O’Keeffe strikes late as Laois edge Down in classic quarter-final

Glen Dimplex Camogie All-Ireland intermediate championship quarter-final 

Laois 1-14 

Down 3-6 

LAOIS and Down met at Inniskeen Grattans GAA on Saturday afternoon with a place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship semi-finals at stake. Having progressed through the group stages with impressive performances, Laois arrived in County Monaghan full of confidence.

While Laois will rue a series of missed goal opportunities throughout the contest, they showed real composure when it mattered most, taking the crucial late chance to secure a dramatic but deserving victory.

The O'Moore County opened the scoring when Aimee Collier split the posts from a free after Kaylee O'Keeffe was fouled. However, Down responded in emphatic fashion. Aimee McAleenan saw her initial effort brilliantly saved by Aedin Lowry, but the rebound fell kindly for the Down forward, who reacted quickest to fire to the net.

Laois quickly settled again as Collier saw a goal-bound effort brilliantly saved by Niamh O'Toole, but the resulting 45’ was confidently converted. The Laois captain then narrowly missed another goal opportunity before Gráinne Delaney produced a superb score, shrugging off a heavy challenge to split the posts.

Collier continued to punish Down from placed balls, converting a free after being fouled before adding another after referee Mike Ryan advanced the ball for dissent. McAleenan responded with an excellent long-range free for Down, but Kaylee O'Keeffe added a point from play before Collier rounded off the first-half scoring with another accurate free, leaving Laois with a deserved 0-7 to 1-2 advantage at the interval.

Down emerged after the restart with renewed purpose as Dearbhla Magee reduced the deficit before Aedín Lowry came to Laois' rescue with a superb save to deny Blánaid Savage and preserve her side's advantage.

Laois threatened to land a decisive blow when Kirsten Keenan picked out Aimee Collier, but the forward's goal-bound effort was brilliantly stopped by Niamh O'Toole. The missed opportunity failed to unsettle the O'Moore County, however, as Gráinne Delaney continued her impressive afternoon with her second point before Jade Bergin also found the target.

Magee replied for Down, but another excellent score from Gráinne Delaney restored Laois's three-point cushion heading into the final quarter. Susie Delaney then stretched the advantage further as Laois looked to be closing in on a semi-final berth.

Down refused to yield. Two accurately struck frees from Aimee McAleenan cut the gap before Collier, attempting to find the net, saw her effort sail over the crossbar for a point.

The momentum swung dramatically in the closing stages. Beth Fitzpatrick flicked the sliotar to the Laois net to leave the minimum between the sides before Clodagh Tynan steadied Laois with a magnificent free from inside her own 65-metre line.

Down then struck what looked to be the decisive blow in the 60th minute when Niamh McGrath's effort squeezed over the line via the inside of the post to edge the Mourne County two points in front.

Laois suffered a further setback when Aimee Collier was forced off with a serious-looking knee injury, but Tynan showed immense composure to convert the resulting free and keep her side within touching distance.

With time running out, Laois produced one final attack. Eimear Hassett delivered a superb ball across the face of goal, where Kaylee O'Keeffe arrived to fire emphatically to the net, dramatically swinging the contest back in Laois' favour.

Tempers flared in the final moments, with a member of the Down management shown a red card after a sideline incident involving Laois Manager Pat Collier, bringing a dramatic conclusion to a pulsating All-Ireland quarter-final.

Laois will now face Kerry in the All-Ireland Intermediate semifinal on Saturday 18 July.

SCORERS:

Laois: Aimee Collier 0-6 (0-4FS, 0-1 45), Kaylee O’Keeffe 1-1, Grainne Delaney 0-3, Clodagh Tynan 0-2 (fs), Susie Delaney and Jade Bergin 0-1 each.

Down: Aimee McAleenan 1-3 (0-3fs), Niamh McGrath and Beth Fitzpatrick 1-0 each, Dearhla Magee 0-2, and Blanaid Savage 0-1.

LAOIS: Aedin Lowry (Camross); Laura Finlay (St Brigid's), Aoife Finlay (St Brigid's), Karla Whelan (Naomh Eamonn); Rachael Deegan (The Harps), Clodagh Tynan (St Brigid's), Sarah Creagh (St Brigid's); Jade Bergin (The Harps), Catherine Kirby (The Harps); Kaylee O'Keeffe (St Lazarian's), Grainne Delaney (Camross), Lucy Conroy (O'Moore's); Kristen Keenan (Camross), Aimee Collier (Camross), Susie Delaney (Boherlahan-Dualla).

Subs: Eimear Hassett (St Brigid’s) for Keenan (57m), Aisling O’Dea (St Brigid’s) for Collier (62m).

DOWN: Niamh O’Toole; Aoife McDowell, Aimee Mallon, Clare McGilligan; Dearbhla Coleman, Aislinn Brown, Dearbhla Magee; Clara Cowan, Sophie McGrath; Aimee McAleenan, Niamh McConville, Niamh McGrath; Beth Fitzpatrick, Blanaid Savage, Deirbhile Savage.

Subs: Grace Cunningham for Brown (ht), Ciara Fitzsimons for McGrath (43m), Gerra McGrattan for Cowan (55m).

Referee: Mike Ryan (Tipperary)