Treacy goal decisive in Moneygall win

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Championship Semi-Finals

Moneygall 1-8

Newport/Ballinahinch 0-9

Report: Joe Scully at the Camogie Grounds

Moneygall qualified for the Tipperary Intermediate Camogie Final after coming through a titanic battle against Newport/Ballinahinch in the semi-final on Saturday afternoon.

A goal from corner forward Caitlyn Treacy midway through the first half proved to be crucial as the border outfit avenged their group stage defeat at the hands of Newport/Ballinahinch.

While the game might not have been of the highest quality, it was very hard-fought with both sides showing tremendous heart and fighting spirit throughout, and any score that did come was hard earned, with the outcome in doubt right up to the final whistle.

It was a very stop-start game, with referee Sean Everard having to stop play on several occasions to throw the ball in and also with players from both sides going down injured, which took from the game a bit.

Newport/Ballinahinch will look back on the game knowing they had chances to win, most notably in the 55th minute when Emma Flanagan had a glorious chance for a goal, but her shot was well saved by Eimear Ryan in the goal, but really it was a chance that she should have been taking and it would have put her side two points up with just five minutes to play.

Moneygall probably just about deserved their win as they lead the whole game, and their defence was immense being marshalled superbly by Mary Ryan who was outstanding.

The victors opened up a two-point lead after five minutes through two points from play by Emma Costello. Newport would be level by the eleventh minute as first Grace O’Toole pointed from play which was followed up by an Emma Flanagan effort.

Moneygall then got in for the only goal of the game four minutes later, when after a saved, solo run from Emma D’Arcy, who caused problems all day with her pace, whose shot was saved and the rebound fell to Treacy who found the back of the net, to put her side 1-2 to 0-2 up.

That would be the last score until the 23rd minute as both set of backs got on top until Newport hit their third point through a Saoirse McGrath free, and she would add another, the last score of the half to leave it at 1-2 to 0-4 to Moneygall at the break.

Both sides exchanges scores at the start of the second half with Treacy extending the lead with an effort from play, which was followed up by a McGrath free. Moneygall would hit the next three scores, two Treacy frees sandwiched between an Edwina king effort from play.

Newport/Ballinahinch replied with two scores from Emma Flanagan from play, and a free from Carey. Niamh Larkin was next to trouble the scorers with an effort from play to leave it at 1-07 to 0-7.

Emma Flanagan reduced the gap to just two but could have had a goal when her effort hit the crossbar and went over. Eimear Carey then had the gap down to just a single point with a smashing point from near halfway.

With the game now in the melting pot, Emma Flanagan had a great chance for a goal, but her effort was saved, with Moneygall going straight up the other end, winning a free which Treacy converted to put her side two up.

Newport/Ballinahinch would push for a goal, but Moneygall defended resolutely and held on to qualify for the final in their first year back at this grade after winning the junior ‘A’ title last year.

Player of the Match: Mary Ryan (Moneygall).

Moneygall: Eimear Ryan (7); Katie Hayes (7), Stephanie Kenny (8), Alice Maher (7); Mary Teehan (7), Mary Ryan (9), Shauna Kirwan (7); Orlaith Treacy (6), Edwina King (0-1, 7); Lauren Maher (8), Bronagh Kenneally (6), Ciara Maher (7); Caitlyn Treacy (1-4, 3f, 8), Niamh Larