Duharra eventually shake off Silvermines challenge
Silvermines 1-7
Burgess/Duharra 2-12
Report: Enda Treacy in Dolla
Burgess/Duharra 2-12
Report: Enda Treacy in Dolla
Burgess/Duharra sealed top spot in group 2 of the County Senior Camogie Championship in comfortable fashion to make it three group as they overpowered a battling Silvermines last Friday.
Despite the slow start from Burgess/Duharra they were never really in trouble of losing this one, with their greater scoring threat proving to be the trump card over a Silvermines team that couldn’t match the forward power of their opponents.
A fortuitous Jenny Grace goal before the second half water break was the decisive score with the Duharra ladies looking like they are set for a firm crack at wrestling back the title going into the knockout stages.
It looked like it would be an exciting contest from the outset as the home side came with fire and brimstone early, with Nicola Butler’s goal from a long ball deceiving Ciara Holohan to hit the back of the net within the first 60 seconds. That glorious start was soon added to by Aisling Carey a few minutes later to give the ‘Mines a four-point lead as they firmly laid down a marker to their opponents in the opening quarter.
Aine Gillespie got Burgess’ up and running with a fine score from a tight angle soon after and was quickly added to by a brace of Jenny Grace points as the gap was quickly eroded to a single point after ten minutes.
A poor puckout from Ciara Holohan gifted Brid Quinn an easy score to extend the ‘Mines lead but the early home dominance was being halted somewhat as poor discipline at the back was giving Jenny Grace ample opportunities for scores, which she took, notching four of her sides next five points, along with a classy goal coming from the deadly Amy Kennedy, which put Burgess firmly ahead after 21 minutes, 1-7 to 1-2.
Quinn had sent over a fine effort a couple of minutes later from a lovely cross-field ball from Niamh Cunneen with Carey again finding her range after missing a few easy chances previously, to cut the lead back, as Janette Collins made a great save from Emily Morrissey a minute later to keep the deficit manageable going into half time, as they trailed 1-8 to 1-4 at the break.
Contrary to the first period, the second half in comparison was extremely stop-start and this would of course suit Burgess/Duharra as they held the lead and they started brightly as they had a penalty in the 34th minute as Amy Kennedy was brought down in the square; she stepped up and struck the penalty nicely but Collins again got behind the ball to deflect it excellently away.
Brid Quinn reduced the gap to a single score with a well-taken free a minute later but that is as close as the ‘Mines would come to bridging the gap as the home sides indiscipline would be their undoing and when Jenny Grace’s point attempt from a free ended in goal, the ‘Mines heads dropped.
Indeed, only one of Burgess/Duharra’s scores in the second half came from play and you simply can’t give Jenny Grace chances from placed balls and expect to not get punished, and between the 40th & 50th minutes, she would score 1-4 without reply as the result was all but confirmed from here.
Substitute Sarah Madden whipped over a nice score for the ‘Mines in response to that avalanche of scores from Burgess, but the scores weren’t coming heavy and often enough from a home viewpoint and they could only muster another pointed Quinn free before the end, as Amy Kennedy seen out her teams scoring after a nice assist from Ciardha Maher to give their side a comfortable victory.
That win sees Burgess top the group comfortably with a one hundred percent record while Silvermines finish the group in third place with the quarter finals to come this Friday.
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Ciara McKeogh (Burgess/Duharra)
Silvermines: Janette Collins; Katie Murphy, Miriam Murphy, Nessa Murray; Ciara Dwan, Ciara Ryan, Rebecca Forde; Emer Tuohy, Aine Tuohy; Brid Quinn, Nicola Butler, Eimear Murphy; Niamh Cunneen, Aisling Carey, Laura Cunneen.
Subs: Rachel Kennedy for Murray (20 inj); Sarah Madden for Carey (HT); Ellen Cunneen for L Cunneen (42).
Burgess/Duharra: Ciara Holohan; Orla Gillespie, Aisling Cremin, Fiona Kirwan; Gemma Grace, Caoimhe Maher, Katie Grace; Ruth Barry, Ciara McKeogh; Ciardha Maher, Jenny Grace, Aine Gillespie; Kaitlin O’Halloran, Amy Kennedy, Emily Morrissey.
Subs: Katie O’Flaherty for O’Halloran (43); Una Quigley for A Gillespie (58).
Referee: TP O’Sullivan (Nenagh Eire Og)
Player of the Match: Ciara McKeogh (Burgess/Duharra)
Silvermines: Janette Collins; Katie Murphy, Miriam Murphy, Nessa Murray; Ciara Dwan, Ciara Ryan, Rebecca Forde; Emer Tuohy, Aine Tuohy; Brid Quinn, Nicola Butler, Eimear Murphy; Niamh Cunneen, Aisling Carey, Laura Cunneen.
Subs: Rachel Kennedy for Murray (20 inj); Sarah Madden for Carey (HT); Ellen Cunneen for L Cunneen (42).
Burgess/Duharra: Ciara Holohan; Orla Gillespie, Aisling Cremin, Fiona Kirwan; Gemma Grace, Caoimhe Maher, Katie Grace; Ruth Barry, Ciara McKeogh; Ciardha Maher, Jenny Grace, Aine Gillespie; Kaitlin O’Halloran, Amy Kennedy, Emily Morrissey.
Subs: Katie O’Flaherty for O’Halloran (43); Una Quigley for A Gillespie (58).
Referee: TP O’Sullivan (Nenagh Eire Og)