Piltown storm back to win minor thriller

St. Canices Credit Union Minor Roinn C Camogie final

Piltown 2-8 
St. Annes 1-6

By Michael O’Leary

It was a game of two halves. A miserable evening weather-wise in Clara last Friday saw Piltown overturn an 8-point deficit as they recorded a memorable victory over St. Annes. St. Annes had built up a 1-5 to 0-0 at the stroke of half-time, and they appeared to be in control as Piltown were struggling badly shooting 7 wides during the first-half. However, Piltown came out playing at a much higher tempo after the restart, and inspired by Edel Long and team captain Laura Norris, they took a complete grip of the game. An inspired and significant switch was moving the tough grafting Siobhan Dermody from wing-back to wing-forward, with Ellen Cummins introduced as a substitute at wing-back.

Dermody constantly ran at the opposing defence, and her aerial ability to win hard fought ball proved decisive to Piltown’s victory.Inter-County under-16 player Niamh Darmody played her part along with Sinead McCarthy as both grabbed 1-1 each, while Leanne Dunne who started full-forward before switching to with Niamh Dermody worked relentlessly, and often during the second-half, she tracked back to help her defensive colleagues, and she won vital possession that helped launch her side on the attack.

A very strong breeze occurred, and St. Annes were on fire during the opening-half with Inter-county under-16 player Siobhan Corcoran very prominent. Corcoran pointed twice by the 7th minute, and the goal scored in the 3rd minute was an element of good fortune with Corcoran involved.

She dropped a ball in goal wards, as Piltown goalkeeper Jessica Norris hesitated, allowing full-forward Deena Phelan to bounce as she slotted the finish with consummate ease. Sarah Whelan at centre-forward was running riot, and she gave an exhibition scoring 0-3 from play, as St. Annes stretched the lead further to 8 points coming towards half-time.

Piltown finally opened their account on the stroke of the interval with a well taken point from Lorraine Long. Trailing 1-5 to 0-1 at half-time, Piltown had a mountain to climb but from an early stage in the re-start they came out with all guns blazing.

Four consecutive points from Debbie Phelan (free), Edel Long, Laura Norris and Niamh Darmody narrowed the gap to just three points by the 38th minute. 1-5 to 0-5. Piltown were on a roll, and further points from Laura Norris and Debbie Phelan (free) narrowed the gap to the minimum inside the final quarter. With momentum behind them, Piltown looked the more likely winners, and they seized the initiative.

In the 48th minute, a surging run from Edel Long saw her attempted shot drop short, and Niamh Darmody pounced on the dropping the sliotar that didn’t appear to travel with much conviction. However it took bounce along the goal-line and it was decisive as Piltown took the lead that they never surrendered. 1-7 to 1-5.

St. Annes were not finished yet, and having not enjoyed any share of possession during the second-half they tried to respond. Maedbh Broderick pointed a superbly struck free from 50 yards to narrow the gap, and the Piltown defence had to be alert as St. Annes tried to manufacture crucial scores.

The Piltown defence stood firm though inspired by Jennifer Norris who was imperious at full-back. Sarah McCarthy scored a vital point in the 54th minute, before victory was assured when Laura Norris’s surging run saw her attempt shot a point drop, and similar to their previous goal Sarah McCarthy was on hand to react quickest displaying alert opportunism as she neatly slotted the sliotar into an empty net. That was the icing on the cake as Piltown celebrated a deserved victory.

Best for St. Annes were the two corner-backs Maria Culliane and Eimear Grace who were superb, Sarah Whelan and Siobhan Corcoran in the first-half

Scorers – Piltown – Niamh Darmody and Sarah McCarthy 1-1 each, Debbie Phelan(frees) and Laura Norris 0-2 each, Edel Long and Lorraine Long 0-1 each,

St. Annes: Sarah Whelan 0-3, Siobhan Corcoran 0-2, Maedbh Broderick 0-1(free)

Player of the match: Jennifer Norris (Piltown)

It was a close tough call with Siobhan Darmody, Edel Long, Laura Norris and Eimear Grace all worthy recipients. However, Jennifer Norris was a model of consistency throughout, and she held the defence together, during that closing quarter when St. Annes threatened to respond.

Piltown – Jessica Norris, Brid O’Shea, Jennifer Norris, Kateylnn Phelan, Siobhan Darmody, Debbie Phelan, Alice Talbot, Edel Long, Laura Long(captain), Sorcha Phelan, Niamh Darmody, Lorraine Long, Sinead McCarthy, Leanne Dunne, Aisling McGowan,

Subs: Brid O’Shea, Mairead Power

St. Annes – Maria Cullinane, Sarah Darmody (captain), Eimear Grace, Karen Brennan, Niamh Sweeney, Niamh Cullinane, Chloe Purcell, Mary Corcoran, Siobhan Corcoran, Sarah Whelan, Maedbh Broderick, Marion O’Carroll, Deena Phelan, Edel Hughes

Referee: John McCormack