Burgess Duharra record first championship win with excellent performance against Cashel

FBD Insurance Senior Championship

Cahel King Cormacs 1-10

Burgess Duharra 2-16

Burgess Duharra proved too strong for Cashel King Cormacs in their FBD Insurance Senior Championship clash at Leahy Park, making full use of the strong first-half wind to build a decisive lead. 

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While Cashel battled hard and enjoyed a spirited second-half rally, the damage had already been done as Burgess ran out deserved winners.

With the elements at their backs, Duharra dominated the opening half, clocking up 2-10 to Cashel’s 0-4. Jenny Grace was flawless from placed balls, hitting seven points from frees in the first half alone, while Danielle Nealon and Amy O’Dwyer struck the goals that put Burgess firmly in control. 

Amy Kennedy also chipped in with two fine points from play. For Cashel, Philly Fogarty kept the scoreboard moving with a free, and further points came from Áine O’Dwyer and Grace Moloney, but Burgess went into the interval well clear, 2-10 to 0-4.

Cashel made changes at the break, with Amy Crosse introduced, and they began the second half brightly. Philly Fogarty rattled the net to lift their challenge and added three points from frees, while Anna Fahie, Nicole Shelly, and Grace Moloney also raised white flags. 

Philly Fogarty finished with 1-6 to her name, leading Cashel’s fightback. Despite outscoring Burgess by 1-6 to 0-6 in the second period, the deficit was too great to claw back.

Burgess, meanwhile, continued to keep the scoreboard ticking through the ever-reliable Grace, who maintained a 100% record on frees, landing 11 in total from all angles. She was well supported by Amy Kennedy’s hard running, while Nealon and O’Dwyer’s goals remained key.

At the back, Ciara Holohan was outstanding for Burgess, pulling off two crucial goal-line saves and launching booming puck-outs with the wind that repeatedly turned the Cashel defence. 

Ella Slattery, Caoimhe Maher, and Lucy Slattery worked tirelessly in defence, with Maher particularly impressive in turning over possession. Midfielder Ciara McKeogh was also immense, breaking up attacks and supplying quality ball to the forwards.

Cashel never gave up, showing determination throughout the second half, but in the end, Burgess Duharra’s strong first-half showing left them too far in arrears. The final whistle confirmed a 2-16 to 1-10 victory for Burgess Duharra, who will take plenty of encouragement from their balanced performance and scoring.

Cashel King Cormacs: Aoife O’Brien; Meabh Ellie Ryan, Ella O’Dwyer, Laura Connolly; Lily Fahie, Sorcha Ryan, Emer Dwan; Anna Fahie (0-1), Katelyn Downey; Aine O’Dwyer (0-1), Nicole Shelly (0-1), Grace Moloney (0-2); Hannah Butler, Philly Fogarty (1-5, 0-4f), Ciara  Dwan. 

Subs used: Amy Crosse for M. E Ryan; Anna O’brien for Ciara Dwan.

Burgess Duharra: Ciara Holohan; Ella Slattery, Fiona Kirwan, Lucy Slattery; Katie Grace, Caoimhe Maher, Iris Grace; Ciara McKeogh, Malwina Dziewiatka; Kaitlin O’Halloran, Jenny Grace (0-13, 0-11f), Amy Kennedy (0-2); Katie Flaherty, Amy O’Dwyer (1-0), Danielle Nealon (1-1). 

Subs used: Kara O’Carroll for Iris Grace (HT); Laura Kennedy for Malwina Dziewiatka (40); Caoilfhionn Maher for Danielle Nealon (50).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)

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