Delaney inspires Templemore to Shield success

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Minor ‘C’ Shield Final

Templemore 4-3

Moyle Rovers 2-7

In the first camogie club match of the new year on Monday, Templemore were crowned 2021 County Minor ‘C’ Shield winners after a highly entertaining game of camogie where the momentum swung back and forth between the sides.

Most will point to the four goals by Templemore’s Kate Delaney as being the difference between the two sides, but Moyle Rovers will surely also have regrets over their slow start which saw them trail 2-0 to 0-2 despite playing with the advantage of a strong wind.

Whatever quick words were spoken to them certainly worked as they emerged a different team outscoring Templemore in the second quarter 1-5 to 0-1 to lead at half time, 1-7 to 2-2.

Grainne O’Donnell excelled in the full-back line with her relieving clearances allowing Hazel Brennan to get free and pick off a great point on the run her second of the half. Ava Collins was brilliant all day from placed balls, and she added two scores in succession from a free and a 45 as Moyle Rovers started to exert lots of pressure on the Templemore defence.

A point from Ava Wall had the sides level in the 24th minute and a minute later she struck again this time for a goal and Moyle Rovers suddenly led by three points, 1-6 to 2-0. Another 45 from Ava Collins extended Moyle Rovers lead before Kate Delaney who was a constant thorn in the Moyle Rovers defence throughout the contest scored a crucial point on the stroke of half time to leave the score 2-1 to 1-7 in Moyle Rovers favour.

Three minutes into the second half and with Templemore now playing with the aid of the wind Kate Delaney struck for her hat-trick to the delight of the Templemore following.

Almost from the puckout Ava Wall had the ball in the back of the net for Moyle Rovers as both sides continued to entertain their supporters with an exciting free flowing game full of heart and determination.

Templemore were starting to grow in confidence with Katie Bourke, Aoife Shelly and Shona McBride all to the fore. An Aoife Shelly point left only two between the sides again at the second water-break.

With ten minutes left, another Templemore attack ended with Kate Delaney scoring a fourth goal after good work from Anna Finn to put her side back in the lead.

Moyle Rovers threw everything at the opposition in a bid to get a crucial score with Ava Collins and Sarah Luttrell all battling hard. The Templemore defence were equal to the task and the score Moyle Rovers so badly needed never materialised.

It was fitting the final score fell to Templemore’s Jill Johnston, a well-deserved point after playing an assist in so many others with some excellent fielding and brilliant runs throughout both halves.

Credit to both teams who were both down players due to covid and also had players who had recently recovered from Covid. They gave a fantastic display in cold and windy conditions that kept the supporters on their toes and fully entertained. It was certainly a good day’s work for Kate Delaney finishing with a memorable 4-1 to ensure victory for her side.

Player of the Match: Kate Delaney (Templemore)

Templemore: Caroline Cormack, Lucy Martin, Sarah Bergin, Katie Burke, Niamh Dunne, Aoife Bergin, Aoife Shelly (0-1), Molly Nevin, Ciara Kennedy, Shona McBride, Kate Delaney (4-1), Jill Johnston (0-1).

Subs: Anna Finn, Angela Gleeson, Ciara Walsh.

Moyle Rovers: Kaitlyn O’Regan, Tara McGrath, Aoibhe Browne, Rachel Cooke, Aoife Campion, Grainne O’Donnell, Triona Ryan, Ava Collins (0-4, 2f, 2 45s), Sarah Luttrell, Hazel Brennan (0-2), Aoife Bond, Ellie Franklin, Ava Wall (2-1).

Subs: Lauren Duggan, Amy McMorrow, Eimear McKeown, Eabha Dolan, Mia Cahalane, Shawna Mitten, Lauren Barlow, Aine Phelan, Lucy O’Brien.

Referee: Donal Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy)