Town’s late flurry breaks Sliabh Rua hearts

(JJ Hurley)

(The referee getting ready to throw in the sliotar in today's county intermediate camogie league final, between Bishopstown and Sliabh Rua at Church Road)

Two Maeve Scannell goals in the final five minutes of the Intermediate League Camogie Final at Church Road on Saturday ultimately cost Sliabh Rua a county title.

Having secured three consecutive points from Kayleigh Murphy, Caoimhe O’Donnell and Emma MacSweeney, Sliabh Rua looked to have one hand on the trophy as they led by 0-17 to 1-8 with seven minutes remaining.

However, the city outfit threw themselves a lifeline when Scannell goaled twice in as many minutes to tie up the contest on 56 minutes.

Sliabh Rua managed to edge back in front a minute later as Hannah Deasy sent over a point, but late scores from Scannell and Kate Richardson broke Sliabh Rua hearts.

The game opened positively for the Clontead outfit as they raced into a two-point lead, with Niamh Nash, Horgan and MacSweeney cancelling out Bishopstown’s early advantage from Julie Scally’s opener.

Town reduced the deficit to a single point before Abbey O’Brien, who was prominent throughout the opening half, set up MacSweeney for a well-taken score.

MacSweeney added another point to her tally on nine minutes as Sliabh Rua moved 0-5 to 0-2 ahead, before O’Brien deservedly landed a fine score and Deasy opened her account on 14 minutes.

Sliabh Rua looked to be in control as Hannah Hayes produced a fine save, but she could do nothing about the rebound as Natasha Barrett finished to the net.

In need of a response, Deasy was on hand to stretch her side’s advantage to 0-8 to 1-2 with 17 minutes gone.

Murphy then fed a delightful ball to MacSweeney, but when she pulled the trigger, Marian O’Neill tipped the effort out for a 45.

On 28 minutes, a Deasy score was added to another MacSweeney point as the Clontead girls extended their lead to 0-10 to 1-3.

From there to the break, Sliabh Rua outscored Town by two points to one as Cork minor Caoimh Horgan and O’Brien were on target, while Niamh O’Donoghue replied for the city side, leaving the half-time score at 0-12 to 1-4.

The second half saw both sets of defences on top, with the Sliabh Rua full-back line, led by Claire Bernard, proving a tough nut to crack for Town.

However, Bishopstown gradually ate into their opponents’ lead as O’Donoghue and Scannell found their range, reducing the deficit to 0-12 to 1-6 by the 38th minute.

A brace of frees from MacSweeney and a single free from Scannell had the large Sliabh Rua support growing in confidence that the disappointment of losing last year’s county final to Ballinascarty on the same ground would be avenged.

While a Bishopstown 45 left just a goal between the sides on 50 minutes, three unanswered points from Murphy, O’Donnell and MacSweeney looked to have sealed the deal.

But Scannell had other ideas and her goals, coupled with a strong finish from her side, snatched the cup from the Carrigdhoun girls’ grasp.

It was huge disappointment for the Clontead side, but there is a sense that they will be back.

Scorers for Bishopstown: M Scannell 2-3 (1f), N Barrett 1-0, N O’Donoghue 0-3 (1f, 1 45), J Scally 0-2, K Richardson 0-1.

Sliabh Rua: E MacSweeney 0-7 (3f), H Deasy 0-5, C Horgan and A O’Brien (0-2 each), K Murphy, C O’Donnell and N Nash (0-1 each).

Teams:

Bishopstown: M O'Neill; A Linehan, A Ní Dheasmhúnaigh, S Walsh; A Ahern, F Kinsella, A Walsh; E O'Sullivan, S Walsh; J Scally, N O'Donoghue, K Richardson; N Stephens, N Barrett, M Ní Fhrighil; M Scannell. Subs: Orla Coffey, M Scannell, H Walsh.

Sliabh Rua: H Hayes; A Sheehan, C Bernard, A Coleman; A Halpin, K Murphy, C O'Donnell; C O'Mahony, L Kelleher; A O'Brien, H Deasy, C Horgan; E MacSweeney, J O'Leary, N Nash. Sub: E Rath.

Referee: S Spillane.