Camross make winning start to Intermediate title defence

Intermediate Camogie Championship Rd 2 

Camross 1-15 

The Harps 2-6 

REIGNING county champions Camross have gotten their 2026 Championship campaign off to a winning start after they recorded a six-point victory over The Harps at home on Tuesday evening.

Camross, who went on to win the Leinster and All-Ireland Club Championship in 2025, were not at their best, but they will not mind too much as they got the three points on the board.

The Harps came into the game on the back of a win over Naomh Eamonn and could have secured a semi-final place had they won, but it was not to be.

Eimear Murphy opened the scoring for the visitors after two minutes before Sarah Anne Fitzgerald replied for Camross from a free. The free was awarded on The Harps’ 45 after goalkeeper Niamh Dollard was fouled following a ball she struck up field, with the free taken from where it landed. Alanna Dwyer then denied Camross a goal with a fine save to keep out Kirsten Keenan.

Fitzgerald scored Camross’ second and third points too, with her third coming from a free after good pressure from Camross forced The Harps into overcarrying the sliotar. Camross’ lead was wiped out a minute later when Dollard saved from Catherine Kirby, but Eimear Fitzpatrick was quickest to react and made no mistake. The Harps then went two points clear thanks to a free from Murphy.

Another good goal chance came Camross’ way, but Aimee Collier was unable to find the target. Grainne Delaney raised her first of five white flags, but The Harps responded with two frees from Murphy.

With half-time approaching and The Harps leading by three, Camross made sure the sides would be level at the break as Erin Walsh played the ball to Collier, who smashed it past Dwyer. It was 1-4 apiece at half-time.

Camross got off to a great start in the second half by scoring four points in a row, with Fitzgerald and Delaney contributing two each. Dwyer was once again on top form to save twice, first from Fitzgerald before also denying Collier. The Harps were dealt a major blow when they lost Laois star Rachael Deegan to injury just four minutes after the restart.

Murphy finally got The Harps’ first score of the half when the second half was 16 minutes old. Delaney replied with her third score before The Harps cut Camross’ lead to just a point with 12 minutes remaining. The Kirbys combined as Sinead fed the ball to Lisa, who left Dollard with no chance in the Camross goal.

Camross showed their true champion credentials to move three points in front again thanks to two scores from Fitzgerald. Murphy replied with another free, but that was to be The Harps’ final score with eight minutes remaining.

The All-Ireland Club champions finished with a flourish and raised four more white flags. Fitzgerald scored three of them, two frees and a 45. Delaney then scored what could prove to be the point of the championship as she ran from her own 45 before splitting the posts to see Camross over the line by six points.

SCORERS:

Camross: Sarah Anne Fitzgerald 0-10 (0-5fs, 0-2 45s), Grainne Delaney 0-5, Aimee Collier 1-0.

The Harps: Eimear Murphy 0-6 (0-5fs), Eimear Fitzpatrick and Lisa Kirby 1-0 each.

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

Subs: Aoife Daly for L Daly (40m), Tara Lowry for Keenan (45m), Lara Culleton for L Delaney (54m), Fiona Scully for Cuddy (58m), Clare Fitzgerald for Walsh (62m).

THE HARPS: Alanna Dwyer; Muire Fitzpatrick, Rachael Bergin, Lorraine Bergin; Jennifer Cass, Jade Bergin, Alannah Brennan; Rachael Deegan, Amy Lacey; Eimear Murphy, Lisa Kirby, Sinead Kirby; Aoife Kirby, Catherine Kirby, Eimear Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Aoife Gee for Deegan (34m, inj), Orla Brophy for L Kirby (Temp, 54-57m).

Referee: Mick Cleere (Rathdowney/Errill)