Davits captured the third successive Bus Eireann Galway Senior Camogie Championship title when they edged out a spirited performance from young Athenry side at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday last. In a low scoring encounter the more experience of Davitts was to proved decisive in helping the East Galway side captured their fifth title since 1995. For the young Athenry side it was a gruelling experience but the club who captured eight Galway Senior Titles between 1995 and 1986 that included one All Ireland title in 1977, can surely look forward to many glory days ahead in the not too distant future. However that is little consolation for Athenry in the aftermath of this final having lead Davits for three quarter of the game. It was three minutes from time when Lourda Kavanagh provided the winning score that denied Athenry at least a share of the spoils in front of a large crowd at Ballinasloe. Athenry were appearing the first Galway Senior final in almost twenty years but there is no doubt that their underage strategy of recent times will be back in the final again, sooner rather than later.

Bus Eireann Co Champions  Davitts  who defeated Athenry in Co Senior Camogie Final in Duggan Park last Sunday.
Back Row: Catriona Kelly, Michelle Tynan , Linda Gohery, Anne Broderick, Rita Broderick, Olivia Forde, Ailbhe Kelly Lourda Kavanagh (Capt). Front Row: Caroline Kelly, Deirdre Gilchreest, Orla Watson, Mary Kelly, Phyllis Hayes, Lizzie Flynn, Deirdre Murphy.

Reigning champions Davitts were playing into at stiff wind in the opening half and it was the more experienced East Galway side that provided the early pressure. It took seven minutes before Athenry made their first serious attack on the Davitts goal when a long ball from Stephanie Gannon was added to by Noreen Coen but flicked out for a forty five which Therese Maher duly pointed.

Davitts however responded with pressure but failed with scoring opportunities before Noreen Coen collected a ball on the wing and soloed through before scoring a marvellous point from play.  Almost immediately Athenry added their third point when Catherine Glynn delivered a long ball from a free, after Jessica Glynn was fouled, and when Glynn delivered to the industrious Therese Maher who was also fouled, the latter pointed to push Athenry three points clear at the end of the opening quarter.

Stephanie Gannon brought off a good save from Lourda Kavanagh as Davitts failed to convert opportunities allowing Athenry take further advantage. Five minutes from the break Jessica Gill and Noreen Coen combined with excellence to set up Sara Donohue for a good point. After Therese Maher was pulled to the ground by Linda Gohery the Athenry centre forward failed to convert the resulting free and two minutes from time Davitts eventually got on the score sheet when Lourda Kavanagh pointed for the reigning title holders after good work from Mary Kelly. Kavanagh pointed again in injury time, before the break and when the half time whistle sounded Athenry slender looked inadequate after the North Galway side had the benefit of the strong breeze in the opening half.

The second half was just a minute old when Lourda Kavanagh won a free and reduced the deficit to the minimum and a Davitts cakewalk looked a possibility. However Athenry were not going to allow Davitts take control and with Jessica Gill busy around the centre of the field, the lively midfielder set up Noreen Coen who was fouled on the run, allowing Therese Maher to stretch Athenry's lead to two points once again. Caroline Kelly set up Lourda Kavanagh for a good point from play and when Athenry's Alice Poniard failed to clear her lines with authority, Deirdre Murphy was on hand to split the Athenry posts and bring the game to parity seven minutes into the second half. Therese Maher and Ailbhe Kelly both missed scoring opportunities before Sara Donohue scored a super point from play to restore the Athenry lead. The North Galway side stretched their lead when Sara Donohue provided an inch perfect delivery to Mary Keogh who pushed Athenry two points clear approaching the end of the third quarter. Davitts introduced Yvonne Donnelly for Deirdre Gilchrist as they began to take control of the game scoring three unanswered points in as many minutes. The first came when Lourda Kavanagh created space and fired a great point from play and when the same player struck over a free in the opening minute of the final quarter the game was at parity for the second time. Less than a minute later Kavanagh split open the Athenry defence before striking over a point that gave the reigning champions the lead. However while Davitts had gone in front, the large Athenry following provided vocal support to encourage their team and when Jessica Gill pointed from play into the teeth of the wind the game was once more in the balance and level again for the third time. Athenry continued to seek a winner and Gill had a shot at goal saved at a time when a point would have being more valuable and Sara Donohue was unlucky to see point effort come back off the crossbar. Good defence work from Davitts where Ann Broderick, Lizzie Flynn, Rita Broderick and Alva Kelly excelled and prevented Athenry from scoring, particularly in the closing stages. There was three minutes left to play when Lourda Kavanagh struck over Davitts winning point from a free, just barely in her own half. It proved to be the last score but Ailble Kelly had a chance to stretch the Davitts lead but the final scoring chance of the game fell to Jessica Gill who collected after good work from Therese Maher and Sharon Quirke but the ball blazed wide much to the relief of Davitts supporters.

It was outstanding achievement by Davitts to retain their title for the third year in succession and had quality displays from Michelle Tynan in goal, Ann Broderick, Alva Kelly, Orla Watson, Rita Broderick and Lizzie Flynn in defence. Deirdre Murphy worked hard at midfield and while much of the danger up front came from Davitts captain Lourda Kavanagh, good support also came from Caroline and Mary Kelly.  However the biggest challenge now facing the Davitts side is to take that extra great leap forward and capture All Ireland Club honours. In the three years prior to Davitts taking over as Galway Camogie kingpins, Pearses captured three of their five All Ireland Club Camogie titles while Mullagh, Athenry, and Oranmore have also brought National Club honours to the county. While Davitts have an uphill battle it is well within their remit to take the joint leap for national success.

Stephanie Gannon in goal could not be faulted for Athenry and Mary Ward and Regina Glynn were outstanding in defence. Catherine Glynn and Jessica Gill had the better of the exchanges at midfield. Noreen Coen and Sara Donohue tried hard while the introduction of Darelle Coen also had a telling effect. However Athenry ace player Therese Maher worked extremely hard the crowding of this quality player by the Davitts defence curtailed the scoring poweress from Athenry.

Davitts: M Tynan; O Watson, A Broderick, L Flynn; R Broderick, A Kelly, L Gohery; P Hayes, D Murphy (0-1); C Kelly, C Kelly, D Gilchrist; O Forde, L Kavanagh (0-8)0-3fr),  M Kelly.
Subs: Y Donnelly for Gilchrist, D Kelly for Hayes.

Athenry: S Gannon; N Nally, A Poniard, M Ward; C Ruddy, R Glynn, J Poniard; C Glynn, J Gill (0-1); S Quirke, T Maher (0-3fr), S Fahy; M Keogh (0-1), S Donohue (0-2), N Coen (0-1).
Subs: D Coen for Quirke, S Quirke for Fahy.

Referee: D. Connolly

Davitts Captain Lourda Kavanagh accepts the Catherine Donnellan Cup from  Galway Camogie Chairman John Keane on their victory over Athenry in the Bus Eireann Senior A Co Camogie Final on Sunday last.

Senior Finalists Athenry who were narrowly defeated by Davitts in Bus Eireann Co Senior Camogie Final in Duggan Park last Sunday.
Back Row: Regina Glynn (Capt) Alice Poniard Catherine Glynn  Sarah Donoghue Therese Maher Jessica Gill, Sharon Quirke, Nicola Lally. Front Row: Jenny Poniard, Mary Keogh, Sharon Fahy, Crystal Ruddy, Stephanie Gannon, Mary Ward, Noreen Coen.