Duharra start with crucial away win

Burgess/Duharra travelled to Annacarty on Saturday for their opening game of the County Senior Camogie Championship and came away with a well-deserved victory.

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Group 2 Round 2

Eire Og Annacarty/D 1-13

Burgess/Duharra 2-15

It was Eire Og Annacarty’s second game after a first round loss to defending champions Drom & Inch but unfortunately for the team from the west they suffered a second defeat in as many weeks with the North recording an impressive five point victory.

A very even, competitive game was played out between two well-matched sides.

At half time, Burgess/Duharra led by four points after playing with a strong wind. They held their lead in the second half against the wind due to a fantastic team effort and were deserving winners at the final whistle.

Both their goals proved crucial with Ciardha Maher finding the net in the first half while her sister Caoilfhoinn was on target in the second. The third Maher sister Caoimhe was one of the game’s standout players at centre back.

After an entertaining opening half, the visitors led 1-9 to 1-5. Ciardha Maher adding two points to her goal in an impressive first half performance. Jenny Grace was her usual sublime self from frees hitting seven in the first half from all over the pitch.

Jennifer Heffernan, on her senior championship debut, pointed in the first half for the home side while Eva O’Dwyer was on target from frees.

With the aid of the wind, Burgess/Duharra had opened up a healthy lead heading to half time before Lucy Heffernan goaled, after a good pass from Jean Kelly to cut the deficit to four points.

Both sides traded points in the second half but despite the best efforts of the Annacarty attack, Caoilfhoinn Maher’s goal meant there was always breathing space for Duharra.

Their excellent defence led by Aisling Cremin and Caoimhe Maher meant Eire Og Annacarty couldn’t get in for a second goal that they badly needed to build some pressure while Jenny Grace kept the scoreboard ticking over with five second half points, including three great strikes from play.

Best for Annacarty were Gemma Fox, Sarah Burke, and Shauna Heffernan.

Player of the Match: Caoimhe Maher (Burgess/Duharra).

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill: Danielle Butler (6); Orlagh Walsh (7), Caoimhe Brady (6), Shauna Heffernan (8); Orla O’Brien (7), Gemma Fox (8), Sarah Burke (0-1, 8), Ciannait Walsh (6), Jean Kelly (0-3, 8), Lucy Heffernan (1-0, 7), Rosanna O’Donnell (6), Jennifer Heffernan (0-1, 7), Eva O’Dwyer (0-8f, 7), Danielle Ryan (6), Eibhlis McDonald (6).

Subs used: Rachel O’Dwyer, Leah Heffernan, Cora Heffernan, Elaine Kelly.

Burgess/Duharra: Ciara Holohan (7); Iris Grace (7), Aisling Cremin (7), Ella Slattery (7); Ciara McKeogh (7), Caoimhe Maher (8), Malwina Dziewiatka (6); Jenny Grace (0-12, 9f, 8), Kaitlin O’Halloran (6); Róisín Duffy (6), Katie Grace (6), Caoilfhoinn Maher (1-0, 7); Tara Kennedy (6), Ciardha Maher (1-2, 8), Danielle Nealon (0-1).

Referee: Paul Carew (Lattin Cullen).