The Intermediate camogie team’s championship odyssey came to a dramatic end last Sunday morning in Kiltipper where we lost a thrilling encounter with Thomas Davis’s A team after extra time by 2-12 to 2-9.

The first meeting of these teams in Championship 2024 was in the first group game where Davis’s ran out convincing winners by 7 points. When they opened up an impressive 7 points to 3 lead midway through the first half on a wet and windy morning at the foot of the Dublin mountains few neutral observers would have expected the rollercoaster game that ensued. The imperious Fiona Hayes contributed all of BSJs 6 first half points to leave the score 8-6 at the short whistle with Ballinteer in the ascendancy in the second quarter. Again our half-back line contributed way beyond their tender years with Ciara Andrews’s pace troubling the very dangerous Waddick in attack and defence, the silken touch of Robyn Kennelly the launchpad for several attacks and Grace Lynch reading the game to perfection. Inside, the rock-solid rearguard of Louise Hayes, Ruth Keoghan and Roisin Nic Uileagoid again proved impenetrable over the hour of normal time, with Captain Emma Lane mopping up for four fine saves as well. 

Ballinteer dramatically seized the game by the throat in the third quarter. After an early Davis’s salvo to stretch the lead back out to 3, a wonderful goal by Laura O’Connor and a point from Hayes set the hosts rocking and put us in front. The midfield effort comprised of Eve Leslie’s graft and judgment and the energy of Ciara McCarthy who produced a career-best performance gave us the initiative in that sector. Further forward, the always clever movement of Ruth Nolan and the indefatigable Sinead Ni Bhaoghaill (who had already lined out in two county minor semi finals that week) either side of Hayes negated the influence of Kildare senior centre back Malcolmson, who had been the difference between the sides in the round robin game. The Tallaght women though fought like the champions in waiting that they may well be and found their way back into the game in the final quarter to lead again before yet another incredible Fiona Hayes point from just inside her own half levelled the scores at 1-8 to 0-11 with five minutes to play. BSJ came agonisingly close to what would have been a winning score, hitting the upright and with the final play of normal time forcing the Davis’s rearguard into some excellent last ditch defending.

Extra-time was attritional as the two teams slugged it out to a dramatic finish. Ashling Larkin replaced Louise Hayes seamlessly. Niamh Nic Cinneide who had linked the play beautifully all day was lost to an arm injury and ably replaced by young tyro Sophie Carroll, further forward the ever-dangerous Lisa Webster played on in spite of what was later shown to be a fractured wrist and continued to harry the Davis’s backs like a woman possessed. Two fine goals either side of half time put Davis’s into a six point lead at one point, but we kept going to the last with another point from who else but Fiona Hayes and a second goal from the electric Laura O’Connor created by a rampaging run from substitute Holly Barr setting up a grandstand finish. A third goal was not to materialise though and our dreams were to be dashed after extra time in a county semi-final for the second year in succession.

There is a line from legendary basketball coach John Wooden, often misattributed to Winston Churchill, that says success is never final, failure is never fatal but it is the courage to continue that counts. In their courage, these players showed the very best of our club. This group of women range from teenage school students to players who have worn our colours with skill and honour for nearly three decades. They are students, young professionals, vets, doctors, teachers, engineers, mothers, daughters, coaches and club executive members. They came together diligently all year, gave what they had to the cause and created a positive atmosphere of support, friendship and respect. They found themselves heavy underdogs in an away fixture against a very skilful and fair first team of a big club, augmented by senior intercounty players who we hope will now go on to win the tournament. Defying the odds, they left nothing behind them and were half the width of a post away from what would have been a famous and memorable win. If they can find John Wooden’s courage to continue then they will again be real contenders to bring county honours home in 2025. Their dedicated backroom team for the last 3 years of Colm O’Callaghan and Neil Leslie, augmented this year by the canny Philip Browne will I’m sure be chomping at the bit to steer them home.

 

BSJ INTER CAMOGIE vs Thomas Davis’s, Sunday October 6th, Kiltipper

Emma Lane (Capt), Ruth Keoghan, Roisin Nic Uileagoid, Louise Hayes, Robyn Kennelly, Grace Lynch, Ciara Andrews, Ciara McCarthy, Eve Leslie, Niamh Nic Cinneide, Ruth Nolan, Sinead Ni Bhaoghaill, Lisa Webster, Fiona Hayes (0-9, 0-7 from frees), Laura O’Connor (2-0). Substitutes: Ashling Larkin (for L Hayes, 45 mins), Holly Barr (for Ni Bhaoghaill, 58 mins), Sophie Carroll (for Nic Cinneide, 71 mins), Eibhlin Barry, Ellen O’Callaghan, Sophie Brennan, Anna McGrath, Jane Gl