Congratulations to the Senior Camogie Team who clinched the Senior 2 Championship Title last Sunday in a thrilling match v Erin’s Isle!

 

Match Report by Dermot Malone

The venue was St. Peregrines, the date was Sunday 13th October and the opposition were a teak tough Erins Isle, side led by Dublin stalwart Louise O’Hara. The result however was exactly what our senior Cuala Camóg’s were training so hard for, a delirious one point win that elevates Cuala to Senior Division 1 of Dublin Camogie.

It was a full stand of anxious onlookers with fan numbers split equally between the two clubs. The game started with Isles benefiting from a strong breeze and racking up a point every two minutes without reply until they had garnished a 3 point lead. Cuala dug deep and started getting on top of the possession stakes, drawing level after 12 mins with the help of two nicely taken points from Rachel Hartnett. Cuala benefitted from lots of direct running, which opened up the Isles defence, with two goal opportunities coming from our own Dublin stars Sinead Wylde and Sinead Murphy, with Wylde’s effort skimming the crossbar for a point and Murphy’s incredible bit of individual brilliance matched by an equally brilliant save by the Isles keeper. It wasn’t all one way traffic however, with a few heart stopping moments as Isles had their own goal opportunity denied in a goalmouth scramble, in which the Cuala defence came out on top. Points were traded up to half time, with Cuala’s direct play giving the opposition no option but to foul, and three well taken frees from Eimear Hurley led Cuala into the break three points up 0-8 to 0-5.

The second half began as the first half had ended with another accurate Eimear Hurley free to extend Cuala’s lead, but from there Isles increased their intensity and the tackles hit harder. A point for Isles followed by another from Sinead Wylde and another again from Isles, brought the game to within three. Not to be outdone however, a clever ball from the aforesaid Louise O’Hara, dropped into the Cuala square, which led to momentary panic, with an Isles defender hitting the ground and a Cuala defender adjudged to have transgressed… referee David Murphy raised both arms and signalled for the penalty, which was duely dispatched to the corner of the Cuala net. Level scores. Cuala dug deep and the next three scores were for the red and white, courtesy of “Laoch na himeartha” Sinead Murphy, the newly introduced Julliette O’Flynn and the ever reliable Sinead Wylde, which meant that the travelling Cuala fans could breathe once more. But not for long. Minutes to go and Isles were on the attack on the left flank… a well taken pacey strike with a low dipping trajectory and the ball once more found it’s way into the corner of the Cuala net. Isles were not giving up without a fight… Yellow cards were traded, and Cuala somehow found strength from within, fuelled perhaps by the pain of near misses, having played and lost 3 previous Senior 2 finals in 4 years. In the dying minutes of the game, Eimear Hurley found herself as our furthest forward attacker on more than one occasion, gathering possession and taking on multiple defenders. It was a real battle that the Cork player relished, feeling right at home in red and white. One more pressure play from Cuala resulted in one more free… Confident and bold, Hurley steadied herself, Took a deep breath, lifted and struck a beautiful ball over the bar! Would that be it? Whistle ref? But not before 4 minutes of sustained pressure from Isles in extra time.. ball after ball dropped just short of levelling the game and forcing a replay. The Cuala defence stood firm and with possession in hand, the shrill of the final whistle, there were hugs and tears of joy all round for the red and white!

Receiving the trophy, our jubilant captain, corner back Ciara Byrne was generous in her praise for the opposition and officials, but left special thanks to Donal Murphy for his 10 years of dedication in guiding Cuala camogie to the pinnacle of the high table of Dublin Camogie. The pairing of Donal Murphy with JP Byrne, supported by a fabulous backroom team, has brought growth and success to this team and adult Cuala camogie in general.

Comhghairdeachas go Léir!
Cuala Camogie Abú