Below par Duharra exit to Clonoulty

County Senior Camogie Championship Quarter Final

Clonoulty/Rossmore 1-11

Burgess/Duharra 0-7

Report: Thomas Conway in Kilcoleman

Clonoulty/Rossmore entered this one as slight underdogs following an erratic Group 1 campaign, but by 5.00pm on Saturday evening, the West side looked like a newly awakened force, despatching Burgess-Duharra with an emphatic second-performance in this County Senior Camogie Championship quarter final.

Overcoming the eight-time county champions on their home turf was never going to be easy, but Kieran Hammersley’s team made light work of the challenge, pulling ahead after the interval, and never looked back.

The half-time scoreline of three points apiece indicated a stagnant, conservative affair, both teams subduing each other’s attacking threat and concentrating the play between the 45 metre lines.

It might have been a day for long-range shooting, were it not for an awkward and unpredictable wind which picked up force as the game wore on, probably discouraging the players from trying anything too adventurous.

A tit-for-tat opening 25 minutes saw both sides trade points one after the other, Burgess/Duharra registering first before Clonoulty/Rossmore climbed ahead with a brace, Cáit Devane leading the line in familiar style, always accurate from frees but flawless from play as well.

The home side had reversed the advantage by the twentieth minute, Jenny Grace and Amy Kennedy forming their usual partnership, the former slotting a placed-ball before the latter sent another spinning over the wing, with Clonoulty again scraping level some five minutes after.

Scores were at a premium and goal-mouth action was certainly scarce, but this was an intriguing opening half, made interesting by a collection of individual battles which were unfolding across the field. Both Caoimhe Maher and her opposite number Courtney Ryan were commanding from centre-back, while the Clonoulty midfield duo of Cora Hennessy and Bernadette Ryan consistently pounced on the breaking ball and demonstrated the type of work-ethic which is required to unseat a team as efficient as Burgess-Duharra.

On the whole, Clonoulty were superb as a collective, unspectacular but stunningly effective. Ultimately though, it was the second-half display of their back six - or seven, when you include goalkeeper Therese Shortt - which proved the difference.

Despite worsening conditions and increasingly soap-like sliotar, their half-back trio of Katie Murphy, Ryan, and Emer Loughman showed immense composure under intense pressure, working the ball out carefully with quick stick-work and intelligent passing. Behind them, the full-back line refused Burgess/Duharra permission to enter the danger-zone, hassling, harrying, and halting their opponents when in sight of goal. Amy Kennedy was sternly marshalled throughout, deprived of the space which she so obviously thrives in, and denied the licence to roam about the place freely, as she had done in previous games.

Clonoulty/Rossmore's third-quarter performance suggested that this was a team completely undaunted by the pedigree of their hosts. They transitioned seamlessly from defence to attack, filtering the ball through the lines and up to Devane, who, along with Casey Hennessy and Avril Quirke, started to stretch their side’s lead with pivotal scores which suddenly changed the trajectory of this game.

Although Burgess/Duharra looked unconvincing in general play, they remained in pursuit, closing the gap through frees from Grace, with Caoimhe Maher also pushing forward from the back.

Leading 0-8 to 0-5 at the second water-break, Clonoulty/Rossmore were probably anticipating a fourth-quarter power-play from their opponents, but it just never materialised. Instead, Kieran Hammersley's side found another gear, racking up another three points in a six-minute period to extend the lead to five.

By the time Kate Ferncombe’s goal arrived, two-and-a-half minutes into stoppage-time, Burgess/Duharra resembled a depleted force - persevering still and refusing to die, but physically fatigued and tactically outplayed.

Clonoulty/Rossmore, in contrast, were floating on cloud nine. A surprise victory for the West club, but one which will instil them with confidence ahead of a semi-final showdown against rivals Annacarty.

Player of the Match: Emer Loughman (Clonoulty-Rossmore)

Clonoulty-Rossmore: Therese Shortt (7), Lorna Ryan (7), Moira Kinnane (8), Kellie Quirke (7), Katie Murphy (8), Courtney Ryan (8), Emer Loughman (0-1, 8), Cora Hennessy (8), Bernadette Ryan (7), Casey Hennessy (0-1, 7), Cáit Devane (0-8, 4f, 1 45) 8), Avril Quirke (0-1, 7), Eimear Bourke (7), Kate Ryan (7), Kayleigh Davern (7).

Subs: Kate Ferncombe (1-0, 8) for Davern (38), Caoimhe Quirke (NR) for Bourke (58).

Burgess-Duharra: Ciara Holohan (7), Fiona Kirwan (7), Gemma Grace (7), Aisling Cremin (6), Kaitlin O’Halloran (7), Caoimhe Maher (0-1f, 7), Eimear Dwane (6), Katie Grace (7), Ciardha Maher (7), Ciara McKeogh (6), Jenny Grace (0-4f, 7), Úna Quigley (6), Emily Morrissey (6), Amy Kennedy (0-2, 7), Laura Reid (6).

Subs: Danielle Nealon (6) for Morrissey (35), Caoilfhinn Maher (7) for Reid (41), Aishling Kennedy (7) for McKeogh (49).

Referee: TP Sullivan (Nenagh Eire Og).