Fitzgerald fires Camross to back-to-back Intermediate titles
Smiles all round at the final whistle Photo:
CAMROSS made it back-to-back Hyland Transport Intermediate Camogie Championship titles with a three-point victory over St Brigid’s in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.
Having completed a remarkable clean sweep of Laois, Leinster and All-Ireland honours last season, Camross continued their impressive run with a hard-earned win.
St Brigid’s were hoping to reclaim the intermediate crown, having last won the title in 2024 before going on to secure Leinster honours, but Camross proved too strong in the closing stages to maintain their place at the top of Laois.
Camross opened the scoring through Kirsten Keenan, while Lara Culleton came close to adding a goal, only for her effort to be saved by St Brigid’s goalkeeper Laura Dunne.
It took St Brigid’s nine minutes to get off the mark, with Aiva Coss converting a free. Clodagh Tynan followed with a point from a 45, before Niamh Sweeney added another to give St Brigid’s a boost.
Culleton responded with a point for Camross, but St Brigid’s soon found the net. Tynan’s free dropped into the danger area, where Coss got the decisive touch to send the ball across the line.
Aisling O’Dea extended St Brigid’s advantage with an excellent point, but Camross responded impressively through Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald. The forward found her range from placed balls, converting a free before adding a point from a 45 and three further frees to bring the sides level.
At half-time, the sides were all level at 1-4 to 0-7, leaving everything to play for in the second half.
St Brigid’s regained the lead through Jessie Quinlan after the restart, before Grainne Delaney replied for Camross. Coss added another point for St Brigid’s, but Camross soon struck for a crucial goal.
Aimee Collier delivered a low ball across the square, where Fitzgerald was on hand to finish to the net and swing the momentum back in Camross’ favour.
Delaney then produced an excellent delivery towards Keenan, but Dunne made a vital interception to prevent Camross from adding another goal.
Fitzgerald converted another free to extend Camross’ advantage, although St Brigid’s continued to fight back. Eimear Hassett pointed before Tynan converted a free to narrow the gap.
Collier added a point for Camross, while Fitzgerald brought her personal tally to 1-7 with another successful free.
St Brigid’s continued to search for a way back into the contest, but Camross held firm in the closing stages to secure a three-point victory and retain their intermediate championship crown.
Camross: Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald 1-7 (0-6fs), Kirsten Keenan, Lara Culleton, Grainne Delaney, and Aimee Collier 0-1 each.
St Brigid’s: Aiva Coss 1-2, Clodagh Tynan 0-2 (0-1f, 0-1 45’), Niamh Sweeney, Aisling O’Dea, Jessie Quinlan, and Eimear Hassett 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-Anne Fitzgerald, Kirsten Keenan.
Subs: Leah Daly for L. Delaney (41m), Ava Guilfoyle for M. Burke (51m), Tara Lowry for Walsh (54m), Aoife Daly for Collier (63m).
Laura Dunne; Laura Finlay, Amy Quinlan, Danielle Healy; Roisin Kilmartin, Clodagh Tynan, Sarah Creagh; Tiegan Reilly Bowe, Aoife Finlay; Grainne Hyland, Aisling O’Dea, Jessie Quinlan; Gemma Hoare, Niamh Sweeney, Aiva Coss.
Subs: Aoife Carroll for Reilly Bowe (44m), Eimear Hassett for O’Dea (48m).
JJ Gorman (Clough/Ballacolla)
