Tipperary Camogie Scene
By Geraldine Kinane PRO
Minor ‘A’ Final: Cashel King Cormacs 2-12 Éire Óg Annacarty 1-11
A crisp dry Sunday morning at the Camogie Grounds saw Cashel King Cormacs play Éire Óg Annacarty in the Minor ‘A’ County Final.
Cashel got off to a blistering start with a goal from Ciara Moloney within the first two minutes, followed by a point each from Katelyn Downey and Keeva O’Donoghue. Another goal from Grace Moloney saw Cashel firmly in the driving seat. Ciara Moloney, Anna Fahie and Erin Gillespie added to Cashel’s scoreline with a point each. Just before the first water break Annacarty secured two much needed points from Grainne Ryan and Ella Cummins to leave the score at the end of the first quarter Cashel 2-5, Éire Óg Annacarty 0-2.
Following the break, Éire Óg Annacarty emerged with a spirited step and dominated the quarter. The scoreboard was lit up with four points from Grainne Ryan, two points from Danielle Ryan and one point from Eva O’Dwyer. Amazingly Cashel failed to register a score in this quarter meaning only two points separated the sides at half time with Cashel King Cormacs still in front 2-5 to 0-9.
Both sides continued to entertain the supporters with more exciting end to end camogie in the second half. Cashel come out briskly and scored two points in quick succession from Keeva O’Donoghue and Ciara Moloney. Éire Óg, however, quickly responded with a goal from Molly Barry. Prior to the water-break both teams made changes in a bid to swing the game in their favour. Two more points from Cashel’s Keeva O’Donoghue saw the score at the end of the third quarter Cashel King Cormacs 2-9 Éire Óg Annacarty 1-9.
As the fourth quarter commenced Cashel’s Keeva O’Donoghue and Erin Gillespie scored a point each. Éire Óg responded with a point from Eva O’Dwyer. As the final few minutes ticked down Grainne Ryan added another point to Éire Óg’s tally, but Cashel’s Erin Gillespie ensured her side kept in front with her third point.
To the delight of the Cashel players and supporters referee Pat Murray sounded the whistle after an enthralling highly skilled game and Cashel King Cormacs ran out deserving winners.
In the end Cashel’s brilliant opening quarter where they scored 2-5 to Annacarty’s 0-2 proved crucial. Cashel always had that cushion, and they were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over to claim a famous win.
2-12 to 1-11 was excellent scoring for a minor final only days out from Christmas. A real testament to the talent on display and the excellent coaching from both management teams. Equally impressive was the spread of scorers for each side with six Cashel players and five Annacarty players all getting their names on the scoresheet.
Cashel King Cormacs: Evelyn Gayson Molloy (J-Capt), Chloe Coleman, Ella O’Dwyer, Saoirse Davis, Katelyn Downey (0-1), Aoibhe Gayson Molloy (J-Capt), Eleanor Tobin, Lily Fahie, Emer Dwan, Anna Fahie (0-1), Grace Moloney (1-0), Ciara Moloney (1-2), Keeva O’Donoghue (0-5), Lucy Fogarty, Erin Gillespie (0-3). Subs: Ellie Butler for Tobin, Aaliyah McKenna for Fogarty.
Eire Og Annacarty: Aibhin White, Ailbhe Ryan, Áine O’Dwyer, Áine Ryan, Katelyn Ryan, Ciara O’Hora, Cora Heffernan, Clodagh Ryan, Danielle Ryan (0-2), Ella Cummins (0-1), Eimear Roche, Ellen Gantley Eva O’Dwyer (0-2), Grainne Ryan (0-6), Molly Barry (1-0). Subs: Meadbh Ryan for A O’Dwyer, Nia O’Donovan for E O’Dwyer
Minor ‘B’ Semi-Finals:
Moycarkey/Borris 2-9 St Rita’s Fethard 0-4
Two first half goals from Rachel Ralph were key to Moycarkey/Borris’ success as they booked their place in the County final in the New Year.
A great start by the home side saw them take a commanding lead in at the break 2-06 to 0-2. Fethard found another gear in the second half and responded great to the task ahead limiting Moycarkey to just three points and really testing their defence. Moycarkey, however, showed lots of resolve and skill. In the end despite the best efforts of the Fethard attack they could only muster a further two points leaving Moycarkey/Borris deserving winners.
Shannon Rovers 1-9 Brian Borus 1-5
Shannon Rovers started lively and were 1-2 to 0-2 up at the first water break, the goal came from a clinical Laura Leenane finish to the net after receiving a pass from the industrious and skilful Nicola Kelly. Shannon Rovers had extended their lead to 1-5 to 0-4 by half time, Laura Leenane and Celine Guinan with a point each from play and Laura had also added two from frees. Full forward Alanna English scored all four of Brian Borus’ points from frees.
The third quarter saw Brian Borus increase the pressure on Shannon Rovers’ defence. Brian Borus’ full back Kacey Meehan came up the field to take a 21-yard free which she struck cleanly to the roof of the Rovers net. By now two of Rover’s full back line were on yellow cards reflecting the pressure felt by the defence from the strength of the Brian Borus challenge. Shannon Rovers got to grips with Brian Borus efforts and swung momentum back in their favour with Emma Darcy scoring a point from play. Rovers’ impressive County Minor player Laura Leenane finished out the match with three excellent points from play bringing her personal total to 1-7. Alanna English scored Brian Borus’ final point from a free.
Shannon Rovers will now face Moycarkey/Borris in the in the final on Monday 3rd January.
Secondary Schools:
Munster Senior ‘A’ - Cashel CS had a 0-13 to 0-6 win over Presentation Thurles in Cashel on Friday last. Ursuline Thurles defeated Ursuline Waterford and will now play Cashel in the semi-final.
Munster Senior ‘B’ - St Mary’s SS Nenagh face Colaiste na Piarsaigh Glanmire in Mallow on January 7th in the Munster semi-final.
Munster Senior ‘C’ - Pobal Scoil Roscrea are into the Munster final v Kilfinane on Saturday 8th January.
Munster Junior ‘A’ - Ursuline Thurles defeated Coachford College in the Munster semi-final on December 14th 4-10 to 1-9. Coachford had knocked out Cashel CS in the quarter final. There was nothing between the sides at the second water break when an Ava Bevans goal gave Thurles a lead they would not lose. The Munster Final v Clonakilty is fixed for Saturday, 8th January.
Munster Junior ‘B’ - Presentation Thurles have qualified for the Munster ‘B’ semi-final on January 7th after their comprehensive quarter final win over Carrick-on-Suir CBS 3-11 to 0-3. St Mary’s SS Nenagh contest the other semi-final on January 11th against Colaiste Ennis, after their 4-9 to 1-5 win over Borrisokane CC. Let’s hope it will be an ‘All Tipperary’ final!
Munster Junior ‘C’ - Two Tipperary schools face each other in the Munster semi-final. St Mary’s SS Newport beat Pobal Scoil Roscrea 5-10 to 3-7 while Colaiste Dun Iascaigh Cahir beat Loreto Fermoy 4-9 to 3-2. Cahir play Newport on January 7th with the winners facing either Kinsale CS or Hazelwood College Dromcollogher in the final.
Munster Junior ‘D’ - St Joseph’s College Borrisoleigh are into their Munster semi-final after a six-point quarter final win over Blackwater CS Lismore.
Best of luck to both St Anne’s Tipperary and Presentation Ballingarry in the semi-finals of the South and North Under 16½ competitions.
Schools Camogie Committee: Tipperary schools camogie coaches are organising a series of blitzes starting with 1st & 2nd Year Blitzes on December 20th, January 19th, and February 1st.