Shannon Rovers relegated in dramatic finale by Cashel

CAMOGIE: Tipperary Senior Relegation Final

Cashel King Cormacs 1-12

Shannon Rovers 2-6

Report: Joe Scully at the Camogie Grounds, The Ragg

Cashel King Cormacs first win of the 2025 championship was a timely one, and in doing so sentenced Shannon Rovers to the Intermediate grade for 2026, following a three-point victory in this senior camogie relegation final on Sunday.

In what was a tight, tense affair, the commitment and heart from both sides cannot be questioned in what was a ferocious battle, which really came to life in the final five minutes, when Shannon Rovers goaled through Aine Slattery to level proceedings.

They were then awarded a penalty in the final minute, with Slattery standing over it, and with the whole ground going silent, and a pin could be heard as she stood up to take it, only to see her shot well saved by Cashel keeper Aoife O’Brien.

Cashel would go up the other end with Tipperary’s All-Star nominee Karin Blair showed her class by pointing, added to moments later with a classy finish from the evergreen Philly Fogarty, who when her team needed her showed that class really is permanent.

Then, following a fine team move, Grace Moloney who shone throughout, added the finishing touch to a fine team move to secure the victory, and her sides status as a senior outfit for another year.

There was penalty drama early in the game also when in the third minute Cashel corner forward Ciara Dwan was fouled while through on goal; Philly Fogarty hit the resultant penalty straight down the middle and into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Cashel extended their lead when Dwan pointed, after a strong run and quality finish.

Shannon Rovers got off the mark in the seventh minute through a Laura Leenane free, but straight from the puckout Cashel attacked and Grace Moloney pointed.

The Rovers would then hit a purple patch with Nicola Kelly pointing from out by the sideline, and then a monstrous free from halfway by Celine Guinan, before in the 15th minute Laura Leenane stood over a free 30 metres out and surprised the Cashel defence with a shot to the back of the net to put her side ahead 1-3 to 1-2.

The West Tipp outfit were level almost straight away through an Anna Fahie free, with Anna Harding responding from the puckout for the Rovers with a good finish from distance.

The lead was extended in the 18th minute when Laura Leenane added another free. Two minutes later, Anna Fahie had the gap back at one when she pointed a free.

This was the final score until the first minute of added time when Karin Blair levelled with a fine score, with Rovers going straight back up the pitch and retaking the lead with a superb effort by Aine Slattery from out by the sideline.

Cashel would still have time to respond through Grace Moloney who pointed under pressure to leave the sides level at 1-6 apiece at the break.

The second half was a bit of a slow burner, with Cashel slowly getting on top and the opening score didn’t come until the 45th minute, and it was Moloney again with the finish.

Two minutes later, Philly Fogarty showed why she is a former two-time All-Star with a brilliant score, after superb turn and finish. She added a free in the 54th minute to put her side three ahead.

Despite losing Laura Leenane to injury, Shannon Rovers were far from finished and a minute later were level, when Aine Slattery buried the ball to the back of the net following an advantage.

They were then awarded a penalty in the final minute, but Aine Slattery’s effort was saved and with it the game swung in Cashel’s favour as they went onto score three winning points.

Player of the Match: Grace Moloney (Cashel King Cormacs).

Cashel King Cormacs: Aoife O’Brien (7); Ella O’Dwyer (7), Sorcha Ryan (8), Laura Connolly (7); Amy Crosse (7), Lily Fahie (6), Rebecca Delahunty (6); Anna Fahie (0-2f, 6), Karin Blair (0-2, 8); Aine O’Dwyer (6), Grace Moloney (0-4, 8), Nicole Shelly (6); Philly Fogarty (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-1f) 8), Katelyn Downey (6), Ciara Dwan (0-1, 7).

Subs: Emer Dwan (7) for Downey (HT); Lisa Blair (6) for Delahunty (42); Emma Bonnar (NR) for Crosse (60).

Shannon Rovers: Rita Burke (7); Aime Cleary (6), Frances Bugler (7), Stephanie O’Sullivan (7); Emma Costello (6), Celine Guinan (0-1f, 8), Niamh Franks (7); Anna Harding (0-1, 7), Aoife McLoughney (6); Aine Slattery (1-1, 8), Eimear Fogarty (6), Gillian McKenna (6); Rachel Hannigan (7), Laura Leenane (1-2f, 8), Nicola Kelly (0-1, 6).

Subs: Makenzie Simmons Loughnane (6) for Kelly (44), Emma D’Arcy (6) for McLoughney (47); Clodagh Davis (6) for Harding (51); Kelly Watson (6) for Leenane (51 inj).

Referee: Johnny Dooley (Thurles Gaels).