Boro have Leinster glory in sights

By Michael O'Leary

Dicksboro Camogie girls have Leinster glory in sights this weekend as they play the queens of Laois Camogie, Harps of Durrow in the Leinster Intermediate final this weekend. The Boro girls will enjoy home advantage, which certainly has to be a major psychological boost.

Following the euphoria of their dramatic last gasp injury-time victory over Tullaroan in a pulsating Intermediate final, it was back to business for Dicksboro as set sail on their Leinster adventure. They travelled to Dublin to face a tough encounter against Lucan Sarsfields in the Leinster Intermediate semi-final, and Dicksboro got the job done professionally winning 3-10 to 1-9.

A 12.30 throw-in meant an early start for Dicksboro and they led 2-5 to 1-4 at the interval with the goals scored by Niamh O'Donoghue and Orla Hanrick. O'Donoghue and Hanrick also pointed during the opening-half with Jenny Dillon also finding the range. A scrambled goal in the second-half sent the Boro on their way to victory, as Niamh O'Donoghue added four further points to stretch out the advantage with Lisa Hanrick also pointing O'Donoghue was top scorer with 1-6(0-3 frees), as attention switches to a showdown with the Harps girls this weekend.

Harps are seasoned campaigner at this stage, and they have been fantastic for Camogie in Laois. They achieved a hat-trick of consecutive All-Irelands from 2006-2008 before their adventure ended when defeated 3-10 to 0-16 by St. Annes in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2009.

The Leinster Intermediate championship was run for the first time last year, and Harps won the inaugural running of the competition overcoming near neighbours, a youthful and brave battling Lisdowney 0-12 to 1-7 in Durrow. Harps eventually contested the All-Ireland Intermediate club final last March, but they suffered disappointment losing out to Eoghan Rua of Derry 3-8 to 2-3.

The Laois champions made it 6-in-a-row winning a hard fought county against Camross 0-10 to 1-4, before negotiating a bruising encounter defeating Bunclody 1-9 to 1-7 in the Leinster semi-final last weekend. Those results suggest that Harps are not the formidable force they once were, and make no mistake, having been non-stop for the last 6 years, tiredness is bound to be a factor.

Nevertheless, they are a powerful physically strong outfit, with experience in abundance. Denise Quigley and Catriona Phelan are commanding presence in defence, and the Dicksboro forwards who have been in devastating goal scoring form all year, won't find goals as easy to come by.

The Mahony's Elaine, Aine and Louise are experienced players who have been great servants to the Durrow club. Dicksboro have scored 29 goals in their 7 competitive matches this year - over 4 goals on average a game - and in all their games, they haven't tallied less than 3 goals.

If a similar outcome transpires this weekend, provincial glory will be theirs. There is a feeling that this maybe the only chance that the Boro girls might get at winning a Leinster title. Certainly for the likes of the older players Jenny Dillon, Anne-Marie Hoyne and team captain Emer Tynan, this is a golden opportunity. Harps have the experience, but the Boro are younger and fresher with less mileage on the clock.

It may be a significant factor. Also, there is a hunger and determination to win a Leinster title, and that may prove to be the ultimate difference. The celebrations maybe in full swing out Palmerstown way.