Annacarty take the scalp of Drom & Inch

Annacarty 3-9

Drom & Inch 2-10

Group 1 of the County Senior Camogie Championship was thrown wide open on Saturday when holders Drom & Inch were defeated by Annacarty who were deserving two-point winners in Annacarty.

Drom & Inch started brightly with an early goal from Michelle Woodlock to give them the lead 1-3 to 0-2 at the water-break. By half time though Annacarty had stormed into the lead and led by two points, 1-6 to 1-4, helped by an Eva O’Dwyer goal.

Eibhlis McDonald was very effective for the home side. She started full forward but roamed about which pulled the Drom & Inch backs out of shape.

The Drom defence were also feeling the loss of Mairead Eviston who was absent through injury. At the other end Annacarty’s defence was very good led by Rosanna O’Donnell at full back who has really grown into the position and Ciannait Walsh and Karen Fox in the half backline. Gemma Fox was also very good in midfield with two points.

The Drom & Inch attack struggled to click and finished with only five scores from play 1-2 from Eimear McGrath, Michelle Woodlock with a goal and a second half point from Dee Dunne. They were reliant on Eimear McGrath’s well-executed frees to keep the scoreboard ticking over as she finished with seven points from frees in total.

A second goal from Annacarty in the second half from O’Dwyer stretched their lead but Drom & Inch had a chance to get back level when Eimear McGrath stepped up to take a penalty. Her shot however was saved by Aoife Butler in the Annacarty goal.

At the second half water-break Drom trailed by the slightest of margins, 2-6 to 1-8. Soon after the sides were level but Annacarty showed great resolve and fighting spirit with a third goal from sub Ciara Slattery to push them ahead.

In an exciting finale both sides showed great determination to win and a well-taken goal by Eimear McGrath made it a one point game once again. But it was Annacarty who got the final score and they held on for a two point win.

Annacarty’s three goals coming at key stages and were vital in preventing Drom to build any kind of momentum. Annacarty were fully deserving of their win as they outfought and outmuscled Drom in key areas of the pitch and had a great spread of scorers.

For Drom & Inch they will be disappointed that only three of their six forwards scored and in total only 2-3 was scored from play. Best for Drom was Niamh Treacy at wing back who gave a fine performance and steadied the team further when switched into centre back for the second half.

Annacarty currently lie top of the group with all four of their games played. Drom & Inch face Thurles Sarsfields this Saturday in both teams final group game with what should be a highly entertaining encounter as both teams look to head for the knockout stages on back of a good performance and a victory.

Player of the Match: Eibhlis McDonald (Annacarty)

Annacarty: Aoife Butler; Ellen Gantley, Rosanna O’Donnell, Sarah Burke; Ciannait Walsh, Karen Fox, Orlagh Walsh; Gemma Fox (0-2), Orla O’Brien; Jean Kelly, Siobhan O’Neill (0-4), Rachel O’Dwyer (0-1); Eva O’Dwyer (2-1), Eibhlis McDonald (0-1), Leah Heffernan.

Subs used: Ciara Slattery (1-0), Laura Heffernan, Cora Heffernan.

Drom & Inch: Caoimhe Bourke; Eimear Cahill, Maureen Ryan, Maria Connolly; Niamh Treacy, Mary Burke, Aoife McGrath; Siobhan McGrath, Niamh Long; Dee Dunne (0-1), Eimear McGrath (1-9, 0-7f), Joanne Ryan, Michelle Woodlock (1-0), Anne Eviston, Miriam Campion.

Referee: Pat Lynch