Sheer bliss as ‘Boro make final

AIB Senior All Ireland Club Semi Final

Dicksboro 2-13

Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) 1-10

By Aoife Lanigan, PRO

A powerful second half comeback saw Dicksboro make camogie history when they stormed back to beat Loughgiel Shamrocks and book their place in the All Ireland senior club camogie final for the first time

Five points down at the interval, the ‘Boro’ Band of Sisters turned things around after the restart to win by six

This will be Dicksboro’s first appearance in the decider. It will also be the first time any Kilkenny team has been in the senior final since St Lachtain’s completed their three-in-a-row in 2006

The Kilkenny side were quick off the mark in Saturday’s semi final in Ashbourne, Amy Clifford opening the scoring for the Boro with a lovely point after a neat pass from her sister Jenny. Aoife Prendergast (45) and Rachel Dowling stretched their lead to leave them two ahead after just three minutes as Amy Boyle landed a point from play for Loughgiel in between

The Antrim side struck back, with Caitrin Dobbin goaling in the 5^th minute. Prendergast levelled for the ‘Boro but Loughgiel were beginning to dominate proceedings

The Shamrocks who were in last year’s final, were determined to get back to Croker and dug in. Two points from Roisin McCormick, either one either side of a point from Caitrin Dobbin, saw them open up a three point gap

Dowling and Prendergast did slot over points for Dicksboro, but the Ulster side continued to threaten. Pressing on, they added points through McCormick, Dobbin and Annie Lynn to leave themselves with a healthy 1-8 to 0-6 lead at half time

Dicksboro knew they were up against it and that a strong half was required. Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time seemed to work wonders!

The Kilkenny side were dominant in the second half, as they overpowered Loughgiel. The Shamrocks were on the backfoot for the entire half and only scored two points, both coming from frees

Dicksboro were the better team after the resumption. They made the perfect start when in the 32^nd minute Asha McHardy fielded the sliotar out on the 45m line. Turning her marker, she charged towards the goal and unleashed a powerful shot that screamed into the back of the net – game on!

BIG Strike

McHardy followed up her big strike by adding a point before Aoife Prendergast converted a free to level the match after 35 minutes

Roisin McCormick pushed Loughgiel ahead again with a pointed free but that was quickly cancelled out as another free from Prendergast levelled matters

Roisin McCormick and Jenny Clifford traded points before Prendergast slotted over two pointed frees to put the ‘Boro two ahead

The city side were building momentum all the time and took a huge step McHardy bagged her second goal. Picked out by a neat Rachel Dowling pass, McHardy gathered possession and hit a bullet-like strike that gave the Loughgiel netminder no chance

Amy Clifford rounded off the scoring with a point from play for the Kilkenny side, sealing their 2-13 to 1-10 win and place in the final

The ‘Boro can now switch their attention to a meeting with three-in-a-row chasing Sarsfields (Galway) in the All Ireland Final. That game will be played in Croke Park on Sunday December 17

Scorers – Dicksboro – Aoife Prendergast 0-7 (7f), Asha McHardy 2-1, Amy Clifford, Rachel Dowling 0-2 each, Jenny Clifford 0-1

Loughgiel Shamrocks – Caitrin Dobbin 1-3, Roisin McCormick 0-5 (4f), Amy Boyle, Annie Lynn 0-1 each

Dicksboro – Kirsty Maher, Jane Cass, Tara Clifford, Katie Byrne, Niamh Phelan, Caoimhe Dowling, Ciara Phelan, Ciara O’Shea, Aobha O’Gorman, Asha McHardy, Amy Clifford, Rachel Dowling, Aoife Prendergast, Orla Hanrick, Jenny Clifford (Capt)

Subs – Lucinda Gahan for Ciara O’Shea, Rose Kelly for Orla Hanrick, Niamh O’Donoghue, Danielle Kenny, Tara McGrath, Bronagh Doheny, Caoimhe Carroll, Angela Carroll, Aisling Browne, Sarah O’Gorman, Orlaith Moore, Emer Phelan, Becky Peters, Sinead Carroll, Eva Healy

Loughgiel Shamrocks – Eimear Boyle, Charlene Hamill, Ciara Laverty, Maria Lynn, Emma McFadden, Ciara Boyle, Clare McKillop, Amy Boyle, Lucia McNaughton, Christine Laverty, Anna Connolly, Roisin McCormick, Caitrin Dobbin, Annie Lynn, Orlagh Laverty

Subs – Fiona McVeigh for Charlene Hamill, Megan McCarry, Una McNaughton, Megan Coyle, Ciara Connolly, Ciara Dobbin, Anna McKillop, Shauna Deery, Louise McKillop, Chloe Higgins, Shauna Doran, Emma McMullan, Mary McKillen