Dominant Boherlahan Dualla power to county intermediate camogie glory

FBD Tipperary Intermediate Camogie Championship Final

Boherlahan Dualla 1-18

Brian Borus 0-3

Boherlahan Dualla produced a devastating display of clinical finishing, outstanding teamwork and defensive discipline to comprehensively defeat Brian Borus and capture the FBD Tipperary Intermediate Camogie Championship title in glorious autumn sunshine at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday morning.

It was a thoroughly deserved victory for the Mid Tipperary outfit, who had stars all over the field and, once they established control midway through the opening half, never looked remotely likely to surrender their advantage.

The opening quarter was a competitive affair, with Brian Borus matching their opponents for effort and determination, but the greater scoring threat and quality of the Boherlahan attack eventually told.

Doireann Ryan opened the scoring in the third minute before Abbie Horgan doubled the advantage moments later. Sarah English responded with a fine point from play for Brian Borus after six minutes, keeping her side firmly in contention.

Suzie Delaney raised another white flag for Boherlahan in the 13th minute, but Brian Borus were still battling strongly at this stage, with Alison O'Mahony prominent in their efforts to contain the opposition.

However, the contest began to swing decisively in Boherlahan's favour approaching the midway point of the half.

Abbie Horgan landed another free before Neasa Dwan added a point from play, and from there the winners began to dominate possession and dictate the tempo.

Doireann Ryan was particularly impressive during this period, striking three points from play between the 24th and 28th minutes as the Boherlahan forwards began to find space with increasing regularity.

Another Abbie Horgan free brought the first-half scoring to a close, leaving Boherlahan Dualla firmly in command at the interval, 0-9 to 0-1.

Brian Borus needed a strong start to the second period, and Caoimhe Ryan duly delivered a point from play four minutes after the restart. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Boherlahan responded with a succession of well-worked scores.

Clodagh Horgan and Suzie Delaney pointed from play before Abbie Horgan added two more, one from a free and another from play. Delaney then struck her third point of the contest as Boherlahan's relentless attacking movement continued to cause serious problems for the Brian Borus defence.

The decisive moment arrived in the 45th minute when Neasa Dwan found the net, putting the finishing touches to another impressive Boherlahan attack and stretching the lead to 1-14 to 0-2. With the destination of the cup now beyond doubt, Boherlahan continued to press forward.

Abbie Horgan added two further frees, while Clodagh Horgan completed an excellent individual performance with two late points from play. Alanna English converted a free for Brian Borus in the closing stages, but it was little consolation for a side that had battled gamely throughout.

Boherlahan had outstanding performers in practically every sector of the field. Abbie Horgan was deadly accurate in attack, finishing with seven points, six from placed balls, while Doireann Ryan's four-point contribution was particularly influential in breaking the resistance of Brian Borus during the opening half.

Clodagh Horgan and Suzie Delaney were constant threats, contributing three points apiece, while Neasa Dwan's return of 1-1 included the game's only goal.

At the opposite end, captain Sarah Delaney led by example, with Paula Quirke producing a commanding performance alongside her in a Boherlahan rearguard that afforded Brian Borus precious little room to operate.

Leah Maher, Sarah McLoughlin and Leah Kavanagh also contributed to an impressive defensive unit that restricted their opponents to just three points over the hour.

To their credit, Brian Borus never threw in the towel. Alison O'Mahony worked tirelessly in an effort to stem the tide, while the Englishes, Sarah and Alanna, battled courageously throughout, but they simply could not find a way through the well-organised Boherlahan defence.

Ultimately, this was Boherlahan Dualla's day, and as the final whistle sounded beneath the autumn sunshine in Thurles, the celebrations could begin.

Scorers: Boherlahan Dualla: Abbie Horgan (0-7, 0-6f), Doireann Ryan 0-4, Neasa Dwan 1-1, Suzie Delaney, Clodagh Horgan 0-3 each.

Brian Borus: Sarah English, Caoimhe Ryan 0-1 each, Alanna English (0-1f).

Boherlahan Dualla: Marguerite Fryday; Leah Maher, Sarah McLoughlin, Leah Kavanagh; Evanne Gleeson, Sarah Delaney, Paula Quirke; Ellie Ryan, Aoife O'Donnell; Neasa Dwan, Clodagh Horgan, Doireann Ryan; Suzie Delaney, Anna Murphy, Abbie Horgan.

Subs used: Emma Horgan for Aoife O'Donnell, Aoife Kennedy for Anna Murphy, Maria Ryan for Leah Maher.

Brian Borus: Kacey Meehan; Caitlin O'Gorman, Shauna Maher, Rosaleen O'Gorman; Ciara Hickey, Alison O'Mahony (vice-captain), Helen Burke; Helena Walsh, Anna French; Mary Barrett, Caoimhe Ryan, Lucy O'Connor; Sarah English, Alanna English, Rebecca Burke.

Subs used: Ellie O'Connor for Helen Burke, Ava Caplice for Caitlin O'Gorman, Aoibhinn Casey for Rebecca Burke, Erin Brennan for Lucy O'Connor, Roisin Maher for Sarah English.

Referee: Tommy Ryan (Kiladangan)