Drom retain on track for senior treble

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Senior Championship Semi-Final

Drom & Inch 0-13

Cashel King Cormacs 1-5

Drom & Inch remain on course for a three-in-a-row of County Senior Camogie Championship titles after seeing off a young Cashel side in the semi-final on Saturday.

After a very even opening half, Cashel held a slight lead 1-4 to 0-5 with Karin Blair’s brilliantly executed penalty in the 24th minute the key score. However, with the experience that comes with winning the last two county finals, Drom & Inch never panicked and slowly started to break down the Cashel defence to score six points without reply after the interval.

A lot had been spoken about Cashel’s speedy half forward line before the game and they showed lots of energy and drive in the opening minutes with Karin Blair and Grace Moloney setting the tempo with a point each from play.

The Drom & Inch defence quickly settled and were solid throughout meaning all of Cashel’s remaining scores came from placed balls from the Tipperary senior star Karin Blair. For many supporters the highlight of the game was the battle between Niamh Treacy and Karin Blair. With the Cashel star showing plenty of skill while the Drom player also a key figure, pressing forward on occasion to great effect.

Another key feature for the county champions was Eimear McGrath’s flawless free taking. In total she finished with eight points from frees and a 45 in a game which was very stop start in nature. Of the eight points, none were a simple tap over, but Eimear showed huge ability raising a white flag every time from tricky angles, close to the side-line while distance was also no problem with some scored from way out.

For Cashel, Sorcha Ryan started strongly, winning primary possession, and also making a key intervention blocking a Michelle Woodlock goal chance in the first half. The Drom management then switched Anne Eviston to full forward and her strength and physicality helped to curb the Cashel full-backs dominance.

Credit to Cashel they threw everything at Drom in the opening half and played some lovely camogie. Their defence was excellent spurning many Drom chances with Meabh Ellie Ryan and Aoibhe Gayson Molloy in particular very good. Up front, Karin Blair alongside Nicole Shelly and Grace Moloney had the Drom & Inch defence on their toes.

However, as the game developed and in particular in the second half the Drom & Inch attack began to find some more space.

For Drom, Miriam Campion and Michelle Woodlock were best up front, winning key primary possession and taking on their defenders to score some vital points. The Mid side enjoyed a great spell after half time showing greater urgency and better decision-making up front while the full back line of Maria Connolly, Maureen Ryan and Eimear Cahill made it very difficult for Cashel to score and didn’t concede a single score in the sixty minutes.

In midfield, Mary Burke also thundered into the game for Drom & Inch in the second half and took the game to Cashel. The West sides workrate never faltered but they couldn’t break down the Drom & Inch defence and when reflecting back on the game they will know only a single point in the second half and 1-5 in total was not going to be enough to win.

The game wasn’t the free-flowing high-scoring game that many would have hoped and expected from these sides. Instead, every point had to be hard earned and both sides defended in packs with lots of rucks emerging.

Drom & Inch will be delighted to have survived a difficult test and will take lots of positives from the second half. They did however miss some key goal chances which another day they could have rued.

For Cashel they will be disappointed to have exited the championship again at the semi-final stage. They had another great campaign winning all their group games and their quarter final and will have gained huge experience which will stand to them next year.

Player of the Match: Eimear McGrath (Drom & Inch)

Drom & Inch: Caoimhe Bourke, Maria Connolly, Maureen Ryan, Eimear Cahill, Niamh Long, Aoife McGrath, Niamh Treacy, Mary Burke, Eimear McGrath (0-9, 7f, 1 45), Siobhan McGrath, Anne Eviston, Miriam Campion (0-1), Dee Dunne, Joanne Ryan (0-1), Michelle Woodlock (0-2).

Sub: Mairead Eviston for Niamh Long

Cashel King Cormacs: Aoife O’Brien; Meabh Ellie Ryan, Sorcha Ryan, Chloe Coleman; Amy Crosse, Aoibhe Gayson Molloy, Laura Connolly; Katelyn Downey, Áine O’Dwyer; Grace Moloney (0-1), Nicole Shelly, Karin Blair (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3f), Anna Fahie, Ciara Dwan, Lily Fahie.

Referee: Kieran Slattery (Knockavilla Kickhams)