Dicksboro fare best in senior city derby with O'Loughlin Gaels

Dicksboro got their second win in the senior camogie league championship and took some city bragging rights when they got the better of O’Loughlin Gaels on Sunday.

While Aoife Dillon opened the scoring with a pointed free for the home side in John’s Park the advantage proved shortlived as Jenny Clifford rattled the net with just four minutes on the clock, the score coming at the end of a high-speed run.

Laura Greene slotted over a free for the home side, but Rachel Dowling pulled a point for the ’Boro after Aoife Prendergast’s shot had come back off the upright.

The visitors stretched their lead with Dowling and Orla Hanrick tacking on further points. Kate Lawless got a point back for O’Loughlins, but Aoife Prendergast converted two frees to leave five points between the teams.

Ruth Crowley scored a fine point for O’Loughlins after great team work between Aoife Dillon and Jennifer O’Keeffe to get in behind the ’Boro defence and Crowley slotted over the bar.

The ’Boro finished the first half scoring, with Orla Hanrick and Aoife Prendergast firing over a point each, leaving the tie in their side’s favour at the break (1-7 to 0-4).

On the resumption of play Asha McHardy and Aoife Dillon traded points. However, the next 13 minutes saw the ’Boro hit a purple patch as they struck six unanswered points. Aoife Prendergast led the way with three scores (two frees), with Rachel Dowling (2) and Amy Clifford completing the run as the ’Boro now led 1-14 to 0-5.

Aoife Dillon did slot over two pointed frees for the home side, but these proved to be their last scores as Dicksboro took control of the final quarter. ’Boro midfielder Aobha O’Gorman got on the scoresheet with a point after a loose clearance from defence found her unmarked. Aoife Prendergast, Rachel Dowling and Asha McHardy (2) added further points before the winners finished with a flourish. Orla Hanrick scored a great goal after the initial shot on goal was saved by the O’Loughlins netminder.

Then, heading into injury time, Asha McHardy hit a rasper past the goalie from a tight angle. Amy Clifford had the final score of the match – another goal – from distance out on the graveyard sideline.

While there is a break in action this weekend, the ’Boro will play Thomastown while O’Loughlin Gaels play Tullaroan when the league championship resumes on September 7.

Teams and scorers

Dicksboro – Aoife Prendergast (0-7, 0-5 frees), Asha McHardy (1-3), Orla Hanrick (1-2), Rachel Dowling (0-5), Amy Clifford (1-1), Jenny Clifford (1-0), Aobha O’Gorman (0-1).

O’Loughlin Gaels – Aoife Dillon (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45); Laura Greene (0-1, free); Kate Lawless, Ruth Crowley (0-1 each).

Dicksboro – Cara Duggan; Sarah O’Gorman, Tara Clifford, Jane Cass; Niamh Phelan, Caoimhe Dowling, Tara McGrath; Jenny Clifford, Ciara Phelan; Aobha O’Gorman, Amy Clifford; Rachel Dowling; Aoife Prendergast, Orla Hanrick, Rose Kelly.

Subs: Asha McHardy for Rose Kelly (inj), Caoimhe Carroll for Jane Cass, Aisling Browne for Sarah O’Gorman, Ali Greaney for Aobha O’Gorman, Izzy Roberts for Rachel Dowling.

O’Loughlin Gaels – Kate Furlong; Jennifer Holohan, Ailbhe Galwey, Shauna Brennan; Riona Crowley, Danielle Quigley, Hannah Quinn; Jennifer O’Keeffe, Laura Greene (captain); Aoife Shealy, Aoibhe Quinn, Siofra O’Leary; Kate Lawless, Ruth Crowley, Aoife Dillon.

Subs: Samantha Mguni for Jennifer O’Keeffe, Shauna Ryan for Laura Greene (inj).

Referee – Eamon Larkin (James Stephens).