Errigal Group Derry senior camogie final
Swatragh 1-12
Slaughtneil 0-13
ALL periods of dominance eventually come to an end some time.
Slaughtneil's nine years at the top in Derry hit the rocks on Saturday afternoon in Glen, Maghera. However, having come through some close scrapes in the past, you still expected them to push for home when they scored five points without reply either side of half-time to draw level in the 44th minute with a Swatragh side that had been so impressive in the early part of the game.
But their neighbours' defence was fighting like terriers to stay ahead and they got their breaks between the 47th and 50th minutes when Máiréad MNicholl landed three frees in quick succession, her team's only scores of the second half.
Those points gave them the platform to hold tight and see out the final ten minutes.
Despite the absence of scores in that second half, Swatragh deserved their success that saw them bridge a gap to the last of their previous 26 titles in 2005. Many of their heroes were in defence.
Goalie Niamh McQuillan not only saved a penalty in the 40th minute, but controlled the sliotar and delivered a healthy clearance. Immediately in front of her the defence stood tall with Niamh Quinn, Noeleen McKenna and teenager Ellie McCartney outstanding.
The more senior players, the McNicholl sisters, Dervla O'Kane and Shannon Kearney have suffered heart-break in five finals since Slaughtneil began their dominance nine years ago. They drove the team forward, full-forward Kearney getting back for an important block in the dying minutes.
Even the introduction of the two subs in the 50th minute added an extra yard or two to the pace of the game and lifted their team-mates.
Slaughtneil could justifiably state that they could have, maybe should have won the game. After all, they have edged home in games of a similar nature right across the nine years that saw them claim six successive Ulster titles and three in a row All-Ireland club crowns.
There were frees that dropped short, tailed wide or in one case came off a goal-post and went wide at the other side. There was the penalty that Niamh McQuillan saved. All of them pivotal moments in the game.
But Swatragh were deserving winners.
They went three points up inside the opening three minutes, were five up close to the break and fought tooth and nail all over the pitch to keep themselves in the lead.
Those first three scores of the game came from Máiréad McNicholl (two) followed by a point from Shannon Kearney. Eventually Olivia Rafferty got Slaughtneil off the mark in the 7th minute and the first of Cliona Mulholland’s seven successful frees put them back in the frame.
Swatragh however responded well to go 0-7 to 0-3 ahead by the 18th minute with two frees from McNicholl and points each for Aoibheann Mullan and Dervla O’Kane. Over the next ten minutes the holders worked it back to 0-9 to 0-7 through two Mulholland frees and a point each from Rafferty and Lucy McKaigue who had started in place of the influential Tina Bradley.
The next score came from nothing. A shot from out the field most likely for a point, dropped a little short, but under pressure from a forward coming in the dropping sliotar made its way over the goal-line.
Slaughtneil closed the gap with points from a Cliona Mulholland free and one from play for Aoibh Mulholland to trail by 1-9 to 0-9 at the break.
The second half was tough going for both teams; it was dominated by frees for technical offences. While neither side could build much momentum, the pressure was now coming from the holders and Swatragh were struggling to add to their half-time total.
Bríd Rogers popped over a point in the 35th minute and two Mulholland frees drew the teams level nine minutes later. Over the next couple of minutes there were two opportunities at each end for a lead point.
Then Máiréad McNicholl found the range with a free. A minute later she added another and then in the 50th minute, put Swatragh three up. It was a significant move in a match that had become very tight.
Everything was now on the line for both teams over the last ten minutes. Players threw themselves on sticks being swung for scores.
Slaughtneil seemed to go short for goals a little too early. From one such effort the sliotar broke for Olivia Rafferty to hit her third point. From another sub Eimhear McGuigan grabbed possession on the edge of the area but her shot for goal was smothered and eventually cleared.
Swatragh survived as time ran out on the holders and the Davitt's ended a 19 year break since their last title win.
Swatragh: N McQuillan, E McCartney, N Quinn, C Turner, N McKenna, G McAtamnay, C Bradley, B McCullagh, D O’Kane (0-1), E Quinn (1-0), M McNicholl (0-9, 8 frees), A Mullan (0-1), S Quinn, S O’Doherty (0-1), E Murray.
Subs: MT McCullagh for A Mullan and E Conway for C Bradley (both 50)
Slaughtneil: J McMullan, D McGuigan, Céat McEldowney, Carla McEldowney, B McAllister, A Ní Chaiside, C Ní Mhianáin, S Mellon, C Mulholland (0-7 frees), O Rafferty (0-3), L McKaigue (0-1), F Burke, C Kearney, B Rogers (0-1), A Mulholland (0-1)
Subs: E McGuigan for C Kearney and E Convery for F Burke (both 54), T Bradley for A Mulholland (59)
Referee: J McAllister (Dunloy)
