Dickboro Cruise Into Senior County Final

Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Senior Semi Final

Dicksboro 0-21
Piltown 0-10

By Martin Quilty (Kilkenny PRO)
Picture Credit: Billy Culleton Photography

Tullaroan GAA played host to the double header of senior semi finals on Saturday last. The venue was in magnificent condition, the pitch was like a carpet, the electronic scoreboard was in operation and there was plenty of stewards to help with parking and it was nice to have a shop selling the hot cuppa on what was a cold but sunny day.

The first semi final saw a repeat of last years county final when reigning champions Dicksboro went up against last years runners up Piltown. Dicksboro came into the game as raging hot favorites and it proved to be the case. Piltown started the game very well and almost got in for a goal at the throw in but for some excellent defence from the boro. The boro women struck first with an Asha McHardy point from play. It was quickly cancelled out by an Aine Doyle free. Piltown were playing well in the opening minutes, with the aid of a very strong breeze the were in the faces of the Boro players but just couldn’t convert all their chances. By the first quarter the sides were level at 0-3 each. Sophie Holden who was lively in the first half and on a lot of possession opened her account with a lovely point from play. Orlaith Hanrick who is a lethal free taker levelled things up again on 17 minutes. The boro women had got another three points in succession Asha McHady, Lucinda Gahan and Orlaith Hanrick all scoring from play to leave Dicksboro ahead 0-7 to 0-4 by the 28th minute. Two further scores of the half a point from Laura Norris and Orlaith Hanrick left three between the teams at the break. Half time Score Dicksboro 0-8, Piltown 0-5.

Dicksboro had the elements in the second half but it was Piltown who got on the scoreboard first with a Katie Power point. Dicksboro then rattled off 4 unanswered points Orlaith Hanrick (2) Jenny and Amy Clifford 0-1 each left 6 between the teams coming into the third quarter. Dicksboro had got all their match ups correctly and their half back line was instrumental in breaking play and turning over possession from Piltown. Sophie Holden reduced the gap with another point from play before points from Hanrick and Doyle left the score 0-13 to 0-8 by the 17th minute. Dicksboro then took over and went on a scoring spree, they got six points all coming from play with the Clifford sisters to the fore Jenny (2) Amy Clifford, Hanrick, Rachel Dowling and Aobha O’Gorman left Dicksboro with a comfortable lead 0-19 to 0-8. Jenny Clifford was terrorising the defence with her quick footwork and burst of pace that allowed her to either score or set up scores for her team mates. Aine Doyle got a two back for Piltown but they were consolation scores as Dicksboro would add on two more points Racel Dowling and Aoife Prendergast to leave the champions with a comfortable elven point win. Piltown did try to be fair and were severely hampered by the loss early in the season of the Doyle sisters, but on the form that Dicksboro have been this years its hard to say if the outcome would have been different.

Final Score Dicksboro 0-21, Piltown 0-10

Teams:

Dicksboro:- Kirsty Maher, Jane Cass, Ciara O’Shea, Katie Byrne, Tara Clifford, Niamh Phelan, Ciara Phelan, Caoime Dowling, Aoife Prendergast, Asha McHardy, Lucinda Gahan, Amy Clifford, Aobha O’Gorman, Orlaith Hanrick, Jenny Clifford

Piltown:- Aoife Norris, Stacey O’Brien, Jenni O’Dea, Patsy Kenny, Mairead Power, Alannah Gallagher, Lorraine Long, Emer Long, Karen Duggan, Sinead McCarthy, Laura Norris, Ellen O’Keeffe, Sophie Holden, Katie Power, Aine Doyle

Scorers:

Dicksboro: – Orlaith Hanrick 0-8 (4f), Jenny Clifford 0-3, Asha Mchardy/Lucinda Gahan/Amy Clifford/Rachel Dowling 0-2 each, Aobha O’Gorman/Aoife Prendergast 0-1 each

Piltown: – Aine Doyle 0-5 (3f), Laura Norris/Sophie Holden 0-2 each, Katie Power 0-1

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Thomastown)