Devane the difference as Clonoulty sink the ‘Mines

CAMOGIE FBD Insurance County Senior Championship Quarter Final

Clonoulty/Rossmore 1-17

Silvermines 0-7

Report: Noel Dundon in Clonoulty

Tipperary star Cáit Devane was the difference as Clonoulty/Rossmore overcame Silvermines in the County Senior Camogie Championship quarter final on Sunday.

Both sides made light of the miserable conditions as they served up a competitive encounter, but Clonoulty/Rossmore were the better side and had greater scoring capacity with Devane leading the way from her full forward berth where she pilfered 0-10 while also setting up Casey Hennessy for the game sealing goal just before half time.

The victors had played wind-assisted in the first half, and they set about putting up a big score on the board even if it took them a while to get into stride. Indeed, Silvermines led twice in the opening minutes with Sarah Madden grabbing the first score of the game followed by Ellen Cunneen, either side of a Courtney Ryan point for Clonoulty/Rossmore.

But, once Devane tied the game up in the seventh minute and Sinead Ryan gave Clonoulty/Rossmore the lead a minute later, there was only ever going to be one winner. A procession of points from Devane (5), Eimear Loughman, Eimear Burke, Katie Ryan, and Avril Quirke saw the hosts well clear and when Devane linked with Casey Hennessy in the 30th minute with a brilliant pass, the interval lead would read 1-12 to 0-2 – Hennessy making no mistake with her finish to the net.

Mind you, Cáit Devane could have had two goals in the first half had it not been for the brilliance of Silvermines netminder Joanne McGrath who twice denied her a green flag with fine saves. Her heroics could not be matched up-field where Silvermines found it hard to make inroads on a Clonoulty/Rossmore rearguard marshalled well by Clodagh Quirke and Eimear Loughman.

A point upon resumption from Sarah Madden perhaps suggested that Silvermines might rally in the second half, but it was not to be and Devane had three further points to extend the lead again, before Madden (2) and Ellen Cunneen intervened with scores for the ‘Mines.

To add to their woes, they had midfielder Brid Quinn receive a second yellow card and her marching orders with five minutes of normal time remaining, but by then the outcome was never in doubt and Clonoulty/Rossmore ran out comfortable winners with sub Sophie Maher getting in on the scoring act, as did Elaine Murphy for Silvermines.

To be fair to the ‘Mines girls they never gave up the chase and though they were well in arrears they played the game right down to the final whistle in search of scores. The efforts of Sarah Madden, Miriam Murphy, Katie Murphy, Ellen Cunneen and Brid Quinn could not be faulted while Joey McGrath in goals played a big part in keeping Clonoulty/Rossmore relatively at bay.

Clonoulty/Rossmore were better able to adapt to the conditions and their ability to create overlaps and scores was impressive – Silvermines were forced to foul on many occasions and when they did Cáit Devane punished them to the full, even if a few efforts did go astray too in the windy conditions.

Best for Clonoulty/Rossmore were Clodagh Quirke, Eimear Loughman, Cáit Devane, Katie Ferncombe and Courtney Ryan while Katie Murphy did a lot of mopping up in defence.

Player of the Match: Cáit Devane (Clonoulty/Rossmore)

Clonoulty/Rossmore: Cora Hennessy (7); Katie Murphy (7), Aoife Burke (6), Lorna Ryan (6); Eimear Loughman (0-1, 8), Clodagh Quirke (8), Katie Ryan (0-1, 7); Kellie Quirke (7), Sinead Ryan (0-1, 7); Katie Ferncombe (7), Courtney Ryan (0-1, 8), Casey Hennessy (1-0, 6); Eimear Burke (0-1, 7), Cáit Devane (0-10, 8f, 9), Avril Quirke (0-1, 7).

Subs: Sophie Maher (0-1, 6) for Sinead Ryan (40); Orla Ryan (6) for A Quirke (40); Sinead Ryan for K Quirke (56).

Silvermines: Joanne McGrath (9); Ciara Ryan (6), Miriam Murphy (8), Ciara Grace (6); Eimear Murphy (7), Katie Murphy (7), Nessa Murray (6); Brid Quinn (6), Ellen Cunneen (0-3, 1 45, 8); Nicola Butler (6), Sarah Madden (0-4, 8), Aoife Ryan (7); Aisling Carey (6), Elaine Murphy (0-1, 6), Laura Cunneen (6).

Subs: Anna Stapleton (6) for Grace (45); Siobhan Savage (6) for Carey (54).

Referee: Johnny Dooley (Thurles).