Annacarty dig deep to overcome battling Silvermines

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Group 2 Round 3

Silvermines 1-9

Éire Óg Annacarty/D2-10

Report: James Hayden in Dolla

Éire Og Annacarty/Donohill were forced to dig deep to overcome a stiff Silvermines challenge in an absorbing County Senior Camogie Championship clash at a damp Dolla on Tuesday of last week.

Despite the greasy underfoot conditions both sides served up a hard-fought encounter with the visitors getting off to a cracking start with Jennifer Heffernan finding the back of the ‘Mines net after just fifty seconds.

Silvermines responded well thanks to successive Aisling Carey frees before Éire Óg hit back with a well-worked Danielle Ryan point coupled with a Gemma Fox free after Katie Murphy was forced to haul back the dangerous full-forward as she broke through the Silvermines cover.

The home side were then dealt a heavy blow when midfielder Ciara Ryan saw red after an off-the-ball altercation with Lucy Heffernan.

With the ‘Mines now numerically disadvantaged they re-jigged their side but coughed up a further 1-1 before the twenty-minute mark. The impressive Jean Kelly pointed from close-range before Danielle Ryan once again slipped through the ‘Mines defence to rattle the net with aplomb, 2-3 to 0-3.

Silvermines did their utmost to narrow the deficit with two further frees from Aisling Carey, but Danielle Ryan was on hand to add another point to Éire Óg Annacarty’s tally to ensure they led by 2-4 to 0-4 at the interval.

Silvermines emerged determined to peg back a physical Éire Óg Annacarty side and within two minutes of the re-start Niamh Cunneen buried the ball in the back of the net following a scything run through the heart of the defence.

Aisling Carey narrowed the gap to two seconds later after Niamh Cunneen was fouled on route to goal and the 'Mines were well and truly back in contention.

Credit to the home side they really battled hard in the second half and made Éire Óg Annacarty work hard for every score. Gemma Fox (free) kept the scoreboard ticking for the visitors, but Aisling Carey edged the ‘Mines closer again thanks to a 40th minute close-range free.

Another Gemma Fox free on 42 minutes put three between the sides before Jean Kelly almost rattled the ‘Mines net with a surging run and low drive which scooted narrowly past the upright.

Silvermines kept up the pressure though with corner-forward Maeve Cunneen arrowing over a beautifully struck 47th minute point. Both sides continued to trade frees as the game entered the closing stages with a fantastic Niamh Cunneen point bringing the’ Mines back to within a point with four minutes of normal time remaining.

Three minutes later, Silvermines were afforded the chance to level, but Aisling Carey’s effort trailed wide.

Éire Óg Annacarty finished the stronger side though with two Gemma Fox frees and a fine point from substitute, Eibhlis McDonald ensuring the West side ran out four-point winners.

Impressive for Éire Óg Annacarty were Gemma Fox, Sarah Burke, Orla O’Brien, Ciannait Walsh, Jean Kelly and Danielle Ryan while Niamh Cunneen, Sarah Madden, Ellen Cunneen, Ava Quigley, Kellie O’Dwyer, Ailbhe Treacy and Aisling Carey caught the eye for the ‘Mines.

Player of the Match: Danielle Ryan (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill).

Silvermines: Elaine Murphy (7); Ava Quigley (7), Katie Murphy (7), Emer Murphy (7); Jane Ryan (7), Sarah Madden (8), Phoebe Sage (7); Ciara Ryan (5), Ellen Cunneen (7), Ailbhe Treacy (7), Niamh Cunneen (1-1, 8), Kellie O’Dwyer (7); Maeve Cunneen (0-1, 7), Aisling Carey (0-7f, 7), Nessa Murray (7).

Subs: Dearbhla Slattery (7) for Murray (42); Miriam Murphy (NR) for J Ryan (50).

Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill: Danielle Butler (7); Mia Donovan (7), Ciannait Walsh (8), Sorcha White (7); Shauna Heffernan (7), Sarah Burke (8), Caoimhe Brady (7); Orla O’Brien (8), Leah Heffernan (7); Rachel O’Dwyer (7), Jean Kelly (0-1, 7), Danielle Ryan (1-2, 8), Lucy Heffernan (7), Gemma Fox (0-6f, 7), Jennifer Heffernan (1-0,7).

Subs: Ciara Slattery (6) for J Heffernan (45); Eibhlis McDonald (0-1, 6) for O’Dwyer (50); Aoife O’Dwyer for L Heffernan (55).

Referee: TP O’Sullivan (Lorrha).