Thurles forward power too much for brave Borris-Ileigh

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Minor 'B' Championship Final

Thurles Sarsfields 6-15

Borris-Ileigh 5-9

The County Minor ‘B’ Camogie Final in Boherlahan on Sunday afternoon was an exhilarating contest, filled with thrilling scores and standout performances, as Thurles Sarsfields powered to victory over Borris-Ileigh.

The win marked back-to-back minor county titles for Thurles Sarsfields, who captured the crown last year.

Borris-Ileigh made an explosive start, finding the net in the opening minute through Grace Stapleton. However, Thurles responded immediately through Caoimhe Stakelum, who fired in a goal.

Both teams exchanged early points, with Grace Stapleton keeping Borris-Ileigh in contention before Lucy Rabbitte struck her side's second goal in the fourteenth minute to put them 2-3 to 1-3 ahead.

Thurles hit their stride as the first half wore on, thanks to the individual brilliance of Lucy Purcell and Caoimhe Stakelum. They showcased superb skill, with Stakelum delivering a stunning strike off the hurley in the nineteenth minute to raise another white flag.

By the closing stages of the half, Thurles had extended their lead to eight points. Credit to Borris-Ileigh, though, as they kept battling. They were rewarded with a fine goal from Aoife Fitzgerald after a perfectly timed pass from Grace Stapleton, leaving the halftime scoreline at 3-9 to 3-3 in Thurles’ favour.

Borris-Ileigh started the second half brightly, with Emma Maher landing the opening score. First half substitute Sophie Nolan quickly responded with a goal for Thurles, followed by another Maher free.

Thurles then delivered a key blow when joint-captain Ella Moloney surged up field from her wing-back position to score her side’s fourth goal.

Despite the growing deficit, Borris-Ileigh continued to fight, with Grace Stapleton finding the net on forty minutes to cut the gap to seven points.

Caoimhe & Kate Stakelum both added to Thurles’ tally, while Aoife Fitzgerald and Maher kept the scoreboard ticking over for Borris-Ileigh.

In the 59th minute, Lucy Purcell delivered the final blow, firing in her second goal of the game to push Thurles’ lead out to eleven points. Caoimhe Stakelum followed up with a late point, but Borris-Ileigh had one final moment of brilliance as Emma Maher stepped up for a free and drove the ball low and hard into the net with the last puck of the game.

In the end, Thurles Sarsfields’ quality and firepower proved too much, as they were crowned champions. Caoimhe Stakelum and Lucy Purcell were the standout performers for the winners as they caused problems for the Borris defence throughout.

Thurles had plenty of other key performers though with three other goal scorers along with great displays from Kaelinn Rossiter, Sophie Bourke and Leanna Coppinger.

Player of the Match: Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields)

Thurles Sarsfields: Alina Keogh; Laragh Griffin, Leanna Coppinger, Naoise Treacy; Martina Creedon, Sophie Burke, Ella Moloney (1-0); Lucy Purcell (2-4), Kaelinn Rossiter; Kate Stakelum (0-1), Caoimhe Stakelum (1-11, 0-5f, 0-1 ‘45), Ava Geoghegan; Eve Cleary, Maria Ralph, Alva Nuvoloni (1-0).

Sub used: Sophie Nolan (1-0).

Borris-Ileigh: Aisling Boyle; Aoife Ryan, Tara Kennedy, Tara Fitzgerald; Abi Kelly, Eve Maher, Ava Fanning; Aoife Fitzgerald (1-3), Therese Groome; Ava Bevans, Emma Maher (1-4f), Lucy Rabbitte (1-0); Amy Maher, Grace Stapleton (2-2), Alesha Fanning.

Referee: Joe Kearney (Clonoulty/Rossmore).