Nenagh’s rise continues with Minor success

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Minor ‘B’ Championship Final

Nenagh Eire Og 1-16

Borris-Ileigh 1-12

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Sailí O’Connor (Nenagh Eire Og).

SCORERS – Nenagh Eire Og: Grace Cleary 0-6 (5 frees, 1 ’45); Sailí O’Connor 0-5; Clodagh Spain 1-0; Saoirse Ryan, Anna O’Dwyer 0-2 each; Sophie Hourigan 0-1.

Borris-Ileigh: Lucy Rabbitte 0-6 (4 frees, 2 45s); Therese Groome 1-2; Grace Stapleton 0-4.

Nenagh Éire Óg claimed the County Minor ‘B’ Camogie title with a four-point victory over Borris-Ileigh in at a well-contested final at the County Camogie Grounds, The Ragg, last Wednesday.

Therese Groome opened the scoring for Borris-Ileigh with a point inside the first two minutes, but Clodagh Spain hit back quickly for Nenagh with a well-taken goal.

Saoirse Ryan added a point before Groome struck again, this time with a goal, to level proceedings in an action-packed opening ten minutes.

However, from here on, Nenagh began to take control. Sailí O’Connor pointed, followed by three converted frees from the ever-reliable Grace Cleary to edge her side ahead. With all six forwards in flying form, Nenagh maintained the pressure and Anna O’Dwyer added another point to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Following two more frees from Cleary, Sophie Hourigan added a fine point in the 21st minute. At this stage, all six Nenagh forwards had found the target, with Borris-Ileigh in real trouble.

Grace Stapleton responded with a point for Borris-Ileigh, but it was only a brief respite. Sailí O’Connor (2), Anna O’Dwyer, and Saoirse Ryan all added points to stretch the lead further, leaving the half-time score at 1-13 to 1-2 with Borris-Ileigh facing a huge mountain to climb in the second half.

With the aid of the wind in the second half, Borris needed a strong start — and they got it when Grace Stapleton split the posts straight from the restart. Minutes later, she threatened again, but Eleanor Boland produced an excellent save, turning the ball out for a 45m which Lucy Rabbitte converted.

Grace Cleary opened Nenagh’s second-half account with a 45, but Rabbitte responded with both a free and another 45 to narrow the gap to eight. Two more points in quick succession from Grace Stapleton reduced the deficit further but the excellent Sailí O’Connor struck a crucial score in the 43rd minute to keep Borris at arm’s length.

The challengers refused to give in. Therese Groome, after a lovely pass from Amy Maher, fired over, before Rabbitte hit three frees in a row to leave just three points between the sides as the game entered stoppage time.

Clodagh Spain won a hard-fought ball in midfield and quickly released it to Saili O’Connor, who side-stepped two defenders onto her left before sending it sailing over the bar. It was her fifth point from play and proved to be the insurance score that sealed a memorable victory.

After the final whistle, captain Ella O’Brien proudly accepted the cup on behalf of her teammates, and the celebrations began in earnest.

Great credit must go to this group of players who have battled together for Nenagh Eire Og over many years — from the disappointment of losing the U12 ‘C’ final in 2019, to the joy of winning the U15 ‘C’ title in 2022, and now, three years later, claiming the Minor ‘B’ crown. It is a testament to their skill, determination, and commitment.

Huge credit must go also to Borris-Ileigh, eleven points down at half time many teams would have thrown in the towel. Instead, they came out and gave an unbelievable exhibition of work-rate and determination, led by Tara Fitzgerald and Eve Maher in defence, Ava Fanning who was excellent throughout the hour in midfield and Lucy Rabbitte and Grace Stapleton in attack.

While all six forwards shone for Nenagh Eire Og in the first half, their midfield and defence put in a trojan work in the second to help secure victory. Led by captain Ella O'Brien, others to impress included Rhiannon Jones, Lauren Grace, Carly Walsh and Tara McTiernan.

TEAMS - Nenagh Eire Og: Eleanor Boland; Niamh Boland, Rhiannon Jones, Lauren Grace, Ella O’Brien, Carly Walsh, Lilly Morris, Anna Ryan, Tara McTiernan, Sophie Hourigan, Grace Cleary, Anna O’Dwyer, Saoirse Ryan, Clodagh Spain, Sailí O’Connor.

Borris-Ileigh: Tara Maher; Tara Fitzgerald, Zara O’Donnell, Anna Meehan, Amy Maher, Eve Maher, Aoife Ryan, Ava Fanning, Abi Kelly, Isobel Treacy, Lucy Rabbitte, Aoife Ryan, Therese Groome, Grace Stapleton, Ella Groome.

Referee: Seamus Delaney (Templemore).