The Harps Camogie Club

The Harps won their 4th Leinster title beating St. Laurence’s of Kildare by 1-16 to 3-7 after a thrilling hard fought game in Old Grange, St.Laurences home ground.

The Harps took about 15 minutes to settle and in that time, St. Laurence’s centre forward Carol Nolan scored a point from a free. In the 15th minute Louise Mahony got the Harps first score, a point from 30 yards. Theresa Bennett matched it on 16 minutes and Elaine Mahony scored another on 17 minutes. Soon after her score, Elaine was going in for another score when she was injured in a clash and had to be substituted by her sister Laura. In the 27th minute Louise Mahony scored her second point of the game. That point was soon added to by Áine Mahony to bring the score to 5 points to 1 in the Harps favour. Carol Nolan got the next score for St. Laurence’s from a free, which was followed by a fine save from The Harps keeper Helen Keane. Angela Hanlon was next to get in on the action , scoring a lovely point. As the first half came to a close , The defending champions were looking comfortable when in the space of 2 minutes St. Laurence’s full forward Louise Keatley scored 2 goals in a row, which was followed by a point from Carol Nolan. This left the score at half time at 2-3 to 0-6 in favour of St. Laurence’s.

The Harps were not to let this rattle them however. Elaine Mahony was returned to the pitch at the expence of Maria Dunne when play resumed and Louise Mahony was the first to score a point. Carol Nolan restored St.Laurence’s lead with a point from a free. For the next few minutes, The Harps were in control again. Áine Mahony scored the next 2 points, folowed by 3 points from Louise Mahony. Then came another come back from St.Laurence’s, with a goal and a point in quick succession, putting them ahead by 2 points. The Harps rallied again, with a point from Áine Mahony and 2 from Louise Mahony. Then came a touch of genius from Theresa Bennett as she shook the net to put The Harps in firm command in the closing minutes of the match, with a 4 point lead. St. Laurences got the next 2 points to close the gap to 2. Then Laura Mahony scored a point to leave St.Laurences needing a goal to force a replay. They went for that goal, but were scuppard by Helen Keane in goal as she made a fine save and the ball was cleared as the ref Nicholas Kehoe from Wexford blew the final whistle.
The Harps won their 4th Leinster tital in a row on a scoreline of 1-16 to 3-7.

Report Thanks To Johnny Campion.

Scorers: Louise Mahony 0-8, Aine Mahony 0-4, Theresa Bennet 1-1, Angela Hanlon, Elaine Mahony, Laura Mahony 0-1 each.

1. Helen Keane,
2 Deirdre Holland, 3 Denise Quigley, 4 Joan Dollard,
5 Michelle Fitzpatrick, 6 Caitriona Phelan, 7 Claire Walsh,
8 Elaine Mahony (capt), 9 Louise Mahony,
10 Angela Hanlon, 11 Joanne Prior, 12 Maria Dunne,
13 Áine Mahony, 14 Emma Saunders, 15 Theresa Bennett,
16 Laura Mahony, 17 Patricia Dunphy, 18 Martina Hyland, 19 Emily Delahunty, 20 Fidelma Lawless, 21 Bronagh Dunne, 22 Maria Fitzpatrick and 23 Aoife Donohue,
Trainer Tommy Carroll and selectors Anne Mahony and Johnny Campion.
Physio Theresa Delahunty.

Photos Thanks to Alma Ryan.