No joy for Na Déise in Co Final

There was no joy for the second year running for the Na Déise Ladies Football Club as they went under to Dungarvan in this years Junior ‘A’ County Final at Kilmacthomas on Sunday morning last.

Twelve months ago, Na Déise looked as if they were going to take the title against Comeragh Rangers second string team at Fraher Field, but the side from the East of the county struck for a number of late goals to deny the local side from playing in the Munster Club Championship.

Expectations were high for the Na Deise side heading into this game as they had many of the players that were involved twelve months ago and were also able to call on some exciting young prospects coming through from the area within the game.

But it was not to be, as the side in Green and Yellow went under to a very strong Dungarvan side on a score line of 4-4 to 2-10.

The Old Boro side who were beaten in a County Intermediate Camogie Final the previous day with some of the same players involved, started the game well and at the break lead 2-3 to 0-3, the goals for Dungarvan coming from two of their exciting young players, Dawn Power and Lauren McGregor.

Na Déise started the second half the better of the two sides and when Clodagh Ryan kicked an early 1-1 it left just two points between the sides.

Dungarvan however hit back with goals from Lucie O’Shea and another from Lauren McGregor who played senior football for Waterford this year and it looked as if they were going to win the game rather easily.

However, Na Déise refused to throw in the towel and hit 1-5, the goal coming from Abbie Dalton without response had Na Déise well in contention as they drew level (4-4 to 2-10) with just over five minutes to play, but Dungarvan converted two late frees to win the game by two points.  

But the third goal that Na Déise needed failed to arrive as time ran out. Na Déise for the second year running had to settle for second best, but this is an exciting young team with plenty of experience also in the team and they will be hoping to make it third time lucky in the championship this time next year.

Na Déise Panel of players was: Helen Walsh, Maria O’Donovan, Ann Marie O’Brien, Emily O’Mahony, Nicole O’Byrne, Katie Buckley, Linda Foley, Mary Kate Curran, Marguerite McCarthy, Bronagh Condon, Abbie Dalton, Trisha Kiely, Michelle Walsh, Clodagh Ryan, Mary Kate Morrissey, Emma O’Neill, Shauna Power, Sarah McCarthy, Kate Whelan, Hannah Burke, Aoife O’Byrne, Aoife O’Donovan, Catherine O’Brien, Mairead O’Brien, Anne McGrath.

Dungarvan Panel: Katie Ferncombe, Anne Marie Tutty, Emma Gildea, Louise Hyslop, Katie Hayes, Shauna Coakley, Aisling Baumann, Lauren McGregor, Dawn Power, Lucy O’Shea, Richael Hayes, Zoe Barry Ferncombe, Maura Gallagher, Clodagh Tutty, Clodagh Curran, Shanise McCarthy, Shauna Ferncombe, Ciara Hurley, Becky Hurley, Niamh McCombe, Aoife Nagle.