Eglish Camogs Back In All Ireland Final

Sunday 29.01.2017

Camogie

It’s congratulations to St Patrick’s Eglish who reached the All Ireland club camogie intermediate final at the weekend. The Eglish side faced tough opposition from Munster club Gailltir from Waterford in the All Ireland semi final played in very damp conditions at Donaghmore Ashbourne Co Meath.

The Eglish girls got off to a great start after 4 minutes when Niamh McNulty drove the sliothar over the bar for the first score. This settled the Tyrone girls before the same player repeated the dose and fired over a second point in the tenth minute. Waterford All star Trish Jackman was wide from a free as both teams battled for supremacy.

In a close contest Eglish enjoyed most of the play but failed to make it tell on the score-board and fifteen minutes in Trish Jackman got Gailltir’s opening score.

Shauna Jordan worked hard to keep her team mates focussed while Leanne Donnelly landed two fine points to put Eglish 3 up before Gailltir scored their second and final point of the first half. 

Half time Eglish 0-4 Gailltir 0-2

With the second half under way both sides were guilty of some poor shot selection. Once again Eglish’s hard work was not rewarded on the score board. Their opponents pressed hard and were rewarded with 2 points in quick succession and with fifteen second half minutes played the match was all square.

Shortly after that came the score that ultimately decided the outcome of the game. The outstanding Shauna Jordan did well to win possession before finding Leanne Donnelly. Donnelly’s shot came back off the post but she reacted quickest to fire the ball to the net.

That score gave Eglish a huge boost and something to battle for as the intensity levels rose. Gailltir continued to press but their key player All Star Trish Jackmann was unable to escape the clutches of the tight marking Brenda Horsefield.

Leanne Donnellly then hit her 4th score and 3rd point to edge Eglish closer to creating history. Gailltir refused to give up and scored a goal in the 25th  minute but in a close and nervy finish the Eglish defence battled hard to hold on for the win. 

Final score Eglish 1-5 Gailltir 1-4

Niamh McNulty 0-2, Leanne Donnelly 1-4

Leona Gallagher, Laura Mason Brenda Horsfield, Cathy Jordan, Aisling Donnelly, Kelley Cuddy, Claire Jordan, Shauna Jordan, Ciara McGready (Captain), Ciara Donnelly, Maria Haughey, Niamh McNulty, Aisling Jordan, Meabh McHugh, Leanne Donnelly.  Subs Lisa Marie Skeffington, Julie Lagan, Siobhan Hughes, Amy Barrett, Denise Galvin, Meabh McGleenan, Annette Jordan, Aine Donnelly.

There were emotional scenes after the final whistle. It has been 27 years since the Eglish club last appeared in the All Ireland Club final. This year the team are managed by the quiet Martin Curry & sons from Middletown and all have worked very hard throughout the winter months. The hard work has certainly paid off with a place in the All Ireland club final in Croke Park on Sunday 5th March.