AIB All-Ireland Junior Camogie semi-final:

Brídíní Óga Glenravel (Antrim) 1-10 Adare (Limerick) 1-9

Pics by Aidan Ryan

Brídíní Óga Glenravel booked their place in the final of the All Ireland Junior Camogie Championship when they saw off the challenge of Limerick and Munster champions Adare in Sunday’s semi-final at Abbostown, Dublin.

On what was the biggest day in the club’s history so far,the girls from Glenravel produced their best display of the season, and they needed every ounce of it to get the better of an excellent Adare team, for whom centre half back Sophie O’Sullivan was superb.   Leading by a single point at half time (1-6 to 1-5) Brídíní Óga just kept their noses in front in the second half. The Munster champions drew level with just minutes left to play, but substitute Shauna McDonnell sealed the win for the Glenravel side with a great point at the end to book their place in the final again Wicklow and Leinster champions Knockananna in two weeks’ time.

Glenravel started well and went 0-3 to 0-1 ahead, two of the points coming from Sarah Fyfe, but a brilliant solo goal in the 10th minute from O’Sullivan rocked them back on their heels. The Antrim champions responded well and full forward Molly Woulahan maintained her goal scoring run when she found the back of the Adare net. With Laoisa McKenna moved back to pivot the defence, where she was flanked by Erin Coulter and Bronagh Laverty, the Ulster champions helped reduce O’Sullivan’s influence, though it took a top class save from goalkeeper Orla Donnelly in the dying minutes of the half to keep her side ahead at the break.

Sarah Fyfe grabbed her fourth point of the game early in the second half which gave the Glenravel girls a great boost. Costelloe and Lauren Ryan pulled Adare back level, and it stayed that way for over ten minutes before Eimhear McAleenan nosed Glenravel back in front with two pointed frees. Costello brought her team back on terms with a point from play, and one from a free, to bring her personal total to 1-6, and extra time looked a distinct possibility, until a neat little scooped pass from Sarah Fyfe put Shauna McDonnell clear and the the second half substitute sealed an historic win with a well taken point.  

Brídíní Óga Glenravel: O Donnelly, A Mulholland, M McKenna, J Woulahan, E Coulter 0-1, M Mulholland, B Laverty, L McKenna, K Laverty capt, E McAleenan 0-3 (frees), S Fyfe 0-4, V Edgar 0-1, A Traynor, M Woulahan 1-0, A Millar.

Subs: S McDonnell 0-1 for V Edgar (36), N McKay for a Millar (46), M Law for A Traynor (57)

Adare: E Walsh, E Butler, G McNamara, A Mullins, M Butler, S O’Callaghan capt 0-1, H Sweeney, C Dunne, L Ryan 0-1, M O’Halloran, C Costelloe 1-6 (0-3 frees), C Griffin, A Giltenane, P Giltenane, A Houlihan 0-1.

Subs: L Butler for A Giltenane (HT), A O’Halloran for M Butler (45), E Schafer for A Houlihan (48)

Referee: Brian Kearney

AIB All Ireland Senior Camogie Club final

Loughgiel 1-14 Sarsfield’s (Galway) 2-14

Loughgiel’s first appearance in an All-Ireland Club Camogie final ended in a 2-14 to 1-14 defeat by holders Sarsfields at Croke Park but the Shamrock’s gave it everything over a pulsating hours camogie and will inevitably reflect on the goals they conceded at the start of both halves as the reason for their ultimate downfall.

Siobhan McGrath’s early goal helped Galway side Sarsfield’s into a five-point lead after five minutes and at this stage of the game the big travelling Loughgiel support could have been forgiven for expecting the worse.

The Antrim and Ulster champions recovered from that terrible start and showed bags of courage, skill and determination and a goal from Caitrin Dobbin after 27 minutes saw them edge ahead before half-time before a late point from player of the match, Siobhan McGrath tied the contest at the halfway stage.

Things appeared to be swinging the way of the Shamrocks when Roisin McCormick, who was excellent throughout, edged them ahead from a pointed free on the restart but a Rachel Murray goal for the Galway girls after 7 minutes saw them take a lead they would not relinquish despite another battling comeback from Loughgiel.

The Shamrocks staged a second remarkable rally with Roisin McCormick leading the way with an exhibition of free taking as the Galway defence continued to concede frees in an effort to contain a rampant Loughgiel attack and with 9 minutes remaining it was all square for the 5^th time in the contest.

Two minutes later McCormick responded again to a Niamh McGrath point for Sarsfields to level matters again but it was Sarsfields who found that final spurt going down the home straight with Niamh McGrath, Siobhan McGrath and substitute Sarah Spellman edging them four in front.

McCormick made it a three point game with her side’s final score from another free in injury time to conclude the scoring but it was Sarsfields who saw out the contest to claim the Bill & Agnes Carroll Cup for the second time in this calendar year as Player of the final, Niamh McGrath stepped up to collect the trophy.

Disappointment for Charlie Dillon’s side but Loughgiel can take a lot of satisfaction and pride from this performance and for periods in both halves they were the better team but those early goals in each half ultimately cost them a first title but they will surely be back for another crack next year.

