Laois finish strong to reach semi-final

All-Ireland Minor ‘A’ Shield semi-final

Laois 3-6 

Offaly 0-12 

LAOIS and Offaly minor camogie teams met at Borris-in-Ossory on Sunday. At stake was a place in the of this new competition, the All-Ireland Minor ‘A’ Shield semi-final.

Conditions were perfect for hurling and two skilful teams made good use of the conditions. Laois had seen off Carlow in the opening round and, although a bit slow to get going, they hurled well once they settled down.

Laois captain Aoife Kirby sent in a fine effort almost from the throw in. A strict referee punished Offaly for over-carrying but Laois finished wide. After both were guilty of wides it was Offaly who went in front, a well taken point by Kayla Lawlor in the sixth minute.

The game was ten minutes old when Laois were awarded a free and midfielder Erin Walsh sent over the equaliser.

Midway through the half Offaly went back in front. Niamh Sheehy converted a close in free but almost immediately the sides were level again when Walsh converted a second free from midfield. Laois went ahead when Kaylah O’Mara sent over a great point under pressure.

Laois were coming more into the game and full forward Lara Culleton struck and the ball sailed between the uprights. Karla Mannion pulled a point back with a fine strike from midfield.

Laois were now dominating and a great passing movement saw Aoibheann Stynes pick out the well placed Emma Jane Cuddy and she gave the keeper no chance.

Kaylah O’Mara and Niamh Sheehy traded points leaving Laois leading 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval and all still to play for.

Offaly came out full of determination and within a half-minute saw a great chance drift wide. The third quarter saw the Faithful completely dominate. First Niamh Sheehy pointed. Next up stepped Kate Pilkington and in a five minute period the Birr starlet added two points from frees and a third from play. Now Laois looked in real trouble.

The Offaly full forward and Niamh Sheehy added a brace of points and Laois trailed 1-5 to 0-10 approaching the final quarter.

Then a Laois clearance fell short but centre-back Ella Phelan recovered and fed team captain Aoife Kirby. From 40 metres out the Harps girl blasted past the keeper. Suddenly Laois were back in front, 2-5 to 0-10.

Almost immediately Offaly struck for a goal from Sarah O’Rourke but Laois keeper Grace Fox read it perfectly and cleared her lines.

The next score would be vital. Niamh Sheehy pointed for the Faithful but Laois had recovered and 13 minutes from time Laois overturned an Offaly attack and, like she did in the first half, Emma Jane Cuddy rattled the visitors’ net.

The next ten minutes were frantic. Offaly chased everything but the Laois defence were not for turning. Offaly hit two bad wides as did Laois as they clung to a two point advantage.

Offaly went for a three pointer as Laois won a free in middle of the park that went wide. With four minutes remaining Laois captain Aoife Kirby won possession and fired over the insurance score.

Laois have now reached a semi-final and are also qualified for a provincial final against Westmeath which might be played this coming weekend.

Great credit to both teams and mentors for a fine advertisement for under age camogie.

LAOIS: Grace Fox (St Lazerian’s); Emer Conroy (O’Moores), Julie Ann Bennett (O’Moores), Chloe Troy (Clonad Raheen Gaels); Sive O’Reilly, (the Harps), Ella Phelan (Naomh Eamon), Katie Lyons (Naomh Eamon); Erin Walsh (Camross), Aoife Kirby (the Harps); Amy Daly (St Brigid’s), Kaylah O’Mara (St Lazerian’s), Aoibheann Stynes (Banrion Gaels); Emma Jane Cuddy (Naomh Eamon), Lara Culleton (Camross), Ruby Doyle (Portlaoise).

Subs: Alison Curran (The Harps) for Lyons (45m), Annie Dunne (O’Moores) for Daly (54m).

OFFALY: Caoimhe Spain; Sadbh King, Sarah Costelloe, Saoirse Liffey; Jasmine Bennett, Aine Rigney, Niamh Daly; Ciara Walsh, Karla Mannion; Kate Pilkington, Grace Cleary, Kayla Lawlor; Isabella Gleeson, Sarah O’Rourke, Niamh Sheehy.

Referee: Simon Redmond (Dublin)