Faughs topple Anne’s in junior camogie final
Emma Lucy and Heidi Eggen helped themselves to two goals each at TU Blanchardstown on Sunday as Faughs claimed the Dublin Junior Two Camogie Championship title with a 5-5 to 3-9 replay victory over St Anne’s.
After playing out a thrilling draw (2-14 apiece) at the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown a fortnight earlier, anticipation was high for another titanic battle between these two teams.
Faughs certainly couldn’t have asked for a better start to the contest as team skipper Lucy rattled the net with considerable aplomb for a deadlock-breaking score. However, their Bohernabreena counterparts had shown their mettle in the previous fixture and rallied to move six points clear (1-6 to 1-0) as the half progressed.
Yet the Faughs players didn’t allow panic to creep into their play and a stunning purple patch ensured they regained control of the play. In addition to Lucy grabbing her second goal of the tie, player-coach Sally O’Grady also raised a green flag for the Templeogue side.
Eventual player of the match Orlaith Martin added her name to the scoresheet with an outstanding point that was kick-started by a surging run from deep by corner-back Aislinn O’Shea. Eggen also secured her first goal of the game for the now rampant Faughs, who entered the interval with a 4-2 to 1-6 cushion at their disposal.
While Anne’s narrowed the gap to four with a point on the resumption, a brace of scores courtesy of Ciara Dixon kept Faughs in the driving seat. However, Anne’s were determined to leave their imprint on the proceedings and with their captain Sadhbh Peelo very much to the fore, they sensationally squeezed back in front by recording 2-1 without reply.
This threw down the gauntlet to Faughs and goalkeeper Caitlin Evoy was forced into making a magnificent save to prevent Anne’s from creating further daylight on the scoreboard. Nevertheless, they were back on level terms when Dixon – via excellent approach work by defensive lynchpin Kathryn King – split the uprights for the third time on the day.
The prospect of the teams once again being inseparable at the end of normal time was beginning to loom large, only for Anne’s to edge back into the ascendancy with a hard-earned point. Faughs simply refused to give in, however, and after combining to good effect with her sister Freya, Heidi Eggen struck what ultimately proved to be the winning goal for her side.