Derry score last seven points to grab a win over Carlow in camogie opener

Centra National League Division 2: Derry 0-16 ... Carlow 1-12

Micky Henry's term in charge of the Derry senior camogie team got off to a great start with a dramatic comeback victory over Carlow in Find Insurance Celtic Park on Saturday.

His charges looked in trouble when they trailed the visitors by six points entering the final quarter after Carlow had extended their 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead with a goal and three points to lead 1-12 to 0-9.

But the half-back line of Éabha Mullan, captain Niamh Quinn and Áine McGill rallied the Oak Leaf girls and they scored the final seven points to steal the league points.

Did they deserve it? Possibly yes. But the new manager will have been really happy to pick up the victory that is a huge boost as they head down to Laois on Saturday for Round 2.

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The first 20 minutes saw Derry take a lead of two points on three different occasions and each time Carlow reeled them in with two of their own. Rachel McAllister and Éabha Mullan took the first two points before Carlow settled into the game with two frees from Eleanor Tracey.

Next came two points from debutante Amy McKenna and, after Carlow had equalised, Rachel McAllister and Carla Collins from a free edged Derry ahead.

This time Carlow hit five points in a row, Ciara Kavannagh's score in the 24th minute putting them ahead for the first time.

Eve Sinnott and Kavannagh again put the visitors three up, before Áine McGill hit back with a score before the break.

Although Kavannagh scored on the re-start, points each from Ní Mhianáin and Carla Collins closed the gap to a single point. It was at this stage that Carlow took off with a goal from Kavannagh sandwiched between two points from Eleanor Tracey.

However the last quarter belonged to Derry with the free-taking of Carla Collins crucial to getting them back in contention. She converted four frees in a row with an inspirational point from Niamh Quinn along the way.

Derry now had the momentum and sub Aoife Shaw made it count with the equalising score in the 56th minute. They pushed forward for the winner. Carlow looked like holding on until Clíodhna Ní Mhianáin swooped to grab both league points.

Laois and Kerry drew in Fitzgerald stadium on Saturday. Aimee Collier scored all 11 points for Laois, but a late free from Patrice Diggin rescued a point for the home side.

The other game in Division 2 saw Meath win their derby fixture with Westmeath by 2-9 to 1-6.

SCORERS:- 

Derry: C Collins 0-6 (5fs), R McAllister, A McKenna and C Ní Mhianáin 0-2 each, É Mullan, Á McGill and N Quinn 0-1 each. 

Carlow: C Kavannagh 1-4, E Treacy 0-4 (2fs), S Sheehan, C Jordan, R Kelly and E Sinnott 0-1.

TEAMS:- 

Derry: N Gribbin, A McGuckian, P Bell, E McCloskey, É Mullan, N Quinn capt., Á McGill, S Mellon, R McAllister, E Wilson, C Ní Mhianáin, J Donnelly, A McKenna, C Collins, S McGrath. Subs: A Shaw for J Donnelly, S McGill for A McGuckian, É McElhinney for E Wilson. 

Carlow: E O’Hara, N Canavan, A Breen, G Doyle, R Breen, M Nolan, M Dolan, E Tracey, R Kelly, E Sinnott, C Kavannagh, M Kavannagh, S Sheehan, R Joyce, C Jordan. Subs: A Coady for M Kavannagh, A Nolan for M Dolan.