Camross power past O’Moores to reach Intermediate final
Aimee Collier (Camross) breaking against O'Moore's in the Camogie Intermediate Championship semi-final at Rosenallis on Saturday Photo: Denis Byrne
CAMROSS booked their place in the Intermediate Championship camogie final with a convincing victory over O’Moores at Rosenallis GAA on Saturday afternoon.
O’Moores made the brighter start, with Amy Flanagan opening the scoring after just 15 seconds. Camross, however, were quick to settle after a nervy opening in which they registered three wides inside the first two minutes.
Once they found their rhythm, Camross took control. Lara Culleton created the opening for their first goal, setting up Kirsten Keenan, who made no mistake as she fired to the net.
Sarah Ann Fitzgerald then began to make her mark from placed balls, striking three points, including two from frees. Andrea Scully and Culleton also got on the scoresheet as Camross began to build a sizeable advantage.
O’Moores responded through Aoibhe Foyle and Becky Williams, with Williams converting frees, but Camross continued to find scores at the other end.
Aimee Collier added a point before Fitzgerald struck again after Collier caught a puck-out. Scully registered her second point, Collier added another, and Williams kept O’Moores ticking over from frees.
Keenan then added another point for Camross to leave them comfortably ahead at the interval, (1-11 to 0-5).
O’Moores began the second half with renewed intent, with Williams and Deirbhile C. Fennell narrowing the gap with early points.
Camross responded in style, however, with Fitzgerald firing over a free from her own 65’. Scully then produced a dropping shot which looked to be landing on the hurl of Keenan, but she just deceived the goalkeeper allowing Scullys shot sail into the top corner.
Camross were now firmly in command, and Collier added another goal after a superb run, finishing emphatically to stretch the lead further.
Williams converted two more frees for O’Moores, but Camross continued to threaten. Erin Walsh saw her shot blocked by Jenny McEvoy, before Keenan went for the rebound only for Hannah O’Connor to make an excellent save. Fitzgerald converted the resulting 45 to add another point.
The fourth Camross goal arrived soon afterwards, as Walsh picked out Keenan with a low, hard delivery and the forward finished to the net.
Keenan added two further points from frees, the latter proving to be Camross’ final score of the afternoon as O’Moores launched a late rally.
Lucy Conroy found Foyle for O’Moores’ first goal of the late surge, with Foyle and Lorna O’Sullivan adding points to give their side renewed hope.
With three minutes remaining, O’Moores struck for their second goal. Williams took a short free to Lucy Conroy, who fired the ball into the net but their efforts fell short as Camross had built a healthy lead.
Despite the late pressure, Camross held firm to secure their place in the intermediate final after an impressive all-round display.
Camross: Kirsten Keenan 2-3 (0-2fs), Sarah Ann Fitzgerald 0-8 (0-5fs, 0-1 45), Andrea Scully 1-2, Aimee Collier 1-1, Lara Culleton 0-1.
O’Moore’s: Becky Williams 0-6 (0-5fs), Aoibhe Foyle 1-2, Lucy Conroy 1-0, Amy Flanagan, Deribhle C Fennell and Lorna O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
Niamh Dollard; Mairead Burke, Aisling Burke, Fiona Scully; Aoife Collier, Donnagh Mortimer, Annabelle Ryan; Lusine Delaney, Aimee Collier; Lara Culleton, Grainne Delaney, Andrea Scully; Erin Walsh, Sarah Ann Fitzgerald, Kirsten Keenan.
Subs: Ava Guilfoyle for M Burke (44m), Ella Cuddy for Ryan (44m), Leah Daly for L Delaney (45m), Aedin Lowry for Dollard (45m), Aoife Daly for Collier (46m), Tara Lowry for G Delaney (46m), Clare Fitzgerald for A Scully (48m), Ava Hogan for S A Fitzgerald (50m).
: Hannah O’Connor; Julie Anne Bennett, Jenny McEvoy, Emer Conroy; Aoife Hyland, Ellen Conroy, Mary Hyland; Lucy Conroy, Sarah Hibbitts; Amy McKane, Becky Williams, Amy Flanagan; Deirbhile C Fennell, Aoibhe Foyle, Lorna O’Sullivan.
Subs: Aisling McEvoy for Hyland (21m), Sinead O’Brien for C Fennell (49m).
Anthony Stapleton (St Brigid’s).
