St Pat’s crowned Inter Two champs
By Hayden Moore
AN UNBEATEN run of five successive league games came to an end for St Patrick’s last week when they lost 2-8 to 3-7 against CBC Portobello, but despite the defeat they still managed to capture the Intermediate Two Camogie League title on points difference.
In what was a three-team toss-up for the title on the final day of the campaign between the two involved in the match at Dolphin Park along with Crumlin, it was the Palmerstown side who ultimately prevailed.
St Patrick’s did enough to secure the Intermediate Two Camogie League title, clinching the prize on points difference.
A 1-1 salvo by substitute Jema Rushe after the break brought Pat’s back into contention and they had a chance to level it right at the death when Sadhbh Duffy stood over a 21-metre free.
With Portobello two points up at that point, Duffy could only strike for goal to try and edge her side ahead for the second time in the clash but the ‘keeper batted the sliotar away.
Patrick’s initially shot in front right after throw-in when they responded to a point with a Trish Egan goal, the full forward pulling on a loose ball from short-range, but by the break, Portobello had re-established their lead chalking up 3-2.
While the Palmerstown side could only register an additional two points, a Duffy free and a nice Rachel O’Connor score from play in the first, they did outscore their opponents in the second-half.
Portobello had an opportunity to push even further ahead when a point-blank shot seemed destined for the top corner, but Cassidy pulled off a stellar save to keep Pat’s in the encounter.
The saints made a massive resurgence with midfielder Niamh Gaff and wing forward Julie Murphy firing over a brace each while defenders Ciara Gaff and Aisling Cox held Portobello to only five more points.
The full forward line consisting of Duffy, Egan and Rushe scrapped tooth and nail for every ball and it paid off when they found the net for a second time.
Duffy’s shot ricocheted back off the post right into Rushe’s path, with the sister of Dublin intercounty hurler Liam Rushe dummying off her right to prevent a block and sending the ball back across the keeper off her left to the net.
Rushe kicked her point over the bar after losing her hurl and Duffy’s missed free brought an end to a hugely successful league campaign for St Patrick’s with Dublin Chairperson Jenny Byrne presenting them with the trophy afterwards.
