CAMOGIE: DUBLIN MINOR ‘B’ FINAL
Swords come out on top in derby duel
Daire Walsh
LORETO Swords made history last Friday afternoon by securing the Dublin Schools Minor Camogie ‘B’ Championship for the very first time – on a scoreline of 4-11 to 3-9.
Their opponents – Loreto Balbriggan – made them work for their maiden title, and were on level terms five minutes from time.
However, following a quick scoring burst, Swords triumphed at the end of an absorbing contest.
DAYLIGHT
Courtesy of Zara Thorne’s early goal, Balbriggan created early daylight in Rush. Sarah Power, Shannon Britnell, Ellie Kane and Sarah Smith subsequently kick-started the Swords challenge and they ultimately entered the break with a three-point cushion at their disposal.
The dead-ball accuracy of Robyn Buckley ensured Balbriggan remained in the reckoning, and defensive lynchpin Emma Hoey also stepped up to the mark on the restart. Neat combination play between Power and Kane enabled Swords to keep their noses in front, before a Kerrie Austin goal at the opposite end on 55 minutes set-up a grandstand finale to this local derby.
With Molly O’Brien and Kila Butler producing strong displays, the momentum appeared to be on the side of Balbriggan in the closing moments. The work rate of Grace Murray and Zoe Galligan helped Swords to keep their opponents on the back-foot, though, and an unanswered haul of 1-2 allowed the River Valley side to close out the game in an efficient manner.
This is a monumental success for a team that was founded only last year by Loreto teacher Aoife Whelan – who coaches the squad alongside Robbie Glynn and Kadee Morgan.