Offaly 4-6  Dublin 2-3  

At half-time Dublin led by 1-1 to 0-2 on a superb pitch at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown and an excellent evening for camogie.   Scores were scarce as both teams employed an extra defender with the result that neither side was doing much at the creative end of play.    For Dublin it was significant as in that opening half, they looked the more dangerous and their defence had nullified the major threats – Sarah Harding and Róisín Egan.

But that edge did not reflect itself on the scoreboard.   Dublin goaled after 25 seconds when pressure on the Offaly ‘keeper forced a turnover and Grace O’Shea goaled.   But Dublin’s next score would not arrive until the 31 ^st minute – a fine effort from Alex Griffin.   The extra defender was curtailing scoring opportunities but equally at the other end Offaly’s spare back was mopping up a lot of ball.   Dublin’s backs were superb in this half – full-back Ciara Griffin, the superb Niamh Gleeson at No. 4, Róisín McLoughlin and Isabelle Costelloe at centreback.

But try as they did up front, the scoring chances were scarce despite plenty of possession.   Offaly responded with two points from Grace Teehan and a super score from Sarah Harding before the short whistle.   Both players would have a telling impact in the second half.

Dublin resumed in determined mood.   Isabelle Costelloe nailed a great free after 32 seconds and a minute later a great catch by Evelynn Twomey at midfield set up Eimear O’Leary for a super point.    But with the teams going 15 on 15 for the second half, Sarah Harding was seeing more possession and she goaled in the 34 ^th minute and two minutes later she set midfield colleague Grace Teehan for a great goal to give Offaly the lead for the first time.

Dublin regrouped and the hard-working Kerrie Finnegan set up Grace O’Shea for her second goal to restore Dublin’s lead in the 42 ^nd minute.   But that was it from a scoring point of view for Dublin.   For the remaining 20 minutes of play, they failed to add to their tally as Offaly grew in strength and confidence.   Aisling Brennan and Sarah Walsh were powerhouses in the half-back line and up front Sarah Harding was running the show.     A second Grace Teehan goal again set up by Harding put Offaly back in the driving seat and they pushed home their advantage from the 43 ^rd minute.

Shiofra Ryan and Róisin Egan popped over inspirational points and Sarah Harding buried the game with a goal and a point in the 51 ^st and 54 ^th minutes.  

Scorers:

Offaly – Sarah Harding (2-3), Grace Teehan (2-1), Róisin Egan (0-2)

Dublin – Grace O’Shea (2-0), Alex Griffin (0-1), Isabelle Costelloe (0-1), Eimear O’Leary (0-1)

Referee: Ray Kelly