AIB All-Ireland Club Camogie Championships semi-finals
SLAUGHTNEIL camogs are Croke Park bound after they overcame a late surge by Burgess Duharra to claim a 3-8 to 3-6 victory in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie semi-final at Inniskeen yesterday.
And Eglish will also be playing in Croke Park after the Tyrone champions saw off Gailltír by 1-5 to 1-4 in the Intermediate competition.
It was the Derry champions who opened the scoring and rushed into a five-point lead in the senior game thanks to a ten minute goal from Eilís Ní Chaiside.
Eimear McDonnell’s goal in the 20th minute got Burgess Duhara off the mark but Slaughtneil extended their lead back to three at the break thanks to points from Shannon Graham and Louise Dougan.
A goal from Denise McGuigan after the restart saw the Ulster champions lead by five but once again the Tipperary champions fought back with a goal from McDonnell.
A goal and a point from Therese Mallon saw Slaughtneil hold a four-point lead Jenny Grace pulled it back to three with a point but Mary Kelly put four back between the sides once more.
Grace set up a thrilling when she grabbed a goal with 10 minutes remaining but a Siobhan McKaigue point ensured that Damien McEldowney and Dominic McKinley’s charges held out for a famous victory.
Slaughtneil manager Dominic McKinley paid tribute to his players saying their win was a tribute and reward to the hard work and dedication shown over the season.
“It’s all about the girls. They played very well today and worked hard. It is a wonderful day and it is their reward for all the hard work they put in over Christmas,” said McKinley.
“They showed a great attitude and desire today and sometimes that can take you a long way.
“Obviously in camogie and hurling two or three points is nothing so it was good to hold out until the final whistle.
“The girls worked hard for each other and when we reflect back on the game we will learn from some aspects but overall we were in a good place.
“It is a wonderful experience for me to be involved with the team and it is a great for the whole club to be looking forward to the final now,” McKinley added.
Slaughtneil will face Galway club Sarsfields in the All-Ireland Camogie final after they narrowly defeated Thomastown of Kilkenny 0-8 to 0-7 in the other semi-final at Birr.
Eglish will also be playing in Croke Park after the Tyrone champions saw off Gailltír by 1-5 to 1-4 in the Intermediate competition.
Points from Naomh McNulty and Leanne Donnelly saw Eglish hold a 0-4 to 0-2 lead at half-time.
Gailltír levelled proceedings in the second-half but a goal and a point from Leanne Donnelly pushed them into a four-point lead. A late goal by Trish Jackman set up a nervy finish but the Ulster side held out.
Eglish captain Ciara McGready said her side are thrilled to have held out to book their spot in an All-Ireland final
“We are absolutely thrilled with today's result, we were quietly confident heading into the game and thankfully we pulled it off,” she said.
“It might not have been our best ever performance but we dug really deep and the shifts put in from 1 to 15 were unbelievable.
“We will enjoy this win and we are proud of what we have achieved as a wee club but we will get back out again this week as the hard work only starts now.
“The fiinal will be another tough challenge but we will do our best over the next five weeks to make sure we are ready.”
Eglish will take on Myshall in the Intermediate Final after the Carlow side saw off Cappataggle by three points on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-8.
AIB All-Ireland Club Championships semi-finals
Senior: Burgess Duharra 3-06 Slaughtneil 3-08
Burgess Duharra Scorers: E McDonnell 2-2, J Grace 1-4
Slaughtneil Scorers: M Kelly 0-1, L Dougan 0-1, S McKaigue 0-1, S Mallon 0-1, S Graham 0-2, T Mallon 1-2, D McGuigan 1-0, E Ni Chaiside 1-0
Intermediate: Eglish 1-5 Gailltir 1-4
Eglish Scorers: N McNulty 0-2, L Donnelly 1-3
Gailltir Scorers: K Lynch 0-2, T Jackman 1-0, Aine Lyng 0-1
