Davitts girls hang on in thrilling finish

Davitts 2-11

Ardrahan 2-8

DAVITTS survived a stirring comeback from Ardrahan in the final quarter last Sunday to clinch the county minor A camogie title in a pulsating contest at St. Brendan’s Park.

This game was full of drama from the off and there was nobody complaining about the cold when it finished.  Bookings, off-the-ball exchanges, selectors receiving warnings, a disputed goal, and a 12 point cushion nearly wiped out. This was invigorating stuff but looked to be fizzling out when a Lily Burke brace of goals gave Davitts a 2-10 to 0-4 lead by the 40th minute.

Davitts had been the dominant team but Ardrahan went on to mount a great rally. Sara Skehill and Katie Quinn McMahon reduced the deficit but when Cliodhna Walsh was brought down for a penalty in the 49th minute, anybody considering leaving this final was hurrying back to their seat.

Skehill struck the roof of the net, hitting the back stanchion and bouncing out but, in keeping with the tone of the final, Davitts were dismayed, claiming the ball hit the crossbar. Camogie rarely lacks passion but this was a day where nobody would give an inch.

The umpires were adamant the goal stood and sensing a chance, Ardrahan attacked and there was no disputing the second. Skehill was a thorn in the Davitts’ defence all afternoon and when she turned outside the 20 metre line and struck, the ball spinned off Tara Murphy in goal. It was now 2-10 to 2-6.

Suddenly, the result was in doubt and when McMahon set up Eleanor Stafford for a score, their fightback gained momentum. Davitts were struggling but just needed some composure. Taragh Moloney was having a tremendous afternoon with her free taking but must have felt the nerves when she missed one near the end.

No harm done as another chance came in injury time which she converted.  Even though Walsh got a late Ardrahan point, Moloney’s free proved the most important for Davitts. Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.