Our Intermediate team showed their incredible team spirit to win their first championship match against Blackrock.

The game was played at Castle Road on Sunday July 27th. This game had everything, great commitment, tremendous skill and some great scores. We lost Sinead Mills with a red card after 25 minutes which was a poor decision by the referee but instead of it deflating us, it galvinised us up to another level which was a privilige to watch. It's no surprise, we have seen it time and time again. This team dont know when their beaten. To play against a team like Blackrock with only 14 players for the last 35 minutes and to come out on top simply defies all logic. Our squad of 25 players knows what defeat was like in the league final and its not forgotten. Im sure even Blackrock would agree we deserved it today. From the begining we started slow eventhough we had the wind. Blackrock went a point up before Jane Dooley put over a beauty. Blackrock scored three points, two from play and one from a free before Shauna Cronin scored our second point. Then Sinead saw red which she didn't deserve. We were shell-shocked after this but kept our concentration and focus. Captain Susan Kate put over a free and then Orla Ni Shuallabhain scored a goal just before H.T. We were 1-3 to 0-4 up at H.T. Blacrock had the wind in the second half and with 14 players we knew we had to give it everything. Linda told the girls to win it for Sinead. And did they respond.............you bet ya. Lauren replaced Rachel at corner forward to inject more pace. Early in the second half Caoinhe Rodgers put over a free. Emer went on for Orla who ran herself in to the ground. Then Caoimhe showed her class with a rocket of a goal. Surely a contender for goal of the season. Blackrock scored a point from play after 17 minutes. That was their first score in 23 minutes. Blackrock were awarded a penalty which was another dubious decision. The shot hit the crossbar and went over. Caoimhe put over a free to settle us down.  Then Claire Dooley scored a lovely point to give some breathing space. With two minutes left Blackrock scored a soft goal to leave just a point in it. We kept our composure to seal perhaps one of the greatest championship wins Dillons have ever achieved, when you consider the obstacles we had to climb. At the finish our girls were exhausted. They had given it everyting. When your up against it, every team needs leaders and we had them all over the pitch. Caroline at corner back was immense. Emma, Amanda and Alison on the half back line were solid. Susan had a great first half and Shauna was dominant in the second. The Dooleys were at their best and Caoimhe was superb. Linda said at the finish that she was proud of the performance, that says it all. This was a big win,but we haven't won anything yet. It's back to the Tank to train hard. Our next championship match is against Newcestown on the 20th August.