Eglish boss hails “captain fantastic” Horsfield

By Shaun Casey

IN the dying seconds of Saturday’s Intermediate Camogie final, Antoin McCaffery wouldn’t have wanted anyone else standing over the penalty that would ultimately decide the game.

Score, and Brenda Horsfield would secure the title for Eglish. Miss, and it was Crossmaglen who returned home with the trophy. McCaffery, the Eglish boss, had no doubts.

Horsfield, who turned 50 this year, was never going to miss. The team goalkeeper, captain, club chairperson, Horsfield is a living legend in Eglish and future cemented her legacy when she fired home the game-winning goal.

The sides couldn’t be separated the first day out and again were all square at half time last Saturday. With just seconds left on the clock, Cross held a two point lead but Horsfield had other ideas and planted the penalty with the final puck of the day.

“Brenda stepping up at the end was nearly a fairy tale moment in a way. Brenda has been a stalwart of Eglish Camogie for a long time,” said McCaffery in his first season in charge of the Tyrone champions.

“She’s definitely the most experienced player on the panel and as well as that she’s probably one of the most skilful we have but for her to step up, she has nerves of steel.

“She’s been a real leader this year within the group and a real leader within the club. Brenda has been involved with underage groups, she’s involved in the committee, she’s chair of the club now too.

“So no better person than Brenda to step up and do what she did. She’s the true representation of a captain fantastic, she’s been brilliant this year for us.”

It’s onto the All-Ireland stage now for Eglish and they lock horns with Cork’s Ballincollig in the semi-final this weekend at Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore.