Final heartbreak for Athenry again
Date Published: 10-Dec-2009
ATHENRY’S fervent hopes of a second ever All Ireland Senior club camogie title lay in tatters on the Clarecastle turf after an enthralling final played in atrocious weather conditions on Sunday.
This far and no further shall you go was the stark message from the powerful Cashel side who celebrated a second All Ireland club title in three years – both victories coming at the expense of Athenry.
The four-in-a-row Galway champions must surely be scratching their heads as to what they must do to land the Bill Carroll Cup, a title that has continued to elude them since the club’s one and only All Ireland triumph in 1977. In truth, the only emotion to describe the feeling of the Athenry players, supporters and management following the final whistle was sheer and utter heartbreak.
Unlike 2007, the Athenry women gave every ounce of energy to the cause but, despairingly, just fell short of the winning post, pipped only by a side that must rank up there with the great club teams of Pearses and Granagh-Ballinagarry.
Having survived an epic semi-final against Oulart the Ballagh, the Tipperary champions were in no mood to let the ultimate prize slip from their grasp. A goal to the good inside the final ten minutes, the winners failed to add to their tally, but held on against a late surge spearheaded by Jessica Gill.
Indeed Gill deserves tremendous plaudits for her contribution. Sidelined since early September with cruciate ligament damage, the former All Star single-handedly wiped out the impact of Cashel full back and captain Una Dwyer, who had controlled proceedings inside the forty for well over three quarters of the tie.
It poses the question what if Gill had been fit? But injuries played key roles on both sides and it must be mentioned that Cashel were without Sinead Millea, as capable a forward as any that stared on Sunday.
The passion and intensity of the exchanges never flagged throughout and though no quarter was neither asked nor given, exemplary sportsmanship prevailed from the first whistle to the last. It was as hard and as competitive a game of camogie played all season.
And while the opening half proved tight and tense, it was to be second fiddle to what came at the turnover. At the end of the first quarter, Athenry found themselves one point to the good, Mairead Morrissey and Laura Linnane traded points before Brenda Kerins and Therese Maher found the target for Athenry. Cashel’s response coming from the stick of Claire Grogan.
Crucially, Athenry gambled in redeploying Regina Glynn from centre to wing back in a bid to curtail the exploits of the towering Claire Grogan. But it became quickly apparent that the All Star corner back was in for a busy afternoon.
In the ensuing passages of play, Therese Maher broke onto a clearance out of defence, galloped through the centre and struck for the top corner, but was denied by a superb save from ‘keeper Helen Breen.
This was just one of a limited number of goal chances presented to both sides, with Laura Linnane and Emily Hayden spurning opportunities. Brenda Kerins and Claire Grogan registered scores before Laura Linnane (45’) and an inspirational effort from Noreen Coen sent Midge Glynn’s charges three points clear.
Critically, though, Athenry failed to build on their advantage, shooting six wides in that first half. Meanwhile, Cashel were making the most of every chance that fell their way, Claire Grogan and Alison Lonergan snipped a pair of points to reduce the deficit to a solitary point at the break.
Little things were going against Athenry – Maher’s missed goal chance and Linanne’s inability to spot Natalie Jordan on the edge of the square when a goal looked imminent.
Cashel, backed by the breeze, came out all guns blazing and by the end of third quarter led by 0-9 to 0-7. Emily Hayden, Mairead Morrissey and Claire Grogan (two) struck points. Clearly rattled, the best Athenry could conjure up was a free from Laura Linnane. Yet, hope sprang eternal and the introduction of Jessica Gill (heavily strapped) brought the largest cheer of the day on 46 minutes.
Gill proved to be the perfect target women, rising high to field superbly within two minutes of her introduction, only to see her ensuing effort dropped by Helen Breen and eventually cleared.
Claire Grogan re-established her side’s three point lead, though Katie O’Dwyer did narrow the gap back to two momentarily before Grogan looked to have sealed the win, converting a free on 52 minutes.
Athenry staring down the barrel of a third straight defeat to Cashel pulled momentum from the grey skies that loomed above to launch a grandstand finish. Brenda Keirns, Sarah Donoghue and Katie O’Dwyer were all causing problems for Cashel and suddenly a defence that had looked so secure for so long began to buckle.
Gaps appeared all over the place and panic bells sounded every time the ball crossed halfway. Athenry had one last chance to rescue the situation, but Gill’s 21’ yard free just rose above the crossbar for a point.
It was to be their final chance and, in truth they were extremely fortunate not to concede an injury time gaol as Stephanie Gannon pulled of a fine save from Emily Hayden.