Carlow 4-12
Derry 1-7
Carlow junior camogie girls have an All-Ireland semi-final date beckoning on August 9 as they easily defeated Derry 4-12 to 1-7 at a sun-drenched Leighlinbridge last Saturday with star performer Lisa Abbey scoring 3-3.
The Carlow ladies were on the rampage right from the outset, and they already had 0-2 on the board inside 45 seconds as Lisa Abbey and Mary Coady pointed.
Lisa Abbey added a great point on the solo run in the 6th minute following terrific work by Mary Coady.
They extended the lead in the 10th minute when Marion Doyle blasted home from close range following a long-range delivery by Emma Brennan. 1-3 to 0-0.
Maedbh Boyle opened Derry’s scoring with a pointed free in the 15th minute, before Carlow hit an unanswerable 2-3 in a seven minute spell between the 17th and 24th minutes to put matters beyond doubt.
Lisa Abbey slotted the first of her three goals on the rebound into an empty net after Mary Coady’s initial shot was batted by Derry goalkeeper Ciara Boyle.
Lindsey Condell and Valerie Crean (2 1free ) added to Carlow’s scoring tally, while veteran Crean played a significant part in Carlow’s 3rd goal, when her darting run through the heart of the Derry defence saw her shot flicked on by Marion Doyle into the path of Lisa Abbey, who only needed the faintest of touches for a simple finish. 3-6 to 0-1.
Derry provided a mini-revival in the closing 5 minutes of the first-half as they outscored Carlow 1-3 to 0-1.
A low shot from Aisling Griffin, saw Noleen O’Kane and Tara Wilson tangle for possession.
Wilson overcommitted herself to the challenge and she allowed O’Kane to race through and she blasted home unmarked.
O’Kane added a point following a poor puck-out, while Maura McCauley (2 1f 1’45 ) added to the Ulster ladies account.
A point by Marion Doyle following good work by Teresa Meany completed Carlow’s first-half scoring total as they led 3-7 to 1-4 at half-time.
However, Carlow struggled to impose themselves during the third quarter as they only added two points during that period from Eilis O’Neill and Lynsdey Condell, drawing parity with Derry who were on target courtesy of Maedbh Boyle (free ) and Anita McNicholl.
Michelle Comer added another point for the Ulster ladies, but they regained dominance scoring 1-3 during the final quarter.
Mary Coady pointed a free, before Lisa Abbey scored a wonderful overhead point in the 47th minute.
Following a nine-minute barren scoring spell, Lisa Abbey completed her hat-trick with an expertly taken goal before a Marion Doyle point following a long-range Emma Brennan delivery completed the scoring.
An impressive performance from the Carlow ladies and with a number of players to come back from injury and holidays like Katie Purcell, Niamh Quirke, Margaret Coady, experienced veteran Ciara Mullins, Coleen McCabe and veteran warrior Olivia Maye, their prospects of reaching an All-Ireland final are greatly enhanced.
Lisa Abbey was the star on show as her hat-trick goal tally displayed her menacing goal threat.
Lyndsey Condell and Marion Doyle completed a formidable full-forward line that scored 4-7 in total.
Valerie Crean was terrific throughout displaying admirable intelligence belying her veteran status, while the defensive unit led by the imperious Tara Wilson was solid and tenacious.
Player of the match: Lisa Abbey (Carlow ).
Scorers: Carlow – Lisa Abbey 3-3, Marion Doyle 1-2, Lynsdey Condell, Mary Coady (0-1 free ) + Valerie Crean (0-1 free ) all 0-2 each, Eilis O’Neill 0-1.
Derry: Noleen O’Kane 1-1, Maedbh Boyle (1f 1’45 ) + Maura McCauley (1f 1’45 ) 0-2 each, Anita McNicholl + Michelle Comer 0-1 each.
Teams: Carlow: Miriam Walsh (Naomh Brid ), Pamela Whelan (Myshall ), Clodagh Byrne (Mount Leinster Rangers ), Tara Wilson (Myshall ), Marian Hynes (Naomh Brid ), Tracey Condell (Naomh Brid ), Eileen Murphy (St Mullins ), Teresa Meaney (Ballinkillen ), Emma Brennan (Naomh Brid ), Mary Coady (Mount Leinster Rangers ), Valerie Crean (Naomh Brid ), Eilis O’Neill (Naomh Brid ), Marion Doyle (Myshall ), Lyndsey Condell (Naomh Brid ), Lisa Abbey(Naomh Brid ).
Substitutes: Christine Thompson (Naomh Brid ), Edel Fenlon (Myshall ), Aoibheann Foley (Naomh Brid ).
Derry: Ciara Boyle, Sarah Louise Henry, Adel Archibald, Donna Eastwood, Hannah Doherty, Maeve McGilligan, Maureen Hannigan, Maedbh Boyle, Maura McCauley, Maeve McDaid, Aisling Griffin, Anita McNicholl, Noleen O’Kane, Michelle Comer, Niamh Archibald.
Substitutes: Janine McNeill, Sinead Devine, Katie Anderson, Shirley McCloughlin.
Referee: John O’Brien (Dublin ).
