PLAYING in their first Leinster Club championship, The Harps put in a superb second half display to overcome Carlow champions Myshall and book a place in the Leinster Club final, which will be played in Durrow next Sunday against Kildare champions Celbridge.
Leinster Junior Club Camogie Semi-Final:
Harps 4-12
Myshall 1-6
Myshall were always going to be tough opposition after coming through their quarter-final match against Offaly champions Shinrone and this proved to be the case. In the first minute
Myshall's Nuala Quirke gathered the ball from Olivia Maye and sent it over for the opening point. The Harps responded with an Ashling Phelan point and this was quickly followed with a point from Elaine Mahony. Nikita Dooley replied for Myshall but The Harps were piling on the pressure on the Myshall backs with Angela Cuddy and Elaine Cuddy working tirelessly and were rewarded with two frees which were slotted over the bar by freetaker Louise Mahony. The same player added a point from play before corner forward Nuala Quirke, added another point for Myshall . Ashling Phelan replied with a point and from the resulting punk out Louise Mahony gathered the ball, soloed forward and send the ball over. Both teams were attacking and the ball travelled from end to end, only to be cleared by the defence. Eventually, Nuala Quirke broke through and slotted home to level the game. A pointed free by Louise Mahony gave the Harps a one point advantage at half time.
Harp's 0-07pts to Myshall's 1-03.
It was a different Harps team that came out in the second half, a half in which their full and half back line only conceded 3 points. The Harps girls dominated in all sectors and quickly established their dominance on the scoreboard. Elaine Mahony opened the scoring with a goal which was followed by a point by her sister Louise. the Myshall backline were now under severe pressure and Theresa Bennett slotted home two goals in quick succession to put the game out of Myshall's reach. Louise Mahony increased her score tally by adding a further 1-5 to the scoreboard. Myshall never gave up and Olivia Maye scored 2 points and Olivia O'Neill added another but it was not enough to effect the outcome.
This was a great team display by the Harps girls. Aine Mahony never put a foot wrong in the goal and had great support from her full backline of Joan Dollard, Laura Mahony and full back Michelle Fitzpatrick. The half back line were outstanding all through the match. Captain Denise Quigley, Caitriona Phelan (A) and Catriona Phelan (TB) were letting nothing past them. At midfield, Louise Mahony and Joanne Prior dominated the game especially in the second half and provided the forwards with plenty of ball. The half forward line of Elaine Cuddy, Erinne Dunne and Elaine Mahony and the full forward line of Theresa Bennett, Ashling Phelan and Angela Cuddy tormented the Myshall defence, particularly in the second half. Maeve Brophy, Joan Mahony and Martina Hyland also played their part when introduced.
Harps:Aine Mahony, Joan Dollard, Michelle Fitz, Laura Mahony, Denise Quigley, Caitriona Phelan (A), Catriona Phelan (TB), Joanne Prior, Louise Mahony, Elaine Mahony, Erinne Dunne, Elaine Cuddy, Theresa Bennett, Ash Phelan, Angela Cuddy.
Maeve Brophy for Elaine Cuddy, Joan Mahony for Joan Dollard, Martina Hyland for Theresa Bennett, Mags Prior, Marie Lawlor, Patricia Dunphy and Aoife Donohue
Fixture
Leinster Junior Club Championship
Harps v Celbridge @ 2.00 p.m in Durrow.
This will be a first for both teams and an exciting game is expected.