All roads lead to Croke Park as Camross have five points to spare over Killimor

AIB All-Ireland Camogie Intermediate Club Championship s/f 

Camross 2-11 

Killimor 0-12 

ON A biting cold Sunday afternoon in the neutral surrounds of Trim GAA Club, Camross of Laois and Killimor of Galway met in an eagerly anticipated AIB All-Ireland semi-final that promised every ounce of intensity the championship could offer. An afternoon where every ball was fought for, every score hard-earned, and where the road to Croke Park narrowed to just 60 minutes of camogie.

Camross wore the blue and white of Laois again due to a clash in colours with the opposition, but the alternative jersey seems to bring its own streak of luck at this point.

Supporters from both counties packed into the Trim grounds, stamping their feet for warmth while roaring encouragement at every turnover. The sides were neck and neck for the opening half with only Erin Walsh’s goal separating them at the break. But Camross hit the ground running on the restart and managed to pull off a super five-point victory in the end, meaning all roads now lead to Croke Park in two weeks’ time.

Camross got off to a flying start and put 1-1 on the board inside two minutes. Donnagh Mortimer found Sarah-Ann Fitzgerald with a long-range free, who set up Grainne Delaney to point the opening score. Kirsten Keenan then slipped a clever pass to Erin Walsh, who fired the ball to the back of the net with precision. The Galway champions replied with two scores on the trot, both from the ever-reliable Niamh Horan, a free followed by a 45.

Fitzgerald converted her first free of the contest while Annmarie Starr replied from play. Fitzgerald then fired over two more frees, pushing Camross four points ahead. Horan (free) and Grainne Delaney traded scores as the tempo increased, and both sets of forwards battled fiercely for space.

Delaney then fired over a superb score which awoke the Camross crowd’s voice after a few decisions had gone against them moments earlier. The opening half came to a close with two further frees from Horan, narrowing the gap to Walsh’s early goal, 1-6 to 0-6.

Fitzgerald opened the scoring for the second half with a point from a placed ball. Camross switched up another gear and hit a purple patch for the following 15 minutes, showing composure, discipline, and no shortage of style. Their defence tightened significantly, not allowing their opponents register a single score during that spell.

Grainne Delaney raised two white flags while Leah Daly got on the end of a scramble in the box and rattled the top of the Killimor net. Fitzgerald converted her fifth free to give Camross a ten-point cushion heading for the final quarter.

As expected, Killimor came right back at Camross and pointed the following four scores in a row. Eimear Porter pointed from play while Horan fired over three frees on the trot, leaving just the goals separating the sides and raising the tension around the ground.

In the 58th minute, Fitzgerald pointed her sixth and final free of the game, giving Camross vital breathing room heading into injury time.

Killimor needed goals as the game entered the final five minutes, but all they could find were two points from the hurls of Kate O’Sullivan and Emma Brady.

Camross could finally relax when the full whistle was heard, their heavy legs able at last to come to a stop as they now look ahead to a Croke Park date on Sunday 14 December.

Grainne Delaney picked up a well-deserved player of the match award, having contributed five fantastic scores from play and leading the line with immense bravery and composure.

SCORERS:

Camross: Sarah-Ann Fitzgerald 0-6 (fs), Grainne Delaney 0-5, Leah Daly and Erin Walsh 1-0 each.

Killimor: Niamh Horan 0-8 (0-7fs, 0-1 45), Eimear Porter, Kate O’Sullivan, Annmarie Starr and Emma Brody 0-1 each.

CAMROSS: Niamh Dollard; Mairead Burke, Aisling Burke, Fiona Scully; Aoife Collier, Donnagh Mortimer, Ella Cuddy; Luisne Delaney, Aimee Collier; Leah Daly, Grainne Delaney, Andrea Scully; Erin Walsh, Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald, Kirsten Keenan.

Subs: Sile Burke for Daly (50m), Tara Lowry for Keenan (53m).

KILLIMOR: Leah Horan; Sandra Brehony, Helen Quinn, Siobhan Byrne; Addyson Darcy, Roisin Starr, Makayla Malone; Caoimhe Sheil, Niamh Horan; Caoimhe Starr, Annmarie Starr, Kate O’Sullivan; Karen Brien, Annie Clarke, Eimear Porter.

Sub: Emma Brody for Byrne (44m).

Referee: Philip McDonald (Cavan)