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11 Oct 2025

Ice-cool Mahony holds nerve to send Danesfort into camogie semi-finals

Danesfort 0-13 Emeralds 3-3

Ice-cool Mahony holds nerve to send Danesfort into camogie semi-finals

Davina Tobin (Emeralds) moves in to close down Shauna Mahony (Danesfort) during their intermediate county semi-final. Picture: Billy Culleton

Danesfort booked their place in the intermediate county final but only after coming through a hard-fought match with the Emeralds (Urlingford) in Pairc Lachtain on Sunday.

Danesfort started the match with all guns blazing and hit the first four points through Rachel Phelan, Niamh Davis, Eva Dunne and Olivia Mahony (free). However, Emeralds recovered from their slow start in style after Lily Cleere hit a shot towards the Danesfort goal with 12 minutes on the clock. Bronagh Davis batted the sliotar away, but full-forward Emma Kenny was quickest to react. Pulling first time, she sent the sliotar flying to the back of the net, putting Emeralds on the scoreboard in emphatic fashion.

Danesfort then hit the next two points from Eva Dunne and Olivia Mahony (45), but talisman Anne Dalton hit a fantastic point for Emeralds against the wind, splitting the posts from 50 yards. Danesfort’s Niamh Davis hit the last score of the half with a point from play, leaving her side 0-7 to 1-1 to the good.

Dalton got the ball rolling when she grabbed the first score of the second half with a pointed free for Emeralds. Niamh Davis added a point for Danesfort to put them three ahead. Over the next 12 minutes, both teams tried to add to their tally, but both defences stood strong

Then, in the 46th minute, Emeralds got in for a second goal. The big score came after a shot on goal was batted away by the Danesfort goalie. Lily Cleere pounced on the loose ball and sent the green flag flying. From the resulting puckout, Emeralds went on the attack again and Aoibhe Bourke was on the end of the through ball. She pulled first time - the sliotar flew into the top corner of the net.

Although Emeralds were now three points ahead, Danesfort didn’t panic. Chasing the game, they reeled off the next three points through the Mahony sisters Olivia (two frees) and Shauna, to draw level at 3-2 to 0-11.

It was advantage Emeralds once again when Anne Dalton scored another great point, bursting out of a ruck and slotting the sliotar over the bar. Olivia Mahony equalised with a pointed free.

It looked like the game was heading for extra-time, but Danesfort went for broke with one last effort. The ’Fort took a shot on goal but it was deflected out for a 45. Olivia Mahony held her nerve and duly converted it, that point sending Danesfort into the county final where they’ll meet Mooncoin.

Teams and Scorers

Danesfort – Olivia Mahony (0-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 45); Niamh Davis (0-3); Eva Dunne, Rachel Phelan (0-2 each); Shauna Mahony (0-1).

Emeralds – Emma Kenny, Aoibhe Bourke, Lily Cleere (1-0 each); Anne Dalton (0-3, 0-2 frees).

Danesfort - Bronagh Davis; Clodagh Doyle, Jill O’Brien, Aileen Gleeson; Grace Byrne, Muireann Kelly (captain), Ciara Gleeson; Shauna Mahony, Olivia Mahony; Eva Dunne, Niamh Davis, Louisa Gilmore; Deirdre Phelan, Aoife Farrell, Rachel Phelan.

Emeralds - Siobhan O’Hara; Jessie Newman, Niamh Leahy (captain), Saoirse Bourke; Eimear Leahy, Davina Tobin, Lucy Kavanagh; Mary Cussen, Emily Kavanagh; Lilly Cleere, Anne Dalton, Louise Hickey; Ruth Ryan, Emma Kenny, Aoibhe Bourke.

Sub: Aoife Kavanagh for Mary Cussen.

Referee - Eamon Larkin (James Stephens)

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