coady; Holly Wall, Sarah Sheehan, Eve Sinnott; Ciara Kavanagh, Mairead O’Shea, Leah Ryan.
Chloe Ní Cheallaigh; Millie Larkin, Cara Ware, Caoimhe Tierney; Nicola Cotter, Ruby Davis, Róisín Ní Drisceoil; Joye Atkinson, Aoife Deegan; Sinead O’Hanlon, Grace Shanahan, Lauren Quinn; Eile O’Ceallaigh, Ruby Wood, Aoibhinn Stokes. Subs: Maedhbh Hicks for Davis (40), Hannah Gibbs for Ní Drisceoil (43), Abbie Fitzgerald for Shanahan (48).
Owen Belham (Kilkenny).