Loughgiel: E Boyle; C Campbell, K Lynn, C McKillop; M Lynn, U McNaughton, S Devlin; A Boyle, L Mcaughton; C Laverty, M McKillen, A Connolly; C Dobbin, R McCormick, A Lynn. Subs: K McKillop for Connolly (45); C Boyle for Campbell (50); C Higgins for Laverty (62).

Sarsfields: L Glynn; R Kelly, L Ward, K Gallagher; T Kenny, M Cooney, J Daly; C McGrath, N McGrath; K Donohoe, R Murray, C Kenny; S Corcoran, S McGrath, C Kelly. Subs: S Spellman for Cooney (inj 24); C McGrath for Kelly (62)’ C Cahalan for Corcoran (65).

Scorers:

Loughgiel: R McCormick 0-9 (9 fs); C Dobbin 1-1; A Lynn 0-2; L McNaughton, M McKillen 0-1 each.

Sarsfields: S McGrath 1-5 (5fs); R Murray 1-0; C Kelly 0-2; N McGrath 0-3 (1f); K Donohoe, S Corcoran, S Spellman 0-1 each.

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).

AIB All-Ireland Junior Camogie semi-final
Sunday 18th December 1pm in Abbottstown, Dublin
Brídíní Óga Glenravel (Antrim) v Adare (Limerick)

By John McIlwaine

It has taken a while, but all being well Sunday will see Bridini Oga Glenravel compete in their All Ireland Junior Camogie championship semi-final at Abbotstown, Dublin against Limerick and Munster champions Adare. The game was originally fixed for Edederry, Co Offaly, but when weather conditions ruled out the midlands venue it was moved to Mullingar. After watching Loughgiel and Down champions Clonduff win their games in nearby Westmeath there were doubts about whether the Glenravel game would go ahead, but it wasn’t until late on Saturday night that word of the cancellation came through.

This time, if the weather forecast is correct, there should be no problems, as the pitches at Abbotstown are among the best surfaces in the country. The Antrim champions face a formidable task though, for although no Limerick team have ever won an All Ireland Junior title, Adare gave an indication of just how strong they are when they travelled to London back in November and beat Tara Camogie Club, a team whose joint captain is former Loughgiel and Antrim star defender Laura Connolly.

Laura was one of the stars in that game, and when Tara went in level at half time in the game, they must have felt they were in with a good chance. However Adare took control in the second half and with centre back Sophie O’Callaghan in great form and Caoimhe Costello causing problems up front, they went on to win by 3-8 to 0-9 and secure that semi-final spot.

After beating Portglenone in the Antrim final back in October Bridini Oga had a four week break before facing An Riocht of Down in the Ulster semi-final. It was another few weeks before they were in action again, this time against Armagh champions Granemore in the Ulster final, which they came through again with flying colours. Their first round defeat to Steelstown of Derry in the Ulster Intermediate Football Championship has meant the last couple of months have left them with only the Camogie to concentrate on, and the hard work they put in has put them in good shape going into the biggest game in the club’s history.

No doubt they will find the going tough on Sunday, but team manager Rodney Kerr and his management team have instilled a great spirit in this team. In the likes of Laoise McKenna, Kirsty Laverty, Victoria Edgar, Eimhear McAleenan, Erin Coulter, Molly Woulahan and their own version of Lionel Messi, Aimee Traynor, they have players who can match anyone on their day.  Their task is a big one, but these girls will be ready for it, and let’s hope they can keep their fairytale story, which started against Cargin back in September, going for another week or two.

Loughgiel Camogs head off to Croke Park early tomorrow afternoon to take on Galway and reigning All Ireland champions Sarsfields.

Sarsfields are bidding to become the first club to do the back to back double of club titles, their hurlers completing that feat in 1993 and 1994.

If the Shamrock were to be successful they would join a unique band of clubs who have won both titles at senior level. Glen Rovers of Cork won the hurling in 1973 and ’77, while their Camogie title came in 1986. Athnery of Galway won senior Camogie in 1977, beating. Portglenone in the final, while the Galway side have also won three hurling titles, 1997, 2000 and 2001

Reigning champions Sarsfields are the other club to do it, and success for them on Saturday evening would set their club apart with back to back titles

Incidentally Rossa have won senior Camogie and Intermediate hurling as have St Lachtains of Freshord of Kilkenny.

 Loughgiel face a tough challenge if they are to join that special club, but they in confident mood heading to Dublin. The season has been very good for them, and their win over Slaughtneil provided a platform for them to advance. The win over Tipperary and Munster champions Drom & Inch last weekend has propelled them into new territory and they are just one step away from dreamland.

God speed them on their journey tomorrow and we all wish them and their neighbours Dunloy and Bridini Oga the best of luck this weekend.

Loughgiel Open Night

On Wednesday evening the Loughgiel club held an open night for their fans, starting at the floodlit ball-wall and then on down to the clubrooms for food and refreshments. Saffron Gael went along to grab a few photos