Goals prove key as Templemore edge to Minor Camogie glory
CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary 'C' 15s Championship Final
Templemore 2-12
Rockwell Rovers 0-12
Templemore were crowned County Minor ‘C’ Cup champions following an exciting final against Rockwell Rovers at the County Camogie Grounds on Monday evening.
There was very little to separate the sides for much of this absorbing contest, with both teams producing some excellent camogie in a game that remained finely balanced well into the second half.
Rockwell Rovers made the brighter start with Emily McGrath and Emma Flynn getting their opening scores to put their side two points ahead.
Templemore responded after six minutes when Aoibhe Burke opened their account, April Bourke then added another score before Katie Bergin also found the target to put Templemore 3-2 ahead.
Rockwell responded impressively, hitting three points in succession. Clíodhna Farrell landed two frees, while Emily McGrath added another from play to restore their advantage.
Katie Bergin, who was a constant threat in the Templemore attack throughout, reduced the deficit before Brid Delaney brought the sides level. Delaney was excellent from placed balls and from play and was a key figure for Templemore throughout.
At half-time, the sides could not be separated, with the scoreboard reading 0-5 apiece.
The intensity continued after the restart. Brid Delaney opened the second-half scoring with a point before April Burke grabbed her second point for Templemore. Clíodhna Farrell and Jenny Marnell exchanged scores as both sides continued to battle for supremacy.
Kate Nevin was beginning to exert a major influence from centre-back for Templemore, driving forward with possession and helping her side gain territory. At midfield, Breda Delaney was equally influential, while Rockwell continued to threaten whenever they moved forward.
Points from Kate Nevin, Clíodhna Farrell, Sophie Lonergan, and Brid Delaney followed as the teams continued to trade scores. After 45 minutes, Templemore held just a one-point advantage, 0-10 to 0-9, with the game still very much in the balance.
However, Templemore began to gain the upper hand. Their pressure finally paid off in the 52nd minute when Katie Bergin found the back of the net to give her side a crucial four-point advantage. It was a brilliantly worked move with Kate Nevin driving out of defence and finding Brid Delaney in midfield before she delivered the ball to Bergin.
Rockwell Rovers responded in excellent fashion with Annie Flynn and Sophie Lonergan adding points to keep their side firmly in contention.
Then came the decisive moment as Bergin struck for her second goal just four minutes later, giving Templemore a significant advantage.
Rockwell Rovers continued to push hard in search of a way back into the game, but Templemore's defence stood firm. Sinead Delaney was solid between the posts, making a number of important interventions. Annie Flynn added another point for Rockwell, but Templemore held out to secure a memorable victory.
It was an excellent final between two very evenly matched sides with neither willing to give an inch. Ultimately, Templemore's ability to find the two crucial goals proved decisive against a gallant Rockwell Rovers side who contributed to a fantastic final.
Player of the Match: Katie Bergin (Templemore).
Templemore: Sinead Delaney; Cait Bergin, Grace Corcoran, Sarah Martin; Jennifer Cormack, Kate Nevin (0-1), Nicole Buckley; Brid Delaney (0-3, 2f), Ellie Mai Walsh; Julie Grey, Katie Bergin (2-2), Jenny Marnell (0-1); April Bourke (0-1), Aoibhe Bourke (0-2), Roisin Percy.
Subs: Meave Tynan O’Connor for Martin; Sarah Bourke for Walsh; Sierra Hogan for Percy; Elsa Sheedy for Cormack.
Rockwell Rovers: Lucy Quinn; Addison Ryan, Kate Fogarty; Cara Cummins; Emma Flynn (0-1), Meabh Lonergan, Emma Durkin; Cliodhna Farrell (0-5f), Maeve Moloney; Emily McGrath (0-2), Catherine Fitzgerald, Annie Flynn (0-2); Shona Moloney, Grace O’Dwyer, Sophie Lonergan (0-2).
Sub: Jane Corcoran for Cummins.
Referee: PJ Nolan (Killea).