Holders Drom off to winning start

County Camogie Championship Round-Up

Cl’oulty Rossmore0-10

Drom & Inch1-15

Holders Drom & Inch ran out eight point winners against Clonoulty/Rossmore in the first round of the Conty Senior Camogie Championship in Clonoulty on Saturday evening.

The defending champions greater scoring threat eventually wore down a physical and determined Clonoulty defence with Eimear McGrath’s 47th minute goal putting the result beyond doubt.

Despite wearing number 15 jersey, Tipp star Cait Devane was operating much further out the field and as a result Clonoulty lacked the scoring threat up front to really trouble a Drom side whose six backs were excellent throughout. Boasting three senior inter-county players in their half backline in Niamh Treacy, Mairead Eviston and Aoife McGrath, Clonoulty were always going to find scores hard to come by and relied heavily on Devane from frees (six). Only one other player got on the scoreboard, full-forward Eimear Bourke in the 53rd minute.

Cait Devane showed great skill in the first half executing a perfect sideline cut over the bar which is worth two points in camogie. Both sides exchanged points early on and the sides were level at four points apiece at the first water break.

By the half time Drom & Inch led by double scores with four unanswered points in the second quarter from Aoife McGrath (2), Niamh Treacy and Eimear McGrath leaving the half time score 0-8 to 0-4 in Drom’s favour.

Two points early in the second half from Cait Devane were cancelled out by Siobhan McGrath and Eimear McGrath and by the second water break the visitors were firmly in the driving seat leading 0-11 to 0-6.

Eimear McGrath was excellent from placed balls finishing with eight points but it was her goal in the 47th minute from play that was the crucial score of the game.

Clonoulty’s defence managed to keep many of Drom’s forwards at bay but then they had to contend with Aoife McGrath scoring three points from wing back along with Niamh Treacy on the opposite wing while substitute Joanne Ryan also pointed.

Thurles Sarsfields4-12

Eire Og Annacarty0-10

Thurles Sarsfields first game in the senior championship was an impressive one as they had fourteen points to spare over Eire Og Annacarty in Killinan on Saturday evening.

Annacarty took a two point lead in the opening ten minutes with Thurles Sarsfields showing some early nerves as they began their first senior championship campaign.

Karen Kennedy, who started at centre forward, soon pointed and then set up Nicola Loughnane for a goal which really settled the home team and they soon got into their stride playing some excellent camogie that saw them capture the intermediate title last year.

Kennedy switched to midfield where she partnered Ciara Cummins while Sarah McKevitt switched to the half forward line and was instrumental in setting up scores.

At half time Thurles Sarsfields led 2-5 to 0-8. For Annacarty Jean Kelly was excellent throughout and along with Siobhan O’Neill kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Thurles Sarsfields found another gear in the second half with Emma Carey outstanding in defence and Tipperary minor player Aoife O’Dwyer excellent in attack finishing with 2-1.

Annacarty despite possessing a lot of pace in their inside forward line only managed two points in the second half. Twice they broke through the Thurles defence for goal chances but on both occasions Katie McCormack was equal to the threat.

At the other end Thurles were much more clinical and took their goal chances when they came with Karen Kennedy also raising a green flag.

After the nervy opening start once they settled they produced a more balanced team performance while also winning some of the key match ups. Siobhan O’Neill was excellent for the visitors but needed more support up front and in the end they were over reliant on scores from frees.

Intermediate Championship

Knockavilla Kickhans1-17

Kilruane McDonaghs0-10

Knockavilla Kickhams hosted Kilruane on Saturday in Dundrum and recorded a ten-point win.

Kickhams got off to a better start with points from play and frees. County players Ereena Fryday and Emer Heffernan contributed most of the scores while Fryday also took her goal very well from play to leave the half time score at 1-8 to 0-4.

Kickhams continued to dominate in the second half, but with their backs having to work very hard particularly. Beth Ryan was very strong all through, as was Leonie Farrell and Holly Fitzgerald. Megan McCormack made some vital blocks late on. Niamh Slattery was very strong at midfield, covering a lot of ground from start to finish. Ellen Browne had a fine game throughout, contributing four points from play.

Borris-Ileigh3-13

Newport/Ballinahinch3-6

Borrisoleigh raced into a 1-5 to 0-2 at the first water break. A goal for Newport closed the gap to 1-7 to 1-3 before half time. Strong scoring from ‘Borris’ had them 3-11 to 2-5 ahead midway through the second half, securing a seven point win at full time with county star Nicole Walsh to the fore.

Shannon Rovers2-15

Cahir0-9

Shannon Rovers’ Aine Slattery, Sabrina Larkin, minors Emer Fogarty and Laura Linnane, were joined by Tipp Under 16 stars Celine Guinan and Niamh Franks to really strengthen their team compared to their league side.

They proved too strong for Cahir who were without Aishling Moloney and Ashling McCarthy but did have Tipperary senior Roisin Howard and minor Niamh Costigan returning to their ranks after county duty. Aoife Moloughney starred for the ‘Rovers’ scoring several points from play on her return from injury.