Brilliant Saint Anne’s Advance Against Injury Hit De La Salle

 

Saint Anne’s are back in a County Senior Camogie Final after a number of years missing out on the biggest game of the year in the county after they beat a fancied De La Salle side in the second of this year’s semi finals at the WIT Arena at Carriganore on Saturday afternoon last.

Keeley Corbett-Barry gave a player of the match performance playing centre back for the city club but it was not to be enough as in what was billed as a shoot out between inter county pair Niamh Rockett and Beth Carton the battle was won by Niamh Rockett ably assisted by her team mates.

Playing with the wind at their backs out of the dressing room end of the main field it was Saint Anne’s that settled the better of the two sides. Niamh Rockett opened the scoring on three minutes with a well taken point. Had she seen Roisin Dunphy make a great run into space Saint Anne’s could have had a goal, but they were to take the better option when up against a goal keeper of the ability of Brianna O’Regan.

Ciara Sheehan followed up with a point for The Saint’s before Beth Carton hit De La Salle’s first score of the game on four minutes. Ciara Sheehan and Niamh Rockett landed points for the victors in this game, the latter coming after some good work by Becky Kavanagh, before Niamh Murphy with another good score for De La Salle. In the final attack before the water break mid way through the opening half Brianna O’Regan with a monster free inside her own half of the field found Beth Carton who finished past Megan Foran only as she can to level the scoring.

Roisin Dunphy and Beth Carton swapped scores before Ciara Sheehan and Becky Kavanagh landed scores to give Saint Anne’s a 0-8 to 1-4 lead. Beth Carton tied the scoring with another good score but two points from Niamh Rockett and one from Roisin Kirwan gave the side in green and red a 0-11 to 1-5 lead at the break.

Playing with the wind at their backs in the second half De La Salle were expected to prove to be a stronger side in the second half and they were, but Saint Anne’s double and at times tribal market Beth Carton in a bid to reduce the danger De La Salle posed, and while at times out numbered at the other end, hoped that the treat of Becky Kavanagh and the brilliant Niamh Rockett could reap benefits.

Beth Carton levelled matters with two early scores, but these scores were cancelled out by three in a row by Niamh Rockett who gave Saint Anne’s a 0-14 to 1-8 lead by the 46 minute.

Inter county pair Beth Carton and Niamh Rockett traded scores before another player with inter county experience Claire Whyte put Saint Anne’s 0-16 to 1-9 in front with seven minutes to play.

Beth Carton reduced Saint Anne’s lead by two with two points in a three minute spell setting up a grandstand finish. A Niamh Rockett point put some further day light between the side as the hour lapsed.

De La Salle pushed hard for a second goal, but they came up against a crowded Saint Anne’s back line. In added time Claire Whyte showed her football skills in kicking clear from her own 21 metre line. Her clearance found Niamh Rockett who had tracked back to her own half of the field and she send a huge delivery into Becky Kavanagh up the stand side of the field. She found Roisin Kirwan who let fire at Brianna O’Regan who went low to keep the shot out, but anticipating what could happen the Saint Anne’s corner forward quickly followed up and beat the Inter County goalkeeper at the second attempt.

The final whistle followed soon afterwards. Saint Anne’s secured their place in next weeks county final, where they will know that if they were to replicate this performance they stand a great chance of winning a first time since 2012 when they beat Lismore.

Saint Anne’s: Megan Foran; Sheena McGuckian, Labhaoise Dunbar, Aleisha McDonald; Roisin Dunphy, Sibheal Harney, Leah McGrath; Claire Whyte, Clare Murphy; Niamh Rockett, Ciara Sheehan, Tao Behan; Sinead Cummins, Becky Kavanagh, Roisin Kirwan.

Subs: Mide Delaney for Leah McGrath (49),Shiona Dunphy for Becky Kavanagh (61).

Scorers: Niamh Rockett 0-10 (4f), Roisin Kirwan 1-2, Ciara Sheehan 0-3, Becky Kavanagh, Claire Whyte 0-1 each.

De La Salle: Brianna O’Regan; Jean English, Taylor Healy, Lucy Hogan; Siobhan Heylin, Keeley Corbett Barry, Megan O’Connor, Ciara Twomey, Colette Hogan; Charlotte O’Loughlin, Beth Carton, Roisin Heylin; Holly Ryan, Niamh Murphy, Ava Murphy.

Subs: Sarah Heery for Charlotte O’Loughlin (34).

Scorers: Beth Carton 1-10 (0-3f), Niamh Murphy 0-1.

Referee: Maurice Flynn (Mooncoin).