Dicksboro see off Piltown to claim Senior Camogie League title

Dicksboro were victorious in the Michael Lyng Motors Senior League Final played in Blacks and White’s GAA Club in Tom Walsh Park where they overcame a gallant Piltown side.

The two teams had already met in the league where the city side came out on top by five points , the victory here wasn’t as clear cut with the game still up for grabs in stoppage time.

The game was only five minutes old when Aine Doyle knocked over a free for Piltown as she struck over a nice point into the breeze.

Straight from the resulting puckout the Boro created their first opportunity with Aoife Prendergast converting a free after Rachel Dowling was fouled.

Aobha O’Gorman then put the ’Boro into the lead before Heather Phelan got her first point in the 11th minute of the opening half.

The city side had a sizeable wind at their backs and they were slowly gaining momentum with county star Aoife Prendergast converting her second free.

Piltown then responded with the opening goal of the game as an Aoife Norris clearance ended up with Ellen O’Keeffe being fouled and from the resulting free, Katie Power challenged for the ball in the square and the sliotar was forced into the net.

Points were shared afterwards as a Heather Phelan free was cancelled out by ’Boro efforts from O’Gorman and Prendergast.

Dicksboro then got goal of their own when Prendergast released Rachel Dowling and off her left side she gave Aoife Norris no chance in the Piltown goal.

The winners were relentless up until the half-time interval with further scores from Aobha O’Gorman and Caoimhe Dowling giving the side in maroon a six point lead at the break (1-10 to 1-4).

Piltown had the elements at their back in the second half and after scoring the last point of the opening half, Heather Phelan continued her scoring spell with the first point of the second half.

Aine Doyle and Katie Power then added further scores to the Piltown tally as only three points separated the sides.

Piltown seemed to have all the momentum at this stage but Dicksboro did steady themselves with points from Prendergast and Asha McHardy.

The ’Boro still led by five as a result but when Aine Doyle knocked over successive frees, there was once again only a puck of the ball between the two sides.

The final 10 minutes was hectic stuff and scores were very much at a premium until Lorna O’Shea added on another point for Piltown.

Even though Heather Phelan continued with her accuracy in front of goal the Boro weren’t to be denied with Rachel Dowling sealing the win with a well taken free in stoppage time.

A good start to the season for the Boro as they now switch attention to the championship in the coming weeks as they aim to make up for losing last year’s final to Thomastown while for Piltown, they will be hoping the injury that forced Aoife Doyle off in the first half is not too serious.

Teams and Scorers

Dicksboro: Aoife Prendergast (0-7, 0-6 frees), Rachel Dowling (1-1, 0-1 free), Aobha O’Gorman (0-3), Caoimhe Dowling; Asha McHardy (0-1 each)

Piltown: Heather Phelan (0-5, 0-5 frees), Aine Doyle (0-4, 0-3 frees), Katie Power (1-1), Lorna O’Shea (0-1)

Dicksboro: Kirsty Maher; Angela Carroll, Jane Cass, Katie Byrne; Niamh Phelan, Caoimhe Dowling, Tara McGrath; Ciara Phelan, Ciara O’Shea; Asha McHardy, Aobha O’Gorman, Rachel Dowling; Aoife Prendergast, Amy Clifford, Aisling Browne.

Subs: Rachel Egan, Danielle Kenny, Caoimhe Carroll, Bronagh Doheny, Sarah O’Gorman, Becky Peters, Kate O’Neill. Orlaith O’Shea, Orlaith Moore, Emer Phelan, Sinead Carroll, Issey Carroll, Isabelle Fahy, Isabelle Egan, Cara Duggan, Isabel Roberts, Tara Clifford, Orla Hanrick, Jenny Clifford, Rose Kelly, Niamh O’Donoghue.

Piltown: Aoife Norris; Lorraine Long, Kellyann Doyle, Jenni O’Dea; Emer Long, Laura Norris, Emily McCarthy; Aoife Doyle, Katie Power; Aine Doyle, Niamh Culleton, Ellen O’Keeffe; Sophie Holden, Heather Phelan, Sinead McCarthy.

Subs: Lorna O’Shea for Aoife Doyle, Maire Beth Kirby, Alice Talbot, Chloe Power, Leah Cooney, Edel Long, Nicola Phelan, Ciara Dunne, Rachel O’Shea, Sarah Norris, Lisa Norris, Chloe Holden, Katelyn Phelan, Sophie Long, Aoife O’Shea, Karen Duggan.