The Camogie Zone

2021 FBD Insurance Minor B Championship Final

Moycarkey-Borris    2-07

Shannon Rovers        0-12 

2021 will go down as a truly memorable year for Moycarkey-Borris as they added the Minor B title on Saturday to the U14 A and U16 A championship already won. A great crowd gathered in Borrisoleigh GAA pitch to witness the re-fixed final between Shannon Rovers and Moycarkey-Borris on Saturday morning. Moycarkey-Borris got off to a perfect start with a point from Alisha Kearney after a minute from their first attack. Ciara Shelly extended their lead with a second point from play. Shannon Rovers didn’t take long to settle with Emma Darcy getting them off the mark after 10 minutes with a well taken point from play. A second point from play followed by a Laura Leenane free on the 12th minute put them into the lead. Kate Ralph who had a great duel throughout the hour with Shannon Rover’s Eimear Fogarty pointed just before the waterbreak to make it 3 points apiece .

There was a strong breeze in Borrisoleigh but it was difficult to know to whose advantage as it seemed to blow more across the field. After the restart Moycarkey-Borris were the first to score with a Sarah Corcoran 45m on the 20th minute. This was to be their final score of the half as Shannon Rovers began to dominate and exert pressure up front where Laura Leenane scored a brilliant point over her shoulder. This was followed by two pointed frees from Celine Guinan and Laura Leenane. After a keenly contested opening half momentum looked to have shifted in Shannon Rovers’ favour as they took a two point lead in at half time 6 points to 4. Moycarkey-Borris started the second half just like the first with Alisha Keanery bursting forward to strike the ball over the black spot. Laura Leenane responded with a free before Moycarkey-Borris struck for the first of their two crucial second half goals. The ball was delivered into the danger zone and Shannon Rovers were unable to clear it due to ferocious work rate of the Moycarkey-Borris attack and eventually Rachel Ralph pulled on the ball into the back of the net. Shannon Rovers needed a response and minutes later they were on the attack. With the half forward line playing deep Emma Darcy and Niamh Franks were operating on the inside line with lots of space. On the 37th Niamh was running at the defence before being fouled. A quick thinking free by Laura Leenane found Emma Darcy who struck for goal but was brilliantly blocked down by Caitlin Shelly. The tempo was really raised now as both sides contested every ball whole heartily. Two Laura Leenane fress either side of an Emma O’Sullivan pointed free for Moycarkey-Borris meant the sides were level again 1-6 to 11 points and spectators began to ponder the possibility of extra time as a winner was proving difficult to predict. Emma Darcy and Laura Leenane again pointed to put Rovers back in the driving seat. Moycarkey-Borris refused to drop the heads and their work-rate and attitude was rewarded when substitute Michelle Flanagan who was introduced at half time raised a green flag to the delight of her teammates and supporters. Three minutes later Ciara Shelly pointed to make it 2-6 to 11 points. A late Emma Darcy point reduced the gap to a single point but time ran out for the North Tipp side and as the final whistle blew it was Moycarkey-Borris who were celebrating the narrowest of victories. The final was certainly worth the wait with supporters treated to a pulsating encounter where the momentum and lead swung back and forth between two excellent sides. The brand of camogie played by both teams was a joy to watch as both sets of players played with a freedom of expression. Moycarkey-Borris’s ability to get goals when they needed them most was pivotal to their success but over all it was a wonderful team performance from Molly O’Dwyer in the goals right up to the dangerous attack and the subs introduced who all had an impact. The defence led by Joan O’Keefe at centre back shut down any threat of a Shannon Rovers goal which also paved the way to their victory. 

Moycarkey-Borris: Molly O’Dwyer, Ellen Maher, Rebecca Hogan, Caitlin Shelly, Amy Callanan, Joan O’Keefe, Grainne Stapleton. Kate Ralph(0-1), Alisha Kearney(0-2), Ciara Shelly(0-2), Queva O’Meara, Emma O’Sullivan(0-1, free), Enya Maher, Rachel Ralph(1-0), Sarah Corcoran(0-1,45m). Subs used: Michelle Flanagan(1-0) for Enya Maher (HT)Lucy Callanan for Queva O’Mear – Panel: Aoibh Carroll, Kayleigh Ryan, Orlaith Ryan, Kate O’Keefe, Caoimhe O’Sullivan, Aimee Slattery. 

