St Finbarr's get defence of camogie crown off to winning start against Cloughduv
Sorcha McCartan scored five points for St Finbarr's as they got the defence of their SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship title off to a winning start. Picture: INPHO/Leah Scholes
St Finbarr’s got the defence of their SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship title off to a winning start at Ballincollig on Wednesday night.
It was a game they would be the first to say they were not at their best, but were still too good for a Cloughduv side that made them battle all the way.
Cloughduv had some outstanding performances, with one of their Cork players, Niamh McNabola, probably the best player on the pitch on the night.
She showed why she is part of the Cork senior panel, and on this display will be pushing hard for a starting spot next season. But the Barrs are an experienced side with players like Stephanie Punch and Aisling Egan in their full-back line, along with Kate Cahalane, make it tough for any opponents.
Up the other end, Sorcha McCartan was her usual handful for any defence, with Nicole Olden also in top form. Despite the win, the Barrs won’t be getting carried away and will know there is a lot of tough work ahead if they are to retain their title in the coming months.
Olden got the Barrs off the mark in the second minute, and three minutes later, they got the only goal of the tie. McCartan and Orlaith Cahalane combined to set up Eimear Hurley to score.
Cahalane added a point, before two from McCartan had them 1-4 to no score up after 11 minutes.
Despite the scoreline, in fairness to Cloughduv they weren’t playing badly but were just facing a talented Barrs side.
McNabola then started to burst into the game as Lisa Lynch got their opening point from a free.
McNabola set up Ciara Kelleher for their second score, with Rachel Hurley adding a third, to make it 1-4 to 0-3 after 21 minutes.
McCartan added two more, one from a 45 to stretch the Barrs' lead.
But Cloughduv finished the half strongly, with Lynch on target from another free, before McNabola was on target, to make it 1-6 to 0-5.
Another free from Lynch put only the goal between them at half-time.
Just like the first half, Olden got the opening score of the second, with McCartan also pointing to make it 1-8 to 0-6 in the Barrs favour.
McNabola scored a magnificent point from distance for one of only two second-half scores for her side.
Scores were scarce in the second half, with both defences getting on top.
Olden added another to increase the Barrs' lead, and when she got their tenth point, to make it 1-10 to 0-7 after 49 minutes, it looked all over for Cloughduv.
But they kept battling away, with Lynch pointing another free to make it 1-10 to 0-8. With time running out Cloughduv were awarded a penalty for a foul on Amy Sheppard.
She got up to take the penalty herself, but Ciara Hurley saved to deny her, with the final whistle going soon afterwards to see the champions off to a winning start.
S McCartan 0-5 (0-1 45, 0-1 f), N Olden 0-4, E Hurley 1-0, O Cahalane 0-1.
L Lynch 0-4 f, N McNabola 0-2, C Kelleher, R Hurley 0-1 each.
C Hurley; S Punch, A Egan, K Cahalane; M Cahalane, G O’Connor, A O’Neill; L O’Donovan, A Shannon; N Olden, E Wigginton Barrett, C Golden; E Hurley, O Cahalane, S McCartan.
A Byrne for E Wigginton Barrett (43), I Keegan for C Golden (58).
E O’Sullivan; H Dineen, A Kelleher, C Murray; L Bateman, L Buttimer, F Drinan; A Corkery, N McNabola; M Corkery, A Sheppard, S Fehily; R Hurley, C Kelleher, L Lynch.
A Lehane for S Fehily (40), B Corkery for R Hurley (57).
Colm Maher, Buttevant.
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