Ahascragh-Caltra survive titanic semi-final struggle

Eglish 0-10

(AET)

By Gordon Duane in Kinnegad

IN what was a titanic battle, it was that player again – Sarah Noone – who stepped up to clinch a place in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final for the green and red.

So many times in years past, she has been the inspirational leader, but Noone’s performances this season have been on another level as Ahascragh-Caltra have taken on each challenge head on – and have succeeded.

With the sides tied for the fifth time in the seventh minute of the second period of extra time, Noone stood over a free, near the sideline, into the wind and 65 metres out from goal. And having some earlier efforts come up short, struck the sliotar full and true, before splitting the posts for the winning score

Conditions were dreadful in Kinnegad on Sunday and a tight, ultra-competitive semi-final developed with never more than two points separating the sides.

From the start, the South Tyrone settled first and after a couple of chances went narrowly wide, Leanne Donnelly and Oilibhia Farley combined before Farley split the posts for the opening score. Earlier, Ahascragh-Caltra’s Ciara Power picked up a yellow card for an off-the-ball incident.

The Galway and Connacht champions could have been in serious bother, but for the outstanding reflexes of Laura Noone in goals, as she made not one but two point blank saves from Ciara Geoghegan and Reagan Fay

It was in the 17th minute before Ahascragh-Caltra eventually got their first point when Emma Reaney found the target before they quickly tagged on three more from Aoibhean Fitzpatrick, Ciara Murray and Reaney to take the lead for the first time.

But Eglish responded with two points before half time whistle, both from Ciara Geoghegan, as the heavens opened to leave supporters scurrying for cover. The sides headed to the dressing rooms at half-time tied at four points apiece.

Pictured: Ahascragh Caltra's Helen Cullinane tussling for possession with Oilbhia Farley of Eglish in Kinnegad.