First win as Brigid’s get the better of Clara in Senior Camogie League

Saint Brigid’s (Kilmanagh-Ballycallan) recorded their first win of the senior camogie league when they beat round two opponents Clara on Sunday.

Laura Hennessy opened the scoring for St Brigid’s with a point from play. Rachel Whelan then equalised for Clara from a 50m free. Emma Shortall put Clara ahead when she scored a fine point on the run from the roadside sideline.

Parity was restored when St Brigid’s full-forward Orla Ryan equalised. Laura Hennessy tacked on a point before Orla Ryan hit a rasper of a shot to the Clara net to put St Brigid’s further ahead.

Amy O’Connor and Lauren Ronan slotted over a point apiece for St Brigid’s, leaving them 1-5 to 0-2 ahead after 17 minutes.

Keara Ryan led the Clara charge when she scored two points in quick succession, but St Brigid’s slammed the door shut on any comeback when they scored the final three points of the half. Lauren Ronan, Claire Doheny and Kate McCluskey all raised white flags as Brigid’s went in 1-8 to 0-4 to the fore at the interval.

They extended their advantage on the resumption, Claire Doheny stretching the gap with a great point before substitute Molly Conroy added another point from the roadside sideline.

Clara took some time to get going, but found their form soon after. Keara Ryan got them going when she pointed a free before sub Lucy Boyd picked off a great point on the run. Keara Ryan and Rachel Whelan slotted over two more points for Clara to narrow the gap.

Brigid’s were in need of a score, and duly got one when Orla Ryan scored a fine point after great teamwork out from her defence.

Over the next 10 minutes, both defences stood strong with neither team adding to their tally. The deadlock was finally broken when Niamh Byrne slotted over a point for Clara, who kept pushing in search of some match-winning scores.

Heading towards the final whistle they had a chance to swing the game their way when Emma Shortall ran at speed towards the St Brigid’s goal. She hit a rasper of a shot, which rocketed towards goal, but Brigid’s full-back Moya O’Brien saved the day when she flew across in front of the target and knocked the sliotar out for a 45. Keara Ryan slotted over the resulting 45, but it wasn’t enough to turn the game her team’s way. The full-time whistle sounded shortly after, leaving Brigid’s four-point winners.

Teams and scorers

St Brigid’s – Orla Ryan (1-2); Laura Hennessy, Claire Doheny (0-2 each); Lauren Ronan (0-2, 0-1 free); Molly Conroy, Kate McCluskey, Amy O’Connor (0-1 each).

Clara – Keara Ryan (0-5, 0-3 frees); Rachel Whelan (0-2, 0-1 free); Niamh Byrne, Lucy Boyd, Emma Shortall (0-1 each).

St Brigid’s – Miriam Walton, Nicola Butler, Moya O’Brien, Edwina Keane, Reece Delaney, Aisling Dunphy, Molly Butler, Kate McCluskey, Ava Brett, Tara Ronan, Amy O’Connor, Laura Hennessy, Eimear Keoghan, Orla Ryan, Lauren Ronan.

Subs: Claire Doheny for Eimear Keoghan, Molly Conroy for Tara Ronan, Siobhan Kenny for Lauren Ronan, Ellie O’Neill, Katie Brennan, Robin Delaney, Maggie Maher.

Clara – Aoife Glynn, Aine McDonald, Laoise Nolan, Tamsin English, Joanne Comerford, Katie Ryan, Rebecca Nolan, Rachel Whelan, Grainne Glynn, Aisling Curtis, Grainne Barcoe, Niamh Ward, Emma Shortall, Keara Ryan, Maria Shortall.

Subs: Lucy Boyd for Maria Shortall, Niamh Byrne for Niamh Ward, Margaret Keogh for Aine McDonald, Aoife Ward, Aoife Treacy, Roisin Kealy, Sarah Dunne, Rachel Brickell, Aine Walpole.