Dublin v Armagh
Saturday 14th July 2018
Venue: Parnell’s GAA Club, Coolock
Throw-In: 5pm
The Dublin Premier Junior Camogie team welcomed Armagh to Parnell’s GAA for their first match in the 2018 Championship in a sweltering heat of 27 degrees, so staying hydrated was a priority for both teams.
Dublin started at full pace with Hannah O’Dea and Louise O’Shea very energetic and winning dirty ball around the middle and also helping out the backs. But Dublin had full confidence in their half back line with the experienced Dee Johnstone flanked by St Jude’s Emma Barron and a new position for Caoimhe Ni Maolagain who all did excellent for Dublin over the 60 plus minutes.
Dublin scored the opening point through their corner forward Laoise Quinn, followed by a free from No 11 Aoibhe Dillon and a point from play. Armagh were awarded a penalty and Ciara Donnelly pointed from the spot. Dublin went 4 to 1 up after another free from Dillon and another fine point from good movement through the middle finishing with Dillon scoring again. The industrious Laoise Quinn scored another from play making in 6 to 1.
With Aoibhe Dillon now finding space from Dublin running half back line and Hannah O’Dea really working hard in the middle, she scored the next 3 with no Armagh answer with two from play and one free. Catherine Beagan scored for Armagh making it 10 to 2 for Dublin. After some great work from Aoife Walsh (Corner Forward) Dublin got a penalty and Dillon pointed. Two more points from Aoibhe and one for Armagh left it Dublin 0-12 to Armagh 0-3 at half time.
Armagh came out fighting in the second half and a lapse of Dublin concentration allowed Armagh grab a goal. Dillon again scored a point (14 to 1-4). Dillon and Armagh’s Murray swopped points before energetic Cara Dawson made it 16 - 8.
Sub Evelyn Twomey scored at the end of a great diagonal ball and again Dillon and Donnolly swopped points. Two more for Dublin from, yes you guessed Dillon and another for Twomey left it 19 – 9. Three more for Dublin from including a great point from Louise O’Shea, and a few from Armagh left it at Dublin 0-22 to Armagh 1-8.
With a fine scoring tally of 15 points from Aoibhe Dillon it was a full team effort and great game management on the pitch with special mention for Sinead Murphy was marked one of Armagh’s best players in Ciara Donnolly while celebrating her birthday and other girls put in a huge display for Dublin were Caoimhe Ni Maolagain, Hannah O’Dea, Dee Johnstone and Emma Barron. Manager Shane Plowman was very happy with scoring 22 points on their first championship match of 2018.
Report by Willie Braine
Photo Credit: iLivephotos.com