Last gasp Rovers see off Borris

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Championship Semi-Finals

Shannon Rovers 0-14

Borris-Ileigh 1-10

Report: Liam Hogan at The Ragg

Shannon Rovers are through to the County Intermediate Camogie Championship final for the second year running after Aoife McLoughney’s injury time free secured victory over Borris-Ileigh in an exciting semi-final on Saturday.

It was McLoughney’s ninth point, and the timing was just right as seconds earlier the Reds had just lost a three-point lead following Tara Mockler’s equalising goal which created the possibility of extra time.

Rovers entered the game as slight favourites based on the premise that Borris-Ileigh would have to line out without their county player Nicole Walsh as well as county minor Kate Fitzgerald. Walsh would prove been a huge loss to Sean Maher’s side.

Rovers had their injury problems too with Celine Guinan and Rachel Hannigan unavailable and it took them some time to settle as Borris-Ileigh dominated the opening ten minutes with Julieanne Bourke showing why she is a county player as she toyed with Paul Darcy’s charges. The Borris girls were two points in front by the sixth minute with Aedin Hogan on target.

Aoife McLoughney’s superb point in the seventh finally got Rovers on the board but Julieanne Bourke replied with a 45 before points by Laura Leenane and Aoife McLoughney (free) had scores level at 0-3 each after sixteen minutes.

Scores were level for the second time ten minutes later when another McLoughney free was matched by a similar Bourke score. But by then the Rovers defence had grown in stature thanks to the brilliant play of Sabrina Larkin whose experience helped read the game like a book.

Their dominance allowed Rover’s slip into a three-point advantage with McLoughney scoring twice and Laura Leenane supplying the third. The lead increased to four when Paula Hanigan’s overhead strike from the edge of the small square was pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Mary Bradshaw.

Meanwhile Aoife Ryan replied with a splendid point for Borris but with the game reaching the half hour mark McLoughney and Paula Hannigan increasing the lead to four before Lillieanne Bourke cut the margin back to three with her fourth point leaving the Rovers in front at half time, 0-9 to 0-6.

The half time break did wonders for Borris-Ileigh and by the 36th minute they had cut the lead back to one thanks to Danielle Ryan and another Bourke free. A free by Aoife McLoughney got Rovers going again and the same player almost moved the Reds five clear, but her goal was disallowed as she was adjudged to have overcarried.

With play disrupted by injuries the tempo slowed a bit but in the 46th minute Emma Darcy stepped into score for Rovers before a well-taken point from the wing by Aedin Hogan kept Borris close to the leaders, 0-11 to 0-9 at the final waterbreak.

When play resumed Rovers regained their three-point advantage with Laura Leenane pointing after Emma Darcy provided an assist. But in all that time Borris-Ileigh were improving and with their defence led by Avril Ryan and Niamh Delaney they launched one attack after another allowing Bourke, Danielle Ryan and Aedin Ryan to test the Rovers defence. Danielle Ryan’s first-time strike whizzed past Aine Slattery’s goal before Aedin Ryan’s brilliant effort from the left had them two adrift once more.

Six minutes remained before Aoife McLoughney restored her side’s three-point advantage with a free in the 58th minute.

Borris-Ileigh’s were not resigned to defeat just yet and a minute into injury time they won a close range free. Julieanne Bourke went low with power, but her shot was saved. Rovers failed to clear however and in an instant Tara Mockler had first timed to the net to bring the team’s level.

Aine Slattery’s puckouts were always lengthy and her final one was similar giving Rovers the advantage of a 45-metre free. No pressure for McLoughney who converted with ease for the winner.

Yet there was another two minutes of added time, which gave both sets of supporters some anxious moments, but the Rovers held out.

Aoife McLoughney was player of the game but had tough competition in Sabrina Larkin who was immense at full back while Stephanie O’Sullivan and Aine Leenane never put a foot wrong in the corners and kept life easy for goalkeeper Aine Slattery whose puckouts were immense. Elsewhere Eimear Fogarty plus wing backs Niamh Franks and Francis Bugler played their part at half back and Gillian McKenna did well at midfield until she tired in the second half while Laura Leenane, Emma Darcy and Aine Cleary played their part in attack.

Julieanne Bourke was Borris-Ileigh’s best player with her midfield partner Tara Mockler provided good support. Aedin Hogan was their best forward with Danielle Ryan always a threat. Half backs Emma Kelly and Jane Delaney plus Niamh McGrath at full back played well in front of a reliable Mary Bradshaw in goal.

Player of the Match: Aoife McLoughney (Shannon Rovers)

Shannon Rovers: Áine Slattery; Stephanie O’Sullivan, Sabrina Larkin, Aine Leenane; Niamh Franks, Eimear Fogarty, Francis Bugler; Gillian McKenna, Ciara Cleary; Anna Harding, Aoife McLoughney (0-9, 5f), Áine Cleary; Emma Darcy (0-1), Laura Leenane (0-3), Paula Hannigan (0-1).

Sub: Sarah Leenane for Harding (41).

Borris-Ileigh: Mary Bradshaw; Emma Galvin, Niamh McGrath, Kate Delaney; Emma Kelly, Avril Ryan, Jane Delaney; Julieanne Bourke (0-4, 3f, 1 45), Tara Mockler (1-0); Emma Doolan, Aedin Hogan (0-3), Aoife Ryan (0-1); Danielle Ryan (0-2), Noirin Stapleton, Kellie Healy.

Subs: Anne Neville for Stapleton (blood 39-41); Anne Neville for Doolan (53).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy)