Senior A
The Senior A Camogie Championship got underway at the weekend with a double header in Duggan Park on Friday evening. Mullagh and Sarsfields played out an entertaining 2-7 to 0-13 draw. Rachel Monaghan was the hero for Mullagh on the day, getting the crucial goal from a last minute free to equalise the game. Sarsfields will be wondering how they didn’t come away with the win after they dominated the vast majority of the game and led by 0-9 to 0-3 at half time. Siobhán McGrath was a constant threat for Sarsfields and also showed tremendous accuracy from placed balls. Her sister Orlaith was also impressive in attack, along with Sarah Spellman. Clodagh McGrath and Joanne Daly were dominant at midfield and defenders Laura Ward, Erica Leslie and particularly Maria Cooney were all impressive. Mullagh came back strongly in the second half with the likes of Sarah Dervan, Katie Manning, Rachel Monaghan and the very impressive Erica Coen driving them on. Coen’s goal three minutes into the second half brought Mullagh right back into the game. Aoife Donohue was a threat after moving into full forward and added two second half points. Sarsfields were dealt two major blows in the second half, with Orlaith McGrath picking up an injury after scoring her third point, while her sister Clodagh was forced off injured soon after. The gap remained at three points in the dying minutes when Liam Gordon awarded a 21-metre free to Mullagh and up stepped Monaghan to blast to the net and rescue a draw for her side. It was a brilliant score for Rachel Monaghan and for Mullagh, who showed the timeless value of not quitting until the final whistle.
In the second game at Duggan Park, defending champions Ardrahan were far too strong for a Cappataggle side for whom Caitríona Cormican was outstanding at centre back. Caoimhe Garvey, Michelle Skehill (before her very unfortunate injury), Katie Garvey and Amy Treacy also battled well for Cappy, but they were simply outclassed by their opponents on the day and fell to a twelve-point defeat. In a game which took a while to get going, Ardrahan led by five points at half time and pulled away impressively in the second half with wind advantage. Ava Lynskey was outstanding for Ardrahan, scoring 1-3 while also being involved in much of the play. Nicola Quinn also caught the eye with 1-2, including a great individual goal late in the game. Brenda Kerins, Aoife Lynskey and Cliodhna Walsh were also impressive up front. Shauna Healy, Siobhán Gardiner and Megan Carr performed well in a defence which was rarely threatened, while Andrea Mullins and Denise Diviney were strong in the middle third. It finished at Duggan Park; Ardrahan 2-10, Cappataggle 0-4.
Also in the Senior A Championship, St. Thomas’ picked up a valuable win over Davitt’s, on a score-line of 2-13 to 0-11 in Gorton on Sunday.
Senior B
In the first game of the Senior B double header in Tynagh on Saturday, Eyrecourt had an impressive win over a Niamh Kilkenny inspired Pearses. A close first half saw Eyrecourt take a 2-3 to 0-6 lead into half time, with Laura and Louise Loughnane getting the goals. Niamh Kilkenny led the Pearses resistance with all six of her teams first half points, including three from play. Eyrecourt dominated the second period, with Molly Burke having a big influence. Burke converted some crucial frees and added two points from play in the second half, while Laura Loughnane and Amanda Lynch also got excellent scores. Niamh Kilkenny continued to keep Pearses in the game with six second half points (four frees). It wasn’t enough however and Eyrecourt deservedly held on to win on a score line of 2-10 to 0-13. While Molly Burke and Laura Loughnane were outstanding, Eyrecourt also had strong performances from Aisling Downey, Olivia Mannion, Paula Kenny, Louise Loughnane and Molly Dunne, who was excellent at centre back. Pearses were simply too reliant on Niamh Kilkenny, who scored all bar one point of her team’s total. Teresa Loughnane, Tara Naughton, Aine Kelly and Orla Kilkennyalso performed well for Pearses on the day.
Athenry had a comprehensive victory over Killimor in the second game in Tynagh on Saturday, running out winners on a score line of 4-14 to 1-7. Sabina Rabbitte was the star of the day for Athenry, scoring 2-3 from full forward and tormenting the Killimor defence throughout the game. Leah Crotty’s goal put Athenry in the driving seat early on, with Jessica Gill showing great accuracy from placed balls during the first half. Niamh Horan and Maeve Muldoon responded with good scores for Killimor and Muldoon’s goal brought the sides level. However, Athenry finished the first half strongly scoring1-3, with Rabbitte’s first goal coming shortly before half time. Muldoon and Horan continued to lead the resistance for Killimor in the second half, but Athenry pulled away well with Jessica Gill finishing with an impressive 1-9 (1-7 frees). With the last puck of the game, she blasted a 21-metre free to the net to put the gloss on a very impressive victory. Katherine Glynn, Dervla Higgins, Niamh Keogh, Eimear Keane and Leah Crotty also performed strongly for Athenry. For Killimor, Eimear Porter, Aisling Brehony, Caoimhe Starr (second half), Emer Fahy and Anne Marie Starr battled hard, along with Niamh Horan and Maeve Muldoon.
In the final senior B game of the weekend, Oranmore/Maree came out on top against Craughwell in a goal fest in Gorton Sunday. Ten points separated the sides at full time, with Oranmore/Maree raising a staggering seven green flags. It finished in Gort on a score line of Oranmore/Maree 7-9, Craughwell 3-11.
