Superb second-half surge sends Laois into Intermediate decider

Laois 1-17 

Kerry 2-7 

LAOIS and Kerry went head-to-head in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship semi-final at Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore, on a calm Saturday evening, with a place in the decider at stake. Kerry made the sharper start, but Laois responded impressively as an entertaining first half unfolded.

Laois produced a superb second-half comeback to overcome Kerry and book their place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship final, falling behind to first-half goals and conceding another major score just seconds after the restart, Laois showed tremendous composure and resilience, with Aimee Collier's deadly accuracy from placed balls laying the platform before Eimear Hassett's late goal sealed a deserved victory after an impressive team performance.

Kerry made the brighter start to the opening half, striking early for a goal when Amy O'Sullivan's effort broke kindly into the path of Jackie Horgan, who reacted quickest to finish to the net. Patrice Diggin quickly added a point before O'Sullivan and Diggin, from a placed ball, extended Kerry's early advantage.

Laois were slow to find their rhythm, registering three wides in the opening 10 minutes as they struggled to settle into the contest. However, they gradually grew into the game with Grainne Delaney opening their account before Kaylee O'Keeffe came close to finding the net, only to drive her effort wide.

The missed goal chance did little to dent Laois' confidence. O'Keeffe followed with a point before Aimee Collier and Grainne Delaney also found the target as the O’Moore ladies began to take control. Susie Delaney added another score before a well-worked move saw Jade Bergin pick out Kirsten Keenan, who unselfishly teed up Sarah Creagh to split the posts.

Diggin kept Kerry ticking over with another converted free, but Laois continued to build momentum. Collier converted a free before Clodagh Tynan capped an impressive spell with a superb long-range free from underneath the stand, leaving Laois firmly in contention at the interval after recovering well from Kerry's fast start.

Kerry made the perfect start to the second half, finding the net just 30 seconds after the restart when Kate Lynch rifled an unstoppable finish into the top corner to restore their advantage.

Laois responded through Catherine Kirby before Patrice Diggin and Aimee Collier traded placed balls, with Diggin converting two frees for Kerry and Collier replying in kind for Laois. As the half progressed, Collier's accuracy from dead balls proved crucial. The Laois sharpshooter converted four successive frees to bring her personal tally to seven points, six of them from placed balls, and edge her side in front for the first time.

With momentum firmly behind them, Laois pushed on as Sarah Creagh added her second point of the evening before Collier struck again from a 45. Kaylee O'Keeffe also raised a white flag as the Leinster champions stretched their lead.

Laois put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages when Grainne Delaney carved open the Kerry defence with a perfectly weighted pass for Eimear Hassett, who finished confidently to the net to seal a deserved victory and book Laois' place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship final where they will face Antrim after they defeat Meath in semifinal.

SCORERS:

Laois: Aimee Collier 0-8 (0-6fs, 0-1 45), Eimear Hasset 1-0, Sarah Creagh, Kaylee O’Keeffe, and Grainne Delaney 0-2 each, Catherine Kirby, Clodagh Tynan (f), and Susie Delaney 0-1 each.

Kerry: Patrice Diggin 0-5 (0-4fs), Jackie Horgan 1-1, Kate Lynch 1-0, Amy O’Sullivan 0-1.

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

Subs: Amy Lacey (The Harps) for Deegan (39m), Aisling O’Dea (St Brigid’s) for Kirby (50m), Eimear Hassett (St Brigid’s) for Keenan (57m).

KERRY: Aoife Fitzgerald; Rachel McCarthy, Sara Murphy, Michelle Costello; Aoife Behan, Niamh Leen, Ellen O’Donoghue; Patrice Diggin, Caoimhe Spilane; Laura Collins, Roisin Quinn, Ruth O’Connor; Kate Lynch, Jackie Horgan, Amy O’Sullivan.

Subs: Norette Casey for O’Connor (42m), AnneMarie Leen for Behan (49m), Shannon Collins for O’Sullivan (54m).

Referee: Karol Collins (Galway)