Éire Óg edge Courcey Rovers after extra time thriller to reach quarters
Courcey Rovers Grace O'Reilly tries to turn Eire Og player Clara Murphy. Pic: David Creedon
Quite possibly one of the greatest camogie games ever to be played in the Cork camogie grounds in Castle Road.
In the second period of extra, extra-time and with Courcey Rovers two points ahead and looking the most likely winners, there was still time for one more twist in this SE Systems senior camogie preliminary quarter-final with Isobel Sheehan somehow weaving her way through to rifle the net after she was picked out by Fiona Twohig.
When Clara Murphy struck her 11th point after almost 100 minutes of camogie, Éire Óg booked their place in the last eight. This, in spite of hitting twice as many wides as their opponents.
This enthralling encounter was level 15 times overall, with never more than a puck of a ball between them.
It had everything. Two fascinating teams, neither willing to give in.
Saoirse McCarthy’s 1-13, a true indication of her form, but unfortunately it was not enough.
It was 0-3 each when Éire Óg struck for the opening goal in the 10th minute and it came from Erin Healy, who picked her spot delightfully.
The ding-dong nature of the contest was about to begin when Fiona Keating linked with Ciara O’Donoghue for a Courcey Rovers' green flag five minutes later.
It didn’t take the mid Cork side long to create another goal chance, this time twins Isobel and Rebecca Sheehan combined, with Rebecca the finisher - another sister Edel was involved in the move also.
It all changed again in the blink of an eye when McCarthy’s delivery found Keating for her second goal, 2-4 apiece on 22 minutes.
There would be deadlocked twice more, 2-6 each at the interval.
Six minutes into the second half McCarthy took everyone by surprise when she blasted a 20 metre free to the net.
Back came Éire Óg though the exceptional free-taking of Clara Murphy.
They might have been wayward, but they kept up the fight.
A Fiona Twohig free pushed them ahead by the minimum with five minutes left to play.
Courcey Rovers had gone a quarter of an hour without a score, but when the need was greatest, McCarthy converted a 45m free from near the sideline after she was fouled herself, 2-13 to 3-10.
The first period of extra-time followed with Courcey Rovers setting the pace through a pair of Ciara O’Donoghue points.
A brace of frees from Twohig, to one from McCarthy, left the score 3-13 to 2-15 - Courcey’s ahead by a single point.
The second period of extra-time saw Éire Óg regain the lead courtesy of Clara Murphy and Edel Sheehan.
McCarthy struck two from play to swing the momentum back their way.
Clara Murphy achieved parity and then held her nerve to rifle over a free after Órlaith Cremin was fouled.
They couldn’t be separated, 3-16 to 2-19 it finished after extra-time.
Another set of extra time was needed - this time it would be two periods of five minutes.
Ann Marie Collins and McCarthy white flags had Courceys in the driving seat after the first five minutes.
Despite the clock running down, Éire Óg never gave up in pursuit of success. And when Isobel Sheehan got the opportunity, she took it, and she injured herself as well.
Clara Murphy’s late point the cherry on top after a dramatic evening of action.
It won’t be much consolation to Courcey Rovers, but they died with their boots on.
So, after all of that, there is just one place left to be filled in the quarter-finals and this will come down to Sunday’s tie between Blackrock and Carbery (Castle Road, 6pm).
The winners of this match will join Éire Óg, Killeagh and St Catherine’s in seed two.
Defending champions St Finbarr’s, Ballinora, Glen Rovers and Sarsfields are in seed one.
The draw for the last eight will be made on Sunday evening.
C Murphy (0-11, 0-7 frees), E Healy (1-1), I Sheehan and R Sheehan (1-0 each), F Twohig (0-2 frees) and E Sheehan (0-3 each), Ó Cremin (0-2).
S McCarthy (1-13, 1-8 frees), F Keating (2-0), A M Collins (0-3), C O’Donoghue (0-2).
M Gleeson; K McCarthy, F Murphy, G Young; E Quigley (Capt), I Sheehan, A Whelton; A McGrath, R Murphy; C Murphy, Ó Cremin, F Twohig; R Sheehan, E Sheehan, E Healy.
S Hutchinson for R Sheehan, C O’Brien for R Murphy (both 44), L Murphy for C Murphy (57), C Murphy for L Murphy (69), E McGrath for F Murphy (77), R Sheehan for S Hutchinson (84), R Murphy for I Sheehan (88).
K Crowley; L Crowley, A O’Reilly, O Twomey; E Moloney, O O’Mahony, G O’Reilly; S McCarthy, C Foley; Á O’Donoghue, A M Collins, C O’Donoghue; L Nield, F Keating (Capt), G Hannon.
R Gallagher for L Nield (half-time), L Murphy for Á O’Donoghue (42), Á O’Donoghue for C Foley (70), C Foley for L Crowley (81).
John Horgan (Gleann na Laoi).
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