FBD Insurance Junior A Semi-Finals

New Inn was the venue for the hotly anticipated Junior A championship semi final between Holycross Ballycahill and St Rita’s Fethard on Sunday morning. Six minutes in and the first point of the game was sweetly delivered by Holycross Ballycahill’s Michelle Dwan.  Fethard followed closely after with a point from Alison Connolly and Katie Ryan.  Michelle Dwan added to her tally with a point followed by a Claire Stakelum point. In a tight encounter Fethard then replied with 2 more points.  Claire Stakelum and Michelle Dwan again added a point each for Holycross Ballycahill.  27 minutes in and Holycross Ballycahill’s Sara Gleeson made a wonderful save from close range and with great confidence and composure in the goal she cleared the rebound.  Before half time Michelle Dwan added another point to her tally while St Rita’s Fethard’s Lucy Spillane scored the last point of the half.  Half time score Holycross Ballycahill 0-06, St Rita’s Fethard 0-05.

Steph Dwan opened the 2nd half scoring with a point for Holycross Ballycahill.  Moments later Steph was bearing down on the St Rita’s Fethard goal however Sarah Smith made a fantastic save from close range. Hot off the heels of Sarah’s great save, St Rita’s Fethard scored a goal.  Seconds later Holycross Ballycahill were awarded a free.  Lauren McCormack struck the ball beautifully and landed it into the back of the net.  With the minutes ticking down both teams dug hard and doggedly fought for every ball.  Fethard scored 2 more points, however Holycross Ballycahill weren’t finished yet and were awarded a free.  Lauren McCormack again sweetly put the ball between the post for a point. To give Holycross Balycahoill the narrowest of victories. Final score Holycross Ballycahill 1-08, St Rita’s Fethard 1-07. 

On Saturday evening Moycarkey Borris last year’s Junior B winners met last year’s Junior A finalist Brian Borus in Holycross it was expected to be a close game. Hoever playing with the advantage of the wind it was all Moycarkey Borris in the opening half and they led at half time 2.10 to 4 points. Moycarkey Borris were on top all over the field with their goals coming from Emma O’Sullivan and Joan O’Keefe. Brian Borus regrouped at the break and came out a different team in the second half out scoring the opposition 1.11 to 1.2. It was a brilliant comeback by Brian Borus but credit to Moycarkey Borris they survived and held on for the win in a nail biting finish. Cathriona Walsh also found the back of the net while their points throughout the hour came from Sarah Corcoran, Kate Ralph, Joan O’Keefe, Ciara Shelly and Emma O’Sullivan. Final score Moycarkey Borris 3-12, Brian Borus 1-15.

FBD Insurance Junior B2 Semi-Finals

On Sunday in the Thurles MIC pitch, Eire OG Annacarty qualified for the junior B2 County final by overcoming Shannon Rovers on a scoreline of 1.16 to 1.06. The Rovers girls took an early lead through their best player, Anna Harding who scored two points from play and one from a free and she would go on to add two more frees before half time. Annacarty gradually took over though and their backs and midfielders sprayed a constant supply of ball in to the left corner forward position where their best player Lucy Heffernan was on fire, scoring five points from play. Miriam Butler finished off a good team move to score Annacarty's goal and she also converted four frees with Ciara Slattery and Jennifer Heffernan adding a point each to leave the half time score 1.11 to 5 points. In the second half the Rovers girls, including Aoife Sullivan and Kelly Watson, shut down the space for the Annacarty forwards and there was long stretches of honest hard working play without many scores. Anna Harding pointed a free before leaving the field through injury and her loss was keenly felt. Maggie Sullivan doubled on a loose ball in the Annacarty square and found the back of the net.  But it was Annacarty who finished stronger with Miriam Butler converting two frees, Ciara Slattery getting two points from play and Jennifer Heffernan one from play to see them deservedly reach a county final.

On Saturday morning in Sean Treacy GAA in Kilcommon Toomevara and Holycross Ballycahill met in their FBD Insurance Junior B2 semi-final. The game was played in very wet conditions with Toomevara emerging victorious and booking their place in this year’s county final. Early goals from Therese Maxwell and Fiona Young laid the platform for the win in what was a superb team performance. Final scoreline Toomevara 2-05 Holycross Ballycahill 1-06.

FBD Insurance Junior B Quarter Finals

There was 3 junior B quarter finals played this weekend with the first taking place underlights in Clonoulty on Friday night. The homeside proved too strong for the visitors with the final scoreline reading Clonoulty Rossmore 2-17 Silvermines 1-06.

On Sunday evening Gortnahoe Glenngoole and Carrick Swans went head to head in Gortnahoe.

Gortnahoe Glenngoole hit the ground running scoring the opening points from Grace Campion. Sophie Pembroke was rock solid at centre back while also getting on the scoreboard from frees. Carrick Swans got a goal from a free early in the first half and it was a battle until half time. Gortnahoe Glenngoole went in a point up at half time. Both teams came out with a fighting spirit in the second half.  Annie Slattery dominated at full back for Gortnahoe while Ciara Gleeson and Ciara Hogan formed a solid partnership in midfield and popped up  with a couple of points. It was a very good team performance from Carrick Swans with their goals coming from Aoife Fleming (who finished with 1-04) and Sadie Haley. All girls played well stand out performance from Emma O’Halloran Emer Walsh and Kate Reddington.

The game was a fight to the finish with a great display of camogie from both sides but Gortnahoe Glenngoole came out on top to advance to the Semi Final on a final scoreline of 0-14 to 2-06.

Moyle Rovers travelled to Roscrea on Sunday evening hoping to book their place in the Junior B semi-final. In a fine team display they ran out winners over the home side on a final scoreline of 3-12 to 1-05.

FBD Insurance Intermediate Championship

With Moneygall already qualified for a semi-final they travelled to Newport without some of their key players. In a low scoring affair Newport Ballinahinch raised 3  green flags to run out comfortable winner 3-05 to 3 points. In the other game played at the weekend. Toomevara put up a huge score to comfortably beat a struggling Kilruane MacDonagh’s team in Cloughjordan. The final game of the championship sees Boherlahan Dualla and Newport Ballinahinch play this Wednesday evening in Dr Morris Park at 7.30pm. Boherlahn need a win or a draw to take the 4^th spot in the group ahead of Toomevara with Shannon Rovers, Monegall and Newport Ballinahinch all safely through to the semi-finals.