Normally when it snows in Ireland, everything comes to a halt, but not for Paul Beecher and his U14 Camogie girls. Paul said to the girls ‘rain, hail or snow, training and matches go ahead’. So it was the parents who were surprised to hear we were still travelling despite the snow. He must have found the only green field in Ireland to ensure this match vs Cork city schools selection went ahead as scheduled.
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The game itself was 3 x 25 minute quarters, to ensure everyone got good game time. Despite the ground conditions both teams displayed fine skills and good pace for so early in the season. Dublin started brightly with Captain Doireann Mullany and Leah Mullins controlling midfield and giving good supply into the forwards.. Laura Mulvey capitalised twice in as many minutes with two well taking goals to give Dublin the early advantage. This sprung the Cork girls into action and the defence had to be on their toes to keep Cork at bay. Sarah Nagle, Eilise O Grady and Mary Cronin controlled the half back line throughout this period. Tess Coyne added a point from play to extend the lead. Anna Walsh caught the eye with several good solo runs throughout period. However Cork finally broke though just before half time with a fine goal and point to close the gap. Score at 1st Interval Dublin 2-1 Cork 1-1. Dublin make 5 changes for the second period which helped keep the game at a good pace. Cork levelled the game shortly after restart with a well taken goal. Goals were a plenty in this period, with Dublin girls Orla Beagan, Eve Keogh, Ailish O Neill all scoring goals without reply. Aisling O Leary who had a great game scored a fine point from a well taken 45. Cork remained a threat and had several attempts saved by an ever improving Danielle Aylmer between the posts.
Unfortunately Danielle received an injury after a fine save and was replaced by Chloe Rochfort who made a few fine saves also. Niamh Byrne at full back had a hard day thoughout but managed to keep a superb Cork Full forward scoreless. Heather Deignan Gough and Tara O Flaherty both played well in defence in this period. Cork came with late rally in this period with a fine goal after a 40 yard solo run and followed up with a quick point. Last score of this high scoring period went to Laura Morrissey who scored one of her trade mark hand passing goals to wrap up the period. Score at 2nd Interval Dublin 6-3 Cork 3-2. Dublin make 5 changes again for the third and final period. If period two was high scoring, well this period was all about defences, as defenders came out on top with only 1 – 1 being scored between the 2 teams. Blaithin Mc Quillan made some fine clearances under pressure and both Shaunagh Harte and Aoife McKenna battled hard throughout. Cork scored the first score with a point from play.
The game flowed end to end for most of this period with both teams fighting hard to gain an advantage. AnneMarie Courtney at corner forward tried hard throughout and was finally rewarded when supplying the pass for Laura Morrissey to score a low hard taken shot to the net. This was the final score of the match, probably the only juvenile camogie match played in Ireland on Sunday, so well done to everyone involved. Well done on the day to Joan Keogh who was kept busy with 4 injuries. Another trip over and now the girls look forward to playing in the Leinster Championship in 3 weeks time against Kilkenny. They have trained and practiced well, have great team spirit and should be confident in their ability to compete at the high level that will be needed. The real journey now begins!!!
Garry Beagan Lucan Sarsfields PRO