’Boro fare best in Leinster Semi-Final showdown

Dicksboro are through to the Leinster senior club camogie final but only after coming through a hard-fought encounter with St Marin’s (Wexford).

The Kilkenny senior county champions made their provincial intentions clear when they attacked from the off at Palmerstown on Sunday. The game had barely started before the ’Boro were in front, Aoife Prendergast converting a free to push her side into a lead they would not lose.

Prendergast was quick to double the home side’s lead with another free but, for the next 13 minutes the scoreboard didn’t change as neither side found the target. The stalemate was ended when Ciara O’Connor opened the St Martin’s account with a free before Linda Bolger levelled the game with a point from play.

Playing with the benefit of the wind St Martin’s began to get into the game, with O’Connor scoring two points to push the Wexford side ahead. However, Dicksboro didn’t take long to respond and fought back, Prendergast converting two frees to make it all square again.

The deadlock remained until the break as Prendergast and O’Connor each bagged a brace of pointed frees, leaving the sides locked on 0-6 apiece at the interval.

The second half was only two minutes old when the game took a turn in Dicksboro’s favour. The hosts took a big step ahead when Jenny Clifford raced after the sliotar when it was played into the corner. Gathering possession, Clifford ran along the end line before cutting back in and drilling an unstoppable shot to the net.

Martin’s were left reeling by that goal and tried to recover, Ciara O’Connor converting a free for the Wexford side, but the ’Boro were in no mood to let up. Pressing on they rattled off four unanswered points through Asha McHardy (0-2) and Aoife Prendergast (0-2 frees) as they stretched their lead to six points (1-10 to 0-7).

Ciara O’Connor converted another free for St Martin’s, but that was as close as they would get to reeling in their rivals. Over the final minutes, neither team added to their tally, but St Martin’s kept fighting for a way back.

With the game in injury-time Martin’s were awarded a 21 metre free. When Ciara O’Connor stood over the sliotar she has nothing but the back of the net on her mind, but Kirsty Maher made a brilliant save - the ’Boro were safe and heading to the Leinster final!

Dicksboro will play St Vincent’s (Dublin) in the provincial decider in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow on Sunday, November 19.

Teams and scorers

Dicksboro – Aoife Prendergast (0-8, frees), Jenny Clifford (1-0), Asha McHardy (0-2).

St Martin’s – Ciara O’Connor (0-7, 0-6 frees), Linda Bolger (0-1).

Dicksboro – Kirsty Maher; Jane Cass, Tara Clifford, Katie Byrne; Niamh Phelan, Caoimhe Dowling, Ciara O’Shea; Ciara Phelan, Aobha O’Gorman; Asha McHardy, Amy Clifford, Rachel Dowling; Aoife Prendergast, Orla Hanrick, Jenny Clifford (capt).

Subs: Rose Kelly for Orla Hanrick, Tara McGrath for Ciara O’Shea.

St Martin’s – Ellen Coleman; Katie O’Connor, Anna Hennessy, Mary Barrett; Marie Claire Morrissey, Sarah O’Connor, Amy Cardiff; Ella O’Connor, Ciara O’Connor (capt); Amy O’Leary, Linda Bolger, Lettie Whelan; Lisa Firman, Chloe Foxe, Emma Codd.

Subs: Sarah Hobbert for Chloe Foxe, Ciara Bridges for Lisa Firman, Aoife O’Connor for Lettie Whelan.

Referee - Ray Kelly (Kildare).