Drom & Inch edge thrilling battle with Slieve Felim to reach county final
Antoinette Kennedy's second-half goal proves crucial as Drom & Inch hold off a spirited Slieve Felim Rapparees comeback to secure a dramatic one-point victory
FBD Junior B Camogie Championship Semi-Final
Drom & Inch 1-14
Slieve Felim Rapparees 1-13
Drom & Inch booked their place in this year’s FBD Insurance Junior B County Final after edging out Slieve Felim Rapparees in a thrilling, go-to-the-wire contest, winning by the narrowest of margins, 1-14 to 1-13.
The sides were level at half-time, 0-7 apiece, following some fantastic scores from both teams. For Drom & Inch, Aoife Ryan and Joanne Ryan were among those to split the posts, while Dee Dunne was excellent from frees. For Slieve Felim Rapparees, Ann Hayes, Alice Butler and Anna Carr all got on the scoresheet in a rip-roaring opening half.
Excellent individual battles played out throughout the field, with Nóirín Kirwan impressing at centre-back for Drom & Inch, while Sarah Brennan tussled with Drom & Inch’s Antoinette Kennedy.
The sides remained close after the restart. Alice Butler, now operating at full-forward, was proving a constant threat for the Drom defence. At the other end, Drom’s Siobhan McGrath struck two fantastic points, while Antoinette Kennedy, who had moved into full-forward, raised the game’s opening green flag with a well-taken goal.
Slieve Felim responded superbly, with Alice Butler finding the net before they added another point to take the game right down to the wire. Their supporters would have hoped they could build on this momentum, but Drom & Inch deserve great credit for their determination and refusal to give in.
Patricia McGrath, Dee Dunne, Eimear Conroy, Cara Butler and Ruth Maher all battled tirelessly as the intensity increased. Dee Dunne continued to demonstrate her accuracy from frees, while Annie Phelan and Alice Butler added points for Slieve Felim. Orla Pamplin also produced an excellent second-half performance, using her pace to cause Drom & Inch plenty of problems and raising two white flags.
However, Drom & Inch held their nerve in the closing stages to secure a hard-fought 1-14 to 1-13 victory and book their place in the FBD Insurance Junior B County Final after a fantastic game of camogie.
Drom & Inch: Kristina Kenneally; Grace Moore, Gráinne Long, Patricia McGrath; Leanne Gleeson, Nóirín Kirwan, Eimear Conroy; Ruth Maher, Cara Butler; Siobhan McGrath (0-2), Joanne Ryan (0-1), Aoife Ryan (0-1); Dee Dunne (0-10f), Antoinette Kennedy (1-0), Orlaith McLoughlin.
Subs used: Ella Maher; Niamh Ryan.
Slieve Felim Rapparees: Sinéad Corcoran; Zara Cosgrove, Caoimhe McCormack, Méabh Browne; Molly McLoughlin, Sarah Brennan, Emma Corbett; Anna Carr (0-1), Jessie Shanahan; Alice Butler (1-7, 0-4f), Annie Phelan (0-2f), Orla Pamplin (0-2); Lara Shanahan, Ann Hayes (0-1), Hazel Ryan.
Subs used: Bríd Woodlock.
Referee: Ger Butler (Moyle Rovers)