Kelly stars as Eire Og edge Cashel into semi-final

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Quarter Final

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill 1-15

Cashel King Cormacs 1-12

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Jean Kelly (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill)

SCORERS - Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill: Eva O’Dwyer 0-9 (6 frees, 1 ‘45); Jean Kelly 0-5; Danielle Ryan 1-0; Lucy Heffernan 0-1.

Cashel King Cormacs: Anna Fahie 0-5 (3 frees, 1 ‘45); Aine O’Dwyer 0-3; Aideen Bergin 1-0; Emma Bonnar 0-2, Lisa Blair, Grace Moloney 0-1 each.

Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill had just enough in reserve to hold off a spirited late Cashel King Cormacs comeback and book their place in the County Senior Camogie Championship semi-finals following an absorbing quarter-final at the Camogie Grounds, The Ragg on Sunday.

Played through almost every weather condition imaginable, this was an intense battle in which Cashel will rue the concession of a soft first-half goal, particularly given the three-point margin separating the sides at the finish.

Playing against a strong breeze, Cashel made the perfect start, Anna Fahie opening the scoring from a 45 before Aideen Bergin pounced on Aine O'Dwyer's delivery to flick the bouncing ball beyond Danielle Butler for a sixth-minute goal.

Éire Óg soon settled, however, with Jean Kelly leading their response. Two early points from Kelly helped them find their rhythm before Eva O'Dwyer's accuracy from placed balls and a fine Lucy Heffernan score saw them move ahead.

Cashel goalkeeper Aoife O'Brien was already having an influential afternoon, brilliantly denying Kelly a goal in the 21st minute, but she could do little about Éire Óg's breakthrough five minutes later.

Kelly's pressure forced O'Brien into trouble in possession and the loose ball broke kindly for Danielle Ryan, who made no mistake with the goal at her mercy.

Grace Moloney's excellent late point ensured Cashel remained in contention at the interval, trailing 1-9 to 1-4 despite playing into the elements.

Little changed initially after the restart as Éire Óg maintained their five-point cushion, with Eva O'Dwyer continuing to punish Cashel from frees while Kelly remained a constant threat from play.

Cashel were handed a lifeline when O'Brien produced another excellent save, this time denying O'Dwyer from a penalty after she had been fouled inside the square.

When O'Dwyer subsequently pushed Éire Óg seven clear in the 48th minute, the contest appeared to be slipping beyond Cashel. Instead, their response was impressive.

Substitute Emma Bonnar made an immediate impact with two points in quick succession before Fahie added another free as Cashel began to make increasing use of the wind.

O'Brien then produced another superb stop to deny Kelly before the Éire Óg attacker eventually registered her fifth point to give her side some breathing room.

Still Cashel refused to go away. Aine O'Dwyer powered forward for an excellent point to leave just three between them heading into added time.

Éire Óg almost sealed matters when Eva O'Dwyer's goal effort cannoned off the crossbar, before Cashel were presented with one final opportunity from a late 21-metre free.

Goalkeeper O'Brien came forward in search of the goal that would force extra-time, but her powerful effort travelled wide, finally allowing Éire Óg to breathe again after a dramatic finish.

TEAMS - Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill: Danielle Butler (7); Laura Heffernan (7), Caoimhe Brady (7), Shauna Heffernan (7); Jennifer Heffernan (8), Ciannait Walsh (6), Gemma Fox (7); Rachel O’Dwyer (7), Anne O’Dwyer (6); Danielle Ryan (7), Eva O’Dwyer (8), Ciara Slattery (6); Leah Heffernan (6), Jean Kelly (9), Lucy Heffernan (6).

Subs: Chloe O’Neill (6) for A O’Dwyer (HT); Rachel Heffernan (6) for Slattery (44).

Cashel King Cormacs: Aoife O’Brien (7); Ella O’Dwyer (7), Lisa Blair (6), Meabh Elle Ryan (7); Rebecca Delahunty (8), Lily Fahie (7), Emer Dwan (6); Anna Fahie (7), Katelyn Downey (7); Anna O’Brien (6), Aine O’Dwyer (8), Grace Moloney (6); Aisling Cully (6), Aideen Bergin (7), Joanne Crosse (6).

Subs: Nicole Shelly (6) for Anna O’Brien (HT); Jill Shanahan (6) for Crosse (37); Emma Bonnar (8) for Cully (46); Eve Moloney (6) for Bergin (52); Eadaoin Bonnar (NR) for Downey (60).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).