St Brigid’s produce storming finish to claim another crown

Camogie Intermediate Championship Final 

 St Brigid’s 2-14 

Camross 1-9 

THIS was the second meeting of the teams in finals in a three year period. St Brigid’s prevailed in a high scoring final two years ago and on last Saturday ran out convincing winners with a fine second half performance.

The opening half was closely contested. Eimear Hassett was immaculate from placed balls while, for Camross, Aimee Collier was equally accurate from limited possession.

St Brigid’s led 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes, then Camross won their first real break. A perfect passing movement between Kirsten Keenan and Andrea Scully saw a ball in front of Aimee Collier who, after a good run, hammered high into the St Brigid’s net.

Aishling O’Dea responded with a fine point and Eimear Hassett soon had the sides level. Eimear Hassett was causing problems for Camross and her deadly accuracy saw the Saints back in front after 22 minutes.

Camross hit back with three well taken points, first it was Aimee Collier from a free, then Lynda Keyes who had seen too earlier efforts drift wide but this time it went between the uprights, while in the closing minutes of the half Grainne Delaney brought the Camross total to 1-5 and St Brigid’s were on 0-6.

Neither side would have been overly pleased with their opening half performance and both made a change in personnel for the restart.

When the action resumed St Brigid’s were aided by a very slight breeze. As she did from the throw in the first half Eimear Hassett pointed from close range. At the other end Camross’ most industrious player, Grainne Delaney replied with a fine point. From a close in free, Aimee Collier extended the Camross lead to three points, the biggest margin between the sides.

St Brigid’s hit back in style. Points rained over from both corner forwards, Hassett and O’Dea. Then as Camross went on attack again Grainne Delaney made a brave run for goal but her attempt was halted. St Brigid’s launched a high ball into the square and the referee indicated for a penalty. Eimear Hassett has done it all before and she calmly fired high into the keeper’s right. Suddenly the lead had changed again.

The same player then stood over a 45 and made no mistake again.

Camross won a free which Aimee Collier drove between the posts as the game entered the final quarter.

From there to the finish Camross were fighting fires. Eimear Hassett and Aishling O’Dea extended the Saints lead to three points, a six point turn around. With five minutes remaining substitute Amy Daly careered down the right wing and, when she was close to goal, she fired a great ball high into the Camross net.

That was safety net for St Brigid’s. Camross were awarded a few frees but attempts for goals were not successful. At the other end Jessie Quinlan and Aiva Coss picked of a pair of points.

Camross will be the first to admit they were beaten by a better outfit but both will remain future contenders.

Twenty years after they beat the Harps to win their first title, St Brigid’s were back in the winners enclosure. Grainne Hyland proudly accepted the winner’s trophy and the player of the match award went to a defender Amy Quinlan.

Two years ago these girls reached a provincial final but failed narrowly to James Stephens. Now they can be serious contenders again.

In an aside, the Camogie Board have often been criticised for organisation. On Saturday last in Laois Hire O’Moore Park they put on a show. They invited the St Joseph’s Accordion Band and the intermediate teams paraded like their male colleagues while a young lady did a powerful job on Amhrán na bhFiann. Well done to all concerned.

SCORERS:

St Brigid’s: Eimear Hassett 1-9 (0-6fs, 1-0 pen, 0-1 45), Amy Daly 1-0, Aishling O’Dea 0-2, Grainne Hyland, Aiva Coss and Jessie Quinlan 0-1 each.

Camross: Aimee Collier 1-4 (0-3fs), Grainne Delaney 0-2, Lynda Keyes, Andrea Scully and Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald (free) 0-1 each.

ST BRIGID’S: Laura Dunne; Danielle Healy, Amy Quinlan, Aoife Carroll; Roisin Kilmartin, Clodagh Tynan, Sarah Creagh; Laura Finlay, Jessie Quinlan; Tiegan Reilly, Aoife Finlay, Aiva Coss; Aishling O’Dea, Grainne Hyland, Eimear Hassett; Subs Amy Daly for Roisin Kilmartin H/T, Hannah Fitzpatrick for Laura Finlay 56m, Niamh Coss for Grainne Hyland 55m, Anne Marie Purcell for Aoife Finlay 56m, CAMROSS: Aedin Lowry; Fiona Scully, Ashling Burke, Aoife Burke; Aoife Collier, Sarah Ann Fitzgerald, Leah Daly; Clare Fitzgerald, Donagh Mortimer; Lynda Keyes, Andrea Scully, Grainne Delaney; Aimee Collier, Kirsten Keenan, Aoife Daly; Subs Erin Walsh for Clare Fitzgerald H/T, Tara Lowry for Lynda Keyes 50m, Ella Cuddy for Leah Daly 50m Referee: John Lalor (Shanahoe)