SHSS Junior Camogie Team Triumphs with a 9-Point Victory
Sacred Heart Clon 4-16 Loretto Fermoy 3-10
In the end, a nine point victory for Sacred Heart following a pulsating game in blustery but bright conditions at Ahamilla. This round robin clash, between Cork schools in the east and west of the county, was more keenly fought than the scoreboard indicates and it was the ability of the West Cork girls, to get crucial scores, at vital junctures, that eventually won the day.
Playing with the aid of a significant breeze SHSS began well and were rewarded on the scoreboard with points from Aoife Harte, Aoife White and an Ailbhe Byerley free before Loreto opened their account with a well taken score.
SHSS had the bulk of the possession at this juncture of the game, but were not making it tell, as wayward shooting, teak tough defensive play combined with high quality goalkeeping kept the Fermoy girls in touch. A pointed free from Byerley and a tremendous Harte point, after she slalomed through a packed Loreto defence , were the only reward as we reached the quarter hour mark.
The second quarter was played at a tremendous pace with some great scores from both sides. Byerley added another free for Clon before Kate Collins rattled the net. Soon after Loreto had a goal of their own following superb approach work and followed it up with a point to reduce the margin to 3.
Undeterred, SHSS roared into the game and Aoife Harte goaled, followed by a Collins point, a similar score from White and another from a Byerley free extending the Clon lead. Two pointed frees for Loretto made the score 2-7 1–3.
The half concluded with another SHSS goal from Seodhna Walsh and a point from corner back Niamh Doyle, who after finding herself in an advanced position slotted over effortlessly.
Half time 3-8 1-5
Facing into a stong breeze, SHSS opened the second stanza with another Aoife Harte point, before a similar Loreto effort. It was now their turn to dominate territory and with the defence under pressure SHSS responded. Captain Amber Bishop, fresh from winning a county medal with her club 24 hours earlier, roared into the game assisted by the skilful Eibhlin Murphy and hardworking Mairead Whelton, together they repelled many Fermoy attacks. They kept coming though and so did the scores, a quick fire 1-2 and there was just 5 between the teams with 15 to go. It could have been more but Megan Whelton was soundness personified fronted by Maebh Lyons, Aine Hennessy and the aforementioned Doyle who all did what was asked of them in a tremendous rearguard action.
The character of this SHSS team was now under scrutiny and they needed to respond. Respond they did, with a break away White point, after linking brilliantly with Saoirse Gilmore and another from out on the sideline and into the breeze by very effective wing forward Megan O Regan.
Loreto were to goal again after a goalmouth scramble and they was only 4 between the teams with ten to go and all the momentum with the Fermoy outfit.
SHSS had worked too hard to let this slip though and Ailbhe Byerley pointed, 5 up, before the ubiquitous Harte goaled, 8 up, after yet another lung bursting run. A Byerley free rounded off the scoring.
In the end a 9 point victory but far from straightforward for SHSS who now progress from the group to a Munster Semi Final in mid November.
Next game is the county Semi Final V St Mary’s Midleton in Ahamilla this Thursday 23/10at 12pm
