Erin"s Isle prove too strong for Gaels in

Camogie was included in the format of the Darren Mortimer Tournament for the first time ever in 2008, and Dublin club Erin"s Isle and Lough Lene Gaels justified the inclusion of camogie by serving up a great game.It was fitting that the match winning score, the second Erin"s Isle goal right at the end of normal playing time, was a superb score right out of the top drawer in terms of its quality and execution. After the match, Erin"s Isle team captain Louise O"Hara was presented with the Darren Mortimer Memorial Senior Camogie Shield by Seamus Mortimer, father of the late Darren Mortimer to bring down the final curtain last Monday week, August 4th.Following a splendid first half, Lough Lene Gaels were in front by a margin of two points at half-time. Erin"s Isle took control of general play in the third quarter of play, moving one point clear by the midway point of the second half. The club from the Dublin suburb of Finglas were three points clear at the end of normal playing time before Lough Lene Gaels scored a point and then a goal to edge one point clear themselves. However, just as the home team looked as if they may clinch a narrow win, Erin"s Isle scored their superb second goal to claim victory.Lough Lene Gaels opened scoring with a Jeanette McCormack point, Erin"s Isle going on to level matters when the very impressive Louise O"Hara pointed a free. Casey Whelan edged the Dublin club in front by scoring a point. Lough Lene Gaels levelled matters with a Joanne Walsh point, but Erin"s Isle then struck with their first goal, Gillian McCluskey sending the ball to the net with a lobbing centre. But such was the nature of the match, Lough Lene Gaels hit back immediately, Joanne Walsh firing the ball low to the Erin"s Isle net with a crisp drive.A very talented Erin"s Isle team edged back in front with an Amy Doyle point, a lead that was doubled when Louise O"Hara pointed. Lough Lene Gaels responded in a positive manner, Niamh Lynch knocking the ball to the back of the Erin"s Isle net following a probing Joanne Walsh centre. Louise O"Hara then fired over two splendid points. Lough Lene Gaels made a very good finish to the first half, Jeanette McCormack, Nadina Grace and Niamh Lynch striking over a point each.Half-time score: Lough Lene Gaels 2-5 Erin"s Isle 1-6.Erin"s Isle made a flying start to the second half, Valerie Kearney firing over a point, the Finglas club going on to draw level, substitute Shauna Cullen first-timing the ball over the Lough Lene Gaels crossbar. Celeste Dermody, the Lough Lene Gaels goalkeeper then pulled off a splendid save to deny a goal to Louise O"Hara of Erin"s Isle. But the Erin"s Isle No 8 edged her team in front shortly afterwards, firing over a point. Michelle Murtagh was then just off target for Lough Lene Gaels with a well-struck point-scoring attempt before Erin"s Isle doubled their lead when Gillian McCluskey slotted over a point.Lough Lene Gaels kept themselves in contention, Joanne Walsh slotting over a point from a free. Erin"s Isle quickly restored their two points lead, the impressive Valerie Kearney firing over a point. The same player then added on another point before the home team responded with a point from Michelle Murtagh. There was then further drama when Lough Lene Gaels went in front, Aisling Conaty rifling the ball low to the Erin"s Isle net from close range. But the finale of this sporting drama came shortly afterwards, Gillian McCluskey scoring a match winning goal, dispatching the ball with a low searing 25-metre drive to the bottom right corner of the Lough Lene Gaels net, a great goal!Final score: Lough Lene Gaels 3-7 (16), Erin"s Isle 2-12 (18).Lough Lene Gaels: Celeste Dermody, Sinead Lynch, Alma Hayden, Joanne Williams, Elizabeth Hannon, Gemma Egan, Laura Reilly, Sinead Sheridan, Aisling Conaty (1-0), Nadina Grace (0-1), Joanne Walsh (1-2), Shauna Briody, Niamh Lynch (1-1), Jeanette McCormack (0-2), and Clodagh O"Neill. Subs used: Michelle Murtagh (0-1) and Corina Murtagh.Erin"s Isle: Catherine Connaughton, Lisa Byrne, Claire Keaney, Laura Connaughton, Louise Burke, Ann Marie McCluskey, Lisa Doogan, Louise O"Hara (0-5), Gillian McCluskey (2-1), Amy Doyle (0-1), Valerie Keaney (0-3), Linda Devoy, Casey Whelan (0-1), Laura Keoghan, and Louise Keoghan. Subs used: Shauna Cullen (0-1) and Catherine Heapes.Referee: Jimmy Weldon