Shannon Rovers: Megan Dunne, Niamh Slevin, Aine Leenane, Meabh Cahalan, Kellie Watson, Eimear Fogarty, Frances Bulger, Ella Walsh, Rachel Hannigan, Nimah Franks, Celine Guinan(0-1,free), Emma Darcy(0-3), Nicola Kelly, Laura Leenane(0-7, 6 frees), Anna    Harding – Panel: Saoirse Hogan, Erica Fogarty, Emma Molloy, Alannah Young. 

Munster Intermediate Final

Gailltír (Waterford)                              1-11

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams    0-11            

A 47th minute goal by Alannah O’Sullivan was the decisive score for the Waterford champions as they defeated Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams on Saturday in Mallow to claim their 4^th Munster crown in a row and their 5^th in 6 years. It was a brilliant performance by the Tipperary Intermediate Camogie champions as they led by 6 points to 5 at half time and came so close to de-throning the champions.  Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams got off to a dream start when an early attack yielded a free which Eimear Heffernan duly pointed. Caoimhe McCarthy caught the ball directly from the puckout and went on a run before laying off the ball to Emma O’Mara  who passed it to Caoimhe McCormack and she fired over Knockavilla’s second point. Gailltír had their first score of the game with a well taken Molly Comerford point before Caoimhe McCarthy went on one of her many brilliant runs handpassed to Ereena Fryday who pulled the trigger and blasted the ball over the bar to make it 3 points to 1in favour of Kickhams who were going into the game as underdogs. Aoife Fitzgerald was excellent on placed balls all day finishing with 6 points in total and after 10 mins she pointed the first of her points from a 45m. At the first water break the sides were level 3 points apiece thanks to another Aoife Fitzgerald point. Both sides continued to exchange scores in the second quarter where every ball was fought with great passion. The midfield duo of Kate Lynch and Shauna Fitzgerald were having a great battle with the Kickhams pair Caoimhe McCarthy and Niamh Slatttey. Meave Sheirdan was tasked with picking up Ereena Fryday in another great contest. The first half was played at a great tempo and at half time Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams held a 1 point advantage. Gailltír started the second half brighter with 3 points in succession to give them a one point lead. Kickhams responded with a point in the 39^th minute which was quickly cancelled out by another Gailltír   point. Then approaching 47 minutes centre back and player of the match Clodagh Carroll stormed out of defence and her delivery found Annie Fitzgerald who showed great vision to pop a handpass to Alannah O’Sullivan who made no mistake in her low hard shot to the back of the net. Gailltír’s 5 point lead was reduced to 4 (1-9 to 0-8) as the referee signalled for the second half waterbreak thanks to another sublime Eimear Heffernan free. Aoife Fitzgerald had her 6^th point from placed balls after the restart to put 5 between the sides again as Gailltír looked to push on. Knockavilla Donaskeigh came so close to a goal of their own when a Eimear Heffernan sideline cut found Beth Ryan who had pushed forward at the edge of the square. She took the ball into her had but couldn’t get free from the Gailltír defence to get the shot off and had to be content with hand passing the ball across the square where the onrushing Rebecca Farrell connected on the ball first time only to see her shot saved by Ciara Jackman in the goal. The Tipp champions refused to drop the heads and they continued to go on the attack which resulted in an Ellen Brown point on the 53^rd minute. From the puck out Sarah Ryan gathered possession and went on a brilliant run before laying off to the excellent Eimear Heffernan who fired over her 6^th point to the delight of the travelling supporters from West Tipperary. There was huge excitement from the crowd as Eimear’s point made it a 3 point game 1-10 to 10 points. Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams looked the fitter of the sides as they lauched another attack from deep in their own half with Caoimhe McCarthy and Niamh Slattery who both put in huge shifts linking up together to solo down the field before finding Emma O’Mara who continued the move by solo running through the heart of the Gailltír defence who looked in real bother. Emma handpassed the ball to Ellen Browne on her right and she bravely took on the ball beating her marker before striking the ball low pass the keeper but her shot trailed agonisingly wide. Again it was Kickhams who once again created the next attack which resulted in a foul on Eimear Heffernan and she pointed the resulting free form a difficult angle to eat into Gailltír’s lead. Gailltír showed all their experience and class and didn’t panic and Laoise Forrest restored their 3 point advantage on the 32^nd minute by cleverly kicking the ball over the bar after she was being well marshalled. It was heartbreak for Kickhams as their brave and talented performance just fell short. They had heroes all over the field with Caoimhe McCarthy, Eimear Heffernan, Caoimhe McCormack, Ereena Fryday and Beth Ryan all excellent. Credit to Gailltír who managed to withstand the onslaught of attacks especially in the final quarter as Kickhams looked to swing the game back in their favour. The Waterford champions are no doubt a formidable side with Meave Sheridan and Clodagh Carroll to the fore in defence and Annie Fitzgerald and Kate Lynch excellent in attack while Aoife Fitzgerald like Eimear Heffernan her opposite counterpart so reliable on frees.

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Sheena Ryan, Ellie Hadnett, Megan McCormack, Leonie Farrell, Sinead Furlong, Beth Ryan, Holly Fotzgerald, Caoimhe McCarthy, Niamh Slattery, Ereena Fryday, Eimear Gleeson,Ellen Browne, Eimear Heffernan, Sarah Mae Crosse, Caoimhe McCormack – Panel: Sarah Ryan, Aoife White, Sinead Hayes, Chloe Farrell, Emma O’Mara, Emma Daly, Emma ryan, Stacie Farrell, Grainne O’Dwyer, Doireann Hales, Rebecca Farrell, Katie O’Heney

Tipperary Minor Camogie begin campaign v Limerick.

Killmallock will be the venue as Tipperary play Limerick away in Round 1 of the Tesco All Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship this Sunday with the throw-in time to be confirmed..  Tipperary will be hoping for a much-improved performance after a disappointing 2021 campaign. Tipperary have 3 rounds to play during February with a home game v Wexford on February 13^th and a long trip to face Antrim on February 27^th. The top 2 teams in this group qualify but a group win may give a more favourable draw in knockout stages.

The performances of the Tipperary schools have given this panel a fresh hope as Cashel have secured the Munster Senior A title recently and have Cashel’s Grace Moloney, Lillie and Anna Fahie, Ella o Dwyer and Boherlahan’s Lisa o Connor and Emma Horgan on the Tipp panel. Presentation Thurles and Ursuline Thurles won the Munster Junior B and A titles with both schools also well represented on this panel. Newport’s Abbie Lenihan and Cashel KC’s Grace Moloney have been named joint captains.

Post Primary Schools Camogie Update.

All Ireland Senior A semifinal: Cashel Community School will face Cross and Passion Ballycastle, Antrim on Saturday February 5^th in Leahy Park, Cashel at 1.30pm. Cashel had a dramatic win over Cork’s Coachford College in the Munster final.

All Ireland Senior C semifinal:

Colaiste Phobal Roscrea play St Killians College, Garron Tower, Antrim   on February 5^th in the All Ireland quarter final in Moneygall at 12 noon. Roscrea had a great win over Kilfinane in the Munster final.

Hayes Intermediate Shield.

Nenagh College were well beaten by their Cork opposition Presentation Mitchelstown in the Munster Intermediate Shield Final.

Munster Intermediate League Final 

In an all-Tipperary final, St Josephs Borrisoleigh will take on Our Ladys Templemore on Monday January 31^st. Borrisoleigh accounted for Castletroy by 4-14 to 0-07  in their semi while Templemore got over Kilmacthomas by 1-18 to 2-05. Looks like we are in store for a high scoring final!

All Ireland Junior semifinals:

On February 12^th Ursuline Thurles will make the long trip up to County Derry to Erin’s Own GAA grounds, Lavey to play St Patricks Maghera.

On the same date, Presentation Thurles are due to play Leinster winners Banagher in a venue to be comfirmed in the Junior B All Ireland series.

Junior Plate: Best of luck to Cashel Community School and Borrisokane Community College in their Junior Plate games.

Littlewoods Ireland League kicks off this weekend

With covid restrictions lifting there is a really air of enthusiasm in the country and this is heightened even further with the start of the Littlewoods Ireland division 1 and 2 national league this Saturday. The Tipperary senior team will host Down in the county camogie grounds in the Ragg in their opening game at 2 pm on Saturday while Ray Delaney’s Junior team will compete in the division 2 league where they will face Kilkenny in Freshford also on Saturday with the throw in time to be confirmed.  Both teams have been preparing well since the start of the year with a series of challenge matches as well as tough training sessions and lots of gym work in preparation for the new season. The seniors will look to go further than last year and reach a league final after losing to Kilkenny in the semi-final. In the division 2 league last year Tipperary survived the relegation battle to maintain their division 2 status. The team were subsequently relegated from Intermediate and will compete in the Junior championship. The league will therefore be excellent preparation for the championship with good performances in the league boding well for their championship ambitions.

Manager Bill Mullaney announced his panel for the National League earlier in the week. There are call ups for Jenny Grace, Gemma Fox, Courtney Ryan and Claire Hogan who all impressed in last year’s Intermediate championship. While sisters Caoimhe and Ciardha Maher from Burgess-Duharra are both named after being unavailable last year. Last year’s starters Karen Kennedy and Mairead Eviston along with Clodagh Quirke are all omitted as they continue to recover from injury. Drom-Inch’s Eimear Cahill is rewarded for her excellent year with the club with a call-up. The panel in full is as follows:

1 Aine Slattery Shannon Rovers

2 Sarah Delaney Boherlahan Dualla

3 Claire Stakelum Holycross/Ballycahill

4 Julieanne Burke Borris-Ileigh

5 Nicole Walsh Borris-Ileigh

6 Sorcha Ryan Cashel KC

7 Karin Blair Cashel KC

8 Courtney Ryan Clonoulty/Rossmore

9 Emer Loughman Clonoulty/Rossmore

10 Cait Devane Clonoulty/Rossmore

11 Casey Hennessy Clonoulty/Rossmore

12 Caoimhe McCarthy Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams

13 Ereena Fryday Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams

14 Eimear Heffernan Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams

15 Aoife McGrath Drom/Inch

16 Caoimhe Bourke Drom/Inch

17 Eimear Cahill Drom/Inch

18 Miriam Campion Drom/Inch

19 Niamh Treacy Drom/Inch

20 Emer McGrath Drom/Inch

21 Clodagh McIntyre Lorrha/Dorra

22 Mary Ryan Moneygall

23 Caoimhe Maher Burgess/Duharra

24 Ciardha Maher Burgess/Duharra

25 Jenny Grace Burgess/Duharra

26 Grace O’Brien Nenagh Eir Og

27 Roisin Howard Cahir

28 Claire Hogan St Cillians

29 Ciara Brennan St Cillains

30 Sinead Meagher Kiladangan

31 Gemma Fox Eire Og Annacarty

Management:

Bill Mullaney Newport/Ballinahinch

Carmel Bradshaw Ballina

Mary Howard Cahir

Denis Kelly Borrisoleigh

Dinny Ferncombe Holycross/Ballycahill

Alan O’Connor S&C Cahir

Diarmuid Leahy S&C Moyne/Templetouthy

Brendan Ryan Physio Borrisoleigh

Maggie O’Grady Video

Bobby Carrigan Logistics Ballybacon Grange

Odhran Floyd Analytics Newport Ballinahinch