Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_10_25/GA_2510_E1_155.pdf 

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Ocotber 25 2007

SPORT

155

Athenry claim camogie crown
Athenry 0-19 Davitts 1-12
Athenry claimed the Galway senior camogie title for the second successive year when they defeated Davitts in a thrilling encounter at St Brendan's Park, Loughrea, on Saturday. This game was fast and furious with the Davitts side powered by the brilliant Lourda Kavanagh failing to give way to this vastly accomplished and skilful Athenry side. The game started at a blistering pace and in the opening eight minutes nine scores had been scored with Athenry racing into a strong lead. Player of the match Mary Keogh and the reliable Laura Linnane caused considerable damage to the Davitts' side. Although the second quarter failed to provide the same scoring prowess, the game never lacked flavour, and in the end only a disallowed goal for a square ball at the end of the third quarter was the deciding issue and the most talking point. Mary Keogh had opened the scoring for Athenry after 10 seconds, but Lourda Kavanagh responded with a long-range free before Laura Linnane and Noreen Coen put the title holders in control. Athenry keeper Stephanie Gannon was forced to make a brilliant save from Claire Connolly before Sarah Donoghue stretched Athenry's lead to four points. A Lourda Kavanagh point from play kept Davitts in touch but Mary Keogh and Laura Linnane put more daylight between the sides before Kavanagh grabbed her third point. With eight minutes played Athenry led 0-6 to 0-3. Laura Linnane pointed a 45 for Athenry, but Kavanagh and Mary Kelly pointed for Davitts before Mary Keogh cut through for a great score from an acute angle. Davitts continued to fight back with Kavanagh scoring twice to leave just a point between the sides. However another piece of brilliance by Mary Keogh set up Jessica Gill for a great score and at half time the scoreboard read Athenry 0-9 Davitts 0-7. Linnane and Kavanagh swapped three points each in the opening 10 minutes of the second half before the game was decided. Laura Linnane pointed an Athenry free before a long free from Davitts got the mildest touch and ended in the back of the Athenry net. However the umpires deemed there was a forward in the square and the goal that would have brought Davitts level was disallowed. Athenry went on to score three unanswered points in as many minutes from Laura Linnane and Mary Keogh efforts, putting the game out of Davitts' reach. Athenry: S Gannon; K Glynn, A Pionard, D Coen; E Costello, K Ruddy, J Pionard; S Donoghue (0-1), R Glynn; J Gill (0-1), L Linnane (010, 0-6fr), S Quirke; M Keogh (0-6), T Maher, N Coen (0-1). Subs: S Coll for Quirke, K O'Dwyer for J Pionard. Davitts: K Power; O Watson, L Flynn, E Bruder; R Broderick, P Hayes, E Dervan; C Kelly, crest, A Kelly, C Kelly; M Kelly (1-0), L Kavanagh (0-11, 0-6fr), C Donnelly. Subs: C Killeen for Gilchrist. Referee: K Kelly.

Hegarty wins in Belfast
Local junior squash player Jennifer Hegarty has won her second title of the new squash season. The Newcastle player and member of the Galway Lawn Tennis Club won the recent Ulster u-15 Open title, adding it to the Connacht Open she claimed last month. Last weekend she was in flying form, dropping only a single game on her way to victory. The Irish international player will now travel to Cork in three weeks to defend her title in the Munster Open. Other Galway players in action last weekend were Cian Cantwell who produced good results in the u-15 boys' section, along with Conor O'Shea and Callum Lee. Kevin McNamara also finished strongly in the u17 section.