*Truagh/Clonlara’s Sinead Hogg goes for the sliotar. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
CLARE senior camogie champions Truagh-Clonlara are one step away from retaining the McMahon cup but they had to dig deep at O’Garney park in Sixmilebridge on Saturday evening.
Truagh/Clonlara 0-13
Scariff/Ogonnelloe 0-11
Venue: O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge
Recent meetings between Truagh/Clonlara and Scariff/Ogonnelloe have gone down to the wire with just one score between the sides in their last five meetings.
In last year’s county final an Aine O’Loughlin goal from a 20m free with the last puck of the game gave Truagh/Clonlara a first ever Clare senior title.
They carried the favourites tag into this week’s meeting of the sides as Scariff/Ogonnelloe had lost some of last year’s panel to travel and injury.
From an early stage, it was clear that this tie would follow the pattern of recent meetings.
The winners started well and had the opening two points from Eimear Kelly and Aine O’Loughlin but they were dealt a big blow soon after when Niamh Powell had to leave the action due an injury which leaves her doubtful for this week’s final.
A brace from Danielle Beston had the sides level at the end of the first quarter.
Three in a row for the holders followed from O’Loughin (2) and Eimear Kelly but in the last five minutes of the half Scariff/Ogonnelloe replied through the outstanding Abby Walsh (2) and Lynda Daly to leave the sides at 0-5 each as they wsent to the dressing rooms art half time.
Scariff/Ogonnelloe were growing in confidence and they hit the first two scores of the new half and led 0-7 to 0-5 at the three quarter stage in what was a hard physical battle from start to finish.
Aine O’Loughlin (free) and Eimear Kelly hit the target again and the sides were level for the third time with twelve minutes still to play. Abby Walsh and Aine O’Loughlin swapped scores to leave it at 0-8 each with two minutes of normal time remaining.
As the game went into ‘injury time Truagh-Clolara substitute Becky Foley was adjusted to have been fouled and Aine O’Loughlin’s point from the resultant 20m free look to have put them into the final.
Scariff/Ogonnelloe weren’t finished and Abby Walsh levelled in the third minute of added time to level the tie for the fifth time and send the game to extra time.
Scariff-Ogonnelloe made the better start with points from Abby Walsh but Laura Foley and Eimear Begley replied and the teams were level at 0-11 each at half time in extra time.
Niamh Ryan, an impressive substitute for rthe winners, put her side back in front early in the second period and Eimear Kelly quickly doubled their lead.
It was all out attack from Scariff-Ogonnelloe in the remaining time and it took two excellent saves from Sophie Cullen in the title holders goal to deny the East Clare side the goal they needed to re take the lead.
There were outstanding performances on both sides. Sophie Cullen, Sinead Hogg, Laura Foley, Eimear Begley, Eimear Kelly, and Aine O’Loughlin made valuable contriutions for the winners while Abby Walsh, Lynda Daly, Bonnie Wiley-Murphy, Susan Daly, Lorraine Grady and Alva Rodgers were prominent for Scariiff-Ogonnelloe.
Scorers Truagh-Clonlara: Aine O’Loughlin (0-6, 5f); Eimear Kelly (0-4); Laura Foley (free), Eimear Begley Niamh Ryan (0-1) each
Scorers Scariff-Ogonnelloe: Abby Walsh (0-7, 5 f); Danielle Beston, Lynda Daly (0-2 each)
Truagh-Clonlara: Sophie Cullen; Sinead Ryan Michelle Powell, Sinead Hogg; Ellen Horgan, Laura Foley, Laura Egan; Eimear Begley, Niamh Powell; Eimear Kelly, Joanne Egan, Hannah Horgan; Roisin Begley, Leah Hawes, Aine O’Loughlin
Subs; Aoibhinn Marren for N. Powell (inj 10); Becky Foley for H. Horgan (half time); Niamh Ryan for L. Hawes(48), L Hawes for A Marren (63); Hannah Horgan for J. Egan (75)
Scariff/Ogonnelloe; Rachel Daly; Aine Rodgers, Bonnie Wiley-Murphy, Robyn McKenna; Rachel Minogue, Susan Daly, Tara Mc|Namara; Abby Walsh, Labhaoise O’Donnell; Jennifer Daly, Lynda Daly, Danielle Beston; Lorraine Grady, Alva Rodgers, Ciara McNamara;
Subs: Caoimhe McNuty for C. McNamara (40);Joanne O’Grady for C. McNulty (69);
Referee: Kieran Liddane (Sixmilebridge)
