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Intermediate Camogie Final October 7th, 2018.   08/10/2018

Intermediate Camogie Final October 7th, 2018.


 Well done to to the Buffers Alley Camogie team who won their way back into the Wexford senior camogie ranks on a scoreline of 3.05 to 1.08 V Cloughbawn Camogie Club.
 It was with a ‘steely determination’ that Buffers Alley approached all their group games in the Intermediate Championship this season. Their unbeaten run through the summer was no accident as they accounted for all their opponents with an admirable focus and an unrelenting self-belief. The opposition yesterday proved to be a formidable one and from their close encounter in the group stages, the  Alley girls knew to expect nothing less than a titanic struggle for Intermediate honours.
 As sometimes happens in a final with so much at stake, the opening exchanges were tense and scores were hard to come by. Cloughbawn opened the scoring after 11 minutes from the stick of flawless free taker Niamh Kehoe who followed very quickly with a second free with 12 minutes on the clock. Buffers Alley’s first score arrived three minutes later,  also from a free but it was a tricky assignment for Annie Dempsey who was coolness personified as she drove from distance and not from the easiest angle. During the remainder of the first half the battle continued with phenomenal hooking and blocking skills on display from both sides. Captain, Louise Hammel led from the front with three exceptional points as Cloughbawn raised four more white flags to give them a slight advantage at half time - Cloughbawn 0.05 Buffers Alley 0.04.
 For the half time break, the Alley girls headed for the dressing room to regroup and decide on the strategy that would break down the Cloughbawn rearguard. Three minutes into that second half it looked like they had found the key when Tara Doyle unleashed a rocket to the net following some sterling work from Roisin Murphy who proved to be a real menace for the Cloughbawn full back line in the second half. The early goal was quickly followed by another Annie Dempsey free which left a little daylight between the teams. Cloughbawn were not for going away though and continued with an incredible work rate that Buffers Alley had to match if they wanted to collect the silverware on offer. With sixteen minutes remaining, a long range free dropped invitingly for Emer O’Leary who never needs a second invitation to pounce. She connected sweetly with the sliotar and extended that daylight to five points. Cloughbawn rallied and added two points to show that they were there for silverware too. On 53 minutes, Buffers Alley launched another free into the danger area and when Emer O’Leary raised her second  green flag and left the score at 3.05 to 0.08, the Alley supporters dared to dream. Cloughbawn however were not finished and when their tireless attacking yielded a goal it was back to a three point margin. A four minute stint of epic defense work followed, led by full back Catherine O’Loughlin who lifted the siege time after time with a masterclass in no nonsense defending. As Gearóid McGrath sounded the final whistle there was unbridled joy from the Alley girls whose ‘steely determination’ got them over the line. Each and every player gave everything they had with great maturity shown by the younger players particularly wing backs Aoife Whelan and Eleanor Hammel who have nailed down starting places on the team with what Buff Egan would call ‘delightful’ displays all season. ‘Hail Hail’
 In truth, the gritty teamwork in tight situations was uplifting to watch and a credit to the players and their management.  A special mention to corner back Shauna Lawless who could not be with her teammates yesterday. You were to the forefront of your fellow players’ minds  and we’ll see you back soon.
  Well done girls and a huge well done to Johnny, Barry, Kenneth and Domhnall.
 Best of luck in the Leinster Championship.



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