Holders Seandún survive scare from Cloughduv to reach camogie final

In a nail-biting finish, three-in-a-row chasing Seandún struck 1-5 in the final four minutes plus stoppages to snatch victory in this exciting SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship semi-final at Castle Road on Sunday.

The goal occurred from a stray clearance out of defence, with Seandún substitute Maeve Coffey making no mistake in the 60th minute. She gave the outstanding Ciara O’Leary no chance from close range.

It was the first time the titleholders led, 1-13 to 0-14.

Coffey quickly added a point, and the last say went to Cork captain Amy O’Connor three minutes into stoppage.

Cloughduv, who knocked out a fancied St Finbarr’s team in the quarter-final were clearly up for this. But it ended in bitter disappointment after this heartbreaking defeat.

Niamh McNabola got the contest underway with two great points for Cloughduv, Amy O’Connor responded. Cloughduv sparked into life once more to double their advantage, 0-4 to 0-2 on the quarter hour mark.

Lisa Lynch’s free-taking caught the eye and there was one from play by the tireless Briege Corkery as the mid Cork club extended their lead.

Defensively they were relentless, while Amy Sheppard was a real threat in attack.

The deficit didn’t deter Seandún with Laura Homan and Katrina Mackey closing the gap, 0-6 to 0-9 at the interval.

And Homan and O’Connor got the first two points of the second-half.

Cloughduv found another reserve, Lynch and McNabola struck mighty scores, and their ability to pick off points put them into a 0-14 to 0-10 lead in the 53rd minute.

But with defeat staring Seandún in the face, their fighting spirit came to the fore.

Scorers for Seandún: A O’Connor (0-6,0-2 frees, 0-1 ’45), M Coffey (1-1), L Homan (0-4, 0-1 free), K Mackey (0-2), C O’Callaghan and S Mills (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cloughduv: L Lynch (0-7, 0-5 frees), N McNabola (0-3), A Sheppard (0-2), B Corkery and S Bateman (0-1 each).

Seandún: A Lee (Na Piarsaigh); N O’Leary (Bride Dillons), L McKeogh (Blackrock), C O’Keeffe (St Vincent’s); M Scannell (Bishopstown, Capt), P Mackey (Douglas), S K Brosnan (Brian Dillons); H Ryan (Blackrock), L Homan (St Vincent’s); C Coleman (Na Piarsaigh), R De Faoite (Blackrock), S Mills (Brian Dillons); A O’Connor (St Vincent’s), C O’Callaghan (Blackrock), K Mackey (Douglas). 

Subs: M Coffey (Blackrock) for C Coleman (40), E Curtin (Blackrock) for R De Faoite (45), E Sharpe (Brian Dillons) for C O’Keeffe (50).

Cloughduv: C O’Leary; J Verling, A Kelleher, A Corkery; F Drinan, N O’Leary, A Barry Murphy; L Buttimer, C Hughes (Capt); R Hurley, B Corkery, N McNabola; M Corkery, A Sheppard, L Lynch.

Subs: S Bateman for R Hurley (38), C Sheppard for J Verling (59).

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Aghada).