Slick Eire Og prove too good for Silvermines

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Group 2

Silvermines 0-8

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill 2-18

Report James Hayden in Dolla

Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill laid down an early marker in the Tipperary Senior Camogie Championship with a convincing victory over a depleted Silvermines on Saturday evening.

Paudie Slattery’s charges proved too strong for a spirited ‘Mines outfit who, despite losing by fourteen points, remained in contention for long periods and were unfortunate to see their challenge unravel following a serious knee injury to influential midfielder Ailbhe Treacy in the 38th minute.

Her enforced departure, which resulted in a lengthy stoppage, appeared to unsettle Silvermines. Up until that point, Colm Maher’s side had given as good as they got.

Indeed, but for a magnificent performance from Éire Óg goalkeeper Danielle Butler, who was a deserving recipient of the player-of-the-match award, they could have been much closer at that point. Butler was outstanding throughout, producing no fewer than four excellent saves, including two from point-blank range.

At the opposite end, Éire Óg possessed a potent attacking trio in Leah Heffernan, Jean Kelly and Lucy Heffernan, who combined for an impressive 1-8 from play. In fact, all but three points of Éire Óg’s total came from play, underlining the quality and efficiency of their attacking display.

Both sides took time to settle, with early Éire Óg points from Jean Kelly and Leah Heffernan cancelled out by a sublime Maeve Cunneen strike and a Brid Quinn free.

Silvermines, who were without Katie Murphy, Sarah Madden, and Ciara Grace, matched their opponents during the opening exchanges, with the impressive Quinn providing a focal point for their attack and linking play effectively.

Danielle Ryan edged Éire Óg back in front after nine minutes before Ellen Cunneen responded with a superbly struck effort for Silvermines.

The Annacarty/Donohill side then produced the first major statement when Jean Kelly surged through the heart of the Silvermines defence before rattling the net with a clinical finish on twelve minutes.

The home side almost responded immediately when Maeve Cunneen broke free of the Éire Óg defence, but her goal-bound effort was brilliantly kept out by Butler. The visitors capitalised at the other end less than a minute later, with Lucy Heffernan arrowing over a superb point to put four between the teams.

Silvermines refused to buckle, however, and Maeve Cunneen turned provider on fifteen minutes, setting up Nessa Murray for a well-struck point.

The ‘Mines were beginning to find their rhythm and successive scores from Brid Quinn and Murray reduced the deficit to just a single point by the 20th minute.

Éire Óg responded with two pointd from Danielle Ryan and Eva O’Dwyer, but Silvermines goalkeeper Elaine Murphy then produced an outstanding save in the 25th minute to deny O’Dwyer a second goal.

Lucy Heffernan added another point for the visitors before Silvermines carved out another glorious opportunity before half-time. Maeve Cunneen broke through once again, only for her low effort to flash narrowly wide.

Two further points from Ciara Slattery strengthened Éire Óg’s position before Quinn converted a well-struck free in added time, leaving Silvermines trailing byfive points at the break.

Éire Óg emerged from the interval intent on extending their advantage, although a number of wides allowed Silvermines to remain within touching distance.

The game then took a significant turn in the 38th minute when Ailbhe Treacy suffered a serious knee injury.

Éire Óg immediately looked to exploit the opening, with Jean Kelly and Eva O’Dwyer adding to their tally.

Silvermines responded with an incisive attack, but once again Butler stood in their way. Right on the 45-minute mark, the Éire Óg goalkeeper produced another superb save to deny Brid Quinn, whose rasping effort looked destined for the net.

That proved another pivotal moment as Éire Óg began to pull clear in the final quarter. Eva O’Dwyer added successive points before Leah Heffernan extended the lead to seven with a fine effort in the 55th minute.

Jean Kelly, Rachel Heffernan and Eva O’Dwyer added three further points in quick succession as Éire Óg moved firmly into the driving seat.

Their second goal arrived in unfortunate circumstances for Silvermines. A delivery from Danielle Ryan took an awkward bounce off the hard surface, deceiving goalkeeper Elaine Murphy and finding its way into the net.

Leah Heffernan completed the Éire Óg scoring deep into added time as the West side secured a deserved, if ultimately more comfortable than the opening half suggested, victory.

Silvermines will rue the absence of several key players and, in particular, the injury to Ailbhe Treacy, but there were plenty of encouraging signs in their first-half performance.

Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill, meanwhile, will take considerable confidence from a comprehensive opening-round victory and the manner in which their potent attack and outstanding goalkeeper Danielle Butler combined to deliver a significant early championship statement.

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

Silvermines: Elaine Murphy (7); Ava Quigley (7), Grace Quinn (7), Jane Ryan (7); Niamh Cunneen (7), Eimear Murphy (7), Kellie O’Dwyer (7); Ailbhe Treacy (7), Miriam Murphy (7); Aoife Ryan (7), Brid Quinn (0-6, 3 ‘45s, 8), Nessa Murray (0-2, 7); Maeve Cunneen (0-1, 7), Ciara Ryan (Capt, 7), Ellen Cunneen (0-1, 7).

Sub: Aisling Carey (7) for Treacy (38 inj).

Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill: Danielle Butler (8); Shauna Heffernan (7), Caoimhe Brady (7), Laura Heffernan (7); Jennifer Heffernan (8), Ciannait Walsh (8), Gemma Fox (7); Anne O’Dwyer (7), Rachel O’Dwyer (7); Danielle Ryan (1-2, 8); Eva O’Dwyer (Capt, 0-5, 2f, 1 ‘45) 7); Ciara Slattery (0-2, 8); Leah Heffernan (0-3, 8), Jean Kelly (1-3, 8), Lucy Heffernan (0-2, 8).

Subs: Sarah Burke (6) for A O’Dwyer (54); Rachel Heffernan (0-1, 6) for Slattery (55).

Referee: Tommy Ryan (Kiladangan).