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Windgap retain minor title emphatically
St. Canices Credit Union Minor Roinn A Camogie Final
Windgap 3-8
Dicksboro 1-5
By Michael O'Leary
It was finally played after a long delay in Dicksboro's grounds Palmerstown last Saturday afternoon, but Windgap finished strongly as they scored an unanswerable 1-3 inside the last 5 minutes to kill of the Dicksboro challenge and retain their Minor Roinn A crown.
The match was originally scheduled for Tom Ryall Park, Kilmanagh, but due to the persistent rain that fell along the Kilmanagh surface on Friday, both teams tossed for home venue, and Dicksboro were successful in gaining the first bragging rights.
The game itself was in the balance up until the last 5 minutes, Dicksboro squandered a glorious goal chance to draw level in 51st minute. Sonya Buggy found herself free in space in front of goal after breaking free of the Windgap defence.
However, her hand pass attempt goal bound was miraculously stopped by the brilliance of Windgap goalkeeper Laura Walker. The gap effectively sealed victory with a 55th minute following persistent forceful pressure.
A long ball towards goal by Suzie Dunphy, saw the Dicksboro defence pressurised by the persistence of substitute Katie Dunphy and the trojan working Fiona Walsh. The two combined along with Michaela Kenneally, and Kenneally let fly with a rasping shot from tricky angle for the clinching score. 3-5 to 1-5.
Niamh Phelan added three late points including 2 frees as Windgap cruised to victory in the end. The winners made a whirlwind start and they were already a goal up inside 40 seconds.
Niamh Phelan stood up to a free, and her shot caused havoc with the blinding sunshine for Dicksboro goalkeeper Aoife Prendergast. The sliotar ended up creeping beneath the crossbar, and Windgap were off to a flier.
Orla Hanrick pointed a 5th minute to open Dicksboro's account, but the city girls squandered two goal chances in the first 10 minutes. First, in the 5th minute, when Louise Kenny and Ciara Tyrell combined only to be prevented by last ditch defending, while in the 9th minute Eva Maher's goal shot hit the side-netting following great work from Sonya Buggy, Orla Hanrick and Rachel Lynch.
Niamh Phelan pointed a 10th minute free, before moments later, Michael Kenneally set up the constantly dangerous Laura Moore for a well taken goal to put Windgap in the driving seat. 2-1 to 0-1.
Hanrick (free) and Laura Moore exchanged points in the 13th and 17th minutes respectively.
Eva Maher blazed agonisingly inches over the crossbar with the goal at her mercy in the 18th minute, before it was Michaela Kenneally's turns to blast over the crossbar in front of goal in the 24th minute as Windgap maintained that 6 point lead. 2-3 to 0-3.
Dicksboro were given a lifeline in the 27th minute when Orla Hanricks free attempt saw a mix-up on the goal-line between Laura Walker, and Aisling Cody, as the sliotar ended up in the net. Michaela Kenneally concluded the first-half scoring with a point in the 28th minute as Windgap led 2-4 to 1-3 at half-time.
Scores were more difficult to come by in the second-half as only three came by the 54th minute. Orla Hanrick pointed a brace of frees, while Suzie Dunphy who gave a wonderful barnstorming second-half display pointed superbly from play in the 42nd minute.
Windgap were far superior, and there defensive line was extremely solid only conceding a solitary point from play. Eimear Moylan, and full-back Claire Grace were magnificent in defence, while Catherine Foley was solid at centre-back.
Suzie Dunphy gave a thundering second-half display, while upfront Niamh Phelan, Laura Moore who was a constant threat during the opening-half, the grafting tenacity of hard-working wing-forward Fiona Walsh, and Michaela Kenneally were all heroes in an excellent team display.
Substitute Katie Dunphy played a major part when introduced, and she was instrumental in the build-up to the winning goal. Orla Hanrick ploughed a lone furrow in the Dicksboro attack as an Eva Maher point was their sole remaining contribution.
Player of the match: Eimear Moylan(Windgap)
It was a tough choice with team captain Claire Grace, Fiona Walsh and Michaela Kenneally all worthy contenders. However, Eimear Moylan was model of consistency over the hour, and just shades the award for a sterling display.
Scorers - Windgap: Niamh Phelan 1-4(1-3 frees), Michaela Kenneally 1-2, Laura Moore 1-1, Suzie Dunphy 0-1
Dicksboro: Orla Hanrick 1-4(all frees), Eva Maher 0-1
Teams:
Windgap: Laura Walker, Aisling Cody, Claire Grace(captain), Gemma Long, Eimear Moylan, Catherine Foley, Ciara Molloy, Suzie Dunphy, Niamh Bambrick, Niamh Phelan, Laura Moore, Fiona Walsh, Leanne O'Neill, Michaela Kenneally, Amanda Power.
Subs: Katie Dunphy, Sarah Grace,
Dicksboro - Aoife Prendergast, Rebecca Knox, Niamh O'Connor, Claire Nolan, Danielle Kenny, Alex Horan(captain), Nicola Tynan, Lucy Sherwin, Sonia Buggy, Rachel Lynch, Orla Hanrick, Louise Kenny, Niamh Brown, Eva Maher, Ciara Tyrell,
Referee: Pat Hayes
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