Erin’s Own survived a late scare from Eastern rivals Gaultier on Sunday to capture their second intermediate championship in three years.
Six minutes into injury time, there was only a point between the teams when Annie Fitzgerald won a free near the sideline. Emma Fitzgerald converted six frees for Gaultier but this one was too far out. She played a short one to Kate Lynch when referee Larry Power blew the final whistle. Gaultier mentors remonstrated with the official as he left the field.
First half goals from Leah Browne and Chloe Sheridan gave Erin’s Own the platform for victory. Browne scored a goal, assisted a goal and kicked two second half frees. Captain Niamh Power and Aoibhe Waring also came up with vital scores. Waterford camogie star Beth Carton came off injured in added time.
The winners should have found the net more than twice. They missed two goal chances in the first half and rattled the post and the crossbar in the second half. Emma Fitzgerald missed a second half penalty for Gaultier.
Captain Niamh Power spoke to WLR Sport after the game.
Scorers for Erin’s Own: Leah Browne 1-2 (2fs), Chloe Sheridan 1-0, Jessica Devereux 0-2, Kerryann Hamilton, Niamh Power, Aoibhe Waring 0-1 each.
Scorers for Gaultier: Emma Fitzgerald 0-6 (6fs), Orlaith Walsh 1-0, Róisín Kirwan 0-2, Alannah O’Sullivan 0-1.
Erin’s Own: Lucy Hogan, Isabelle Daniels, Holly Ryan, Orlaith Power; Courtney Healy, Aoibhe Waring, Niamh Power; Beth Carton, Kate Hickey; Chloe Sheridan, Leah Browne, Abby Flynn; Jessica Devereux, Brianna O’Regan, Kerryann Hamilton.
Subs: Alannah McNulty for O’Regan (42), Becky Conroy for Hamilton (42), Kayleigh Kirby for Devereux (58), Abbie Mullane for Carton (62).
Gaultier: Caoimhe Forrest; Faye Murphy, Aoife Hartley, Aishling Sheridan; Orlaith Walsh, Clodagh Carroll, Leah Sheridan; Kate Lynch, Shauna Fitzgerald; Molly Comerford, Annie Fitzgerald, Alannah O’Sullivan; Róisín Kirwan, Laoise Forrest, Emma Fitzgerald.
Subs: Laoise McLoughlin for Laoise Forrest (53), Ciara O’Sullivan for Shauna Fitzgerald (57).
Referee: Larry Power
