Hassett to the fore as St Brigid’s score six goals against The Harps in Camogie semi-final

St Brigid’s marched back into the 2023 Laois Intermediate Camogie final with a resounding 23-point win over The Harps in the LOETB Centre of Excellence on Saturday afternoon.

The victory sets up a highly anticipated rematch of the 2022 final against Camross, who overcame O’Moore’s in the other semi-final, which was played concurrently on Pitch 2.

ST BRIGID’S 6-14

THE HARPS 1-6

After suffering heartbreak in four consecutive finals, St Brigid’s finally broke through in 2022 with a thrilling win over Camross. However, they were knocked out at the semi-final stage last year in a dramatic extra-time loss to the same opponents.

Eimear Hassett was once again outstanding for St Brigid’s as she notched up 2-8, with 2-4 from play, while Laura Dunne made some good stops and captain Grainne Hyland’s workrate was the base for a lot of their attacking in the second half.

St Brigid’s backs were also excellent with Clodagh Tynan, Sarah Creagh and Roisin Kilmartin making it very difficult for The Harps to break into scoring positions.

The early stages saw The Harps start brightly, using a slight wind advantage to take a two-point lead with scores from Lucy O’Connor and Lisa Kirby. But once St Brigid’s settled into the game, there was no looking back.

Amy Daly, a late addition to the starting lineup, quickly drew them level with a point, followed by an equalizing score from star forward Eimear Hassett. Daly struck again in the eighth minute, this time finding the net after a clever pass from captain Grainne Hyland, giving St Brigid’s their first lead.

From there, St Brigid’s took control of the match. Hassett, who has been in outstanding form since her breakout campaign in 2022, added several key scores, including a superb point on the turn and a couple of frees.

By the 20th minute, St Brigid’s led 1-5 to 0-2, and The Harps were struggling to keep up. They briefly responded with points from Alice Walsh and Catherine Kirby, but a long range goal from Hyland restored St Brigid’s momentum and saw them head into the break with a comfortable 2-7 to 0-5 advantage.

In the second half, St Brigid’s wasted no time putting the game beyond reach. Straight from the throw-in, Jessie Quinlan surged forward and set up Daly for a point. Five minutes later, the match was effectively over when Aoife Finlay rattled the net for St Brigid’s third goal, following some excellent interplay between Daly, Hassett, and Aiva Coss.

Laura Finlay added a point moments later, and Coss slotted a well-earned score of her own, as St Brigid’s continued to pile on the pressure.

Though Eimear Fitzpatrick briefly halted the onslaught with a free for The Harps, it did little to change the course of the game.

Hassett was quickest to react when a shot from Niamh Coss rebounded off the post, slotting home her first of two second-half goals. She followed up with three more points, two of which were outstanding efforts from play, while Quinlan also chipped in with a score.

As the game entered its final stages, St Brigid’s fifth goal arrived in the 54th minute. Hassett turned provider this time, setting up Niamh Coss, who finished clinically from close range.

Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, both teams kept pressing, and The Harps managed a consolation goal when Alice Walsh’s high ball deceived the St Brigid’s defence and dropped into the net.

However, it was fitting that Hassett would have the final say. In the dying moments, The Harps failed to clear their lines, and Hassett pounced to score her second and St Brigid’s sixth goal, capping off a sensational performance.

The match ended 6-14 to 1-6 in favour of St Brigid’s, who now head into the final brimming with confidence.