Dicksboro bag city bragging rights against James Stephens

Dicksboro continued their winning streak and grabbed some city bragging rights when they saw off James Stephens in the third round of the senior league/championship.

Aoife Prendergast opened the scoring for the ’Boro at Palmerstown on Sunday morning, striking a pointed free in the third minute. Roisin Leahy equalised for the Village with a nice point from play before Sophie O’Dwyer converted a free to put the Village ahead with six minutes on the clock.

The Dicksboro response was swift and impressive. Within 60 seconds they worked the sliotar out from defence, play moving through Jane Cass up to Asha McHardy, who teed up Prendergast to rifle home an unstoppable shot.

The sides traded points after that, O’Dwyer and Prendergast exchanging frees, before Ciara Phelan and Prendergast hit two more for the ’Boro. The lead became even bigger for the leaders when, in the 21st minute, Asha McHardy unleashed a bullet-like strike which cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar to leave Dicksboro 2-4 to 0-3 ahead.

The hosts held the upper hand for the remainder of the half, Prendergast and Rose Kelly picking off points, but the Village showed they wouldn’t wilt too easily. Hannah Scott added a great point when she raced out of defence, soloed upfield and fired over from 50 yards out (half-time: Dicksboro 2-6, James Stephens 0-4).

The leaders were first off the mark after the restart, Rose Kelly opening the second half scoring with a fine point from play before Sophie O’Dwyer hit back on the double for the Village. However their comeback hopes were dented, as the ’Boro added four points without reply through Aoife Prendergast (two frees), Orla Hanrick and Ciara Phelan to move 10 points ahead.

Sophie O’Dwyer led the James Stephens revival with two pointed frees. Ciara Phelan added a point from play for the ’Boro before Hannah Scott hit another great point from 50 yards for the Village. They couldn’t get any closer though, Asha McHardy landing one more point for the ’Boro to cement a good win.

With the group games now over, both teams will look forward to finals. Dicksboro will play Piltown in the league final while James Stephens will take on Young Irelands in the shield final. Both matches will be played on Sunday, September 22.

Teams and Scorers

Dicksboro – Aoife Prendergast (1-6, 0-4 frees), Asha McHardy (1-1), Ciara Phelan (0-3), Rose Kelly (0-2), Orla Hanrick (0-1).

James Stephens – Sophie O’Dwyer (0-6, 0-5 frees), Hannah Scott (0-2), Roisin Leahy (0-1).

Dicksboro – Kirsty Maher; Jane Cass, Tara Clifford, Angela Carroll; Niamh Phelan, Caoimhe Dowling, Katie Byrne; Aobha O’Gorman, Tara McGrath; Asha McHardy, Amy Clifford, Rachel Dowling; Ciara Phelan, Aoife Prendergast, Rose Kelly.

Subs: Orla Hanrick for Rose Kelly (inj), Caoimhe Carroll for Angela Carroll.

James Stephens – Jenna Larkin; Niamh Leahy, Michelle Teehan, Kate Larkin; Aoife Cantwell, Niamh Deely, Hannah Scott; Emily Smith, Anna Doheny; Sophie O’Dwyer, Rachel Leahy, Emma Manogue; Roisin Leahy, Sophie Meagher, Lucy Coomey.

Sub: Tara Maguire for Lucy Coomey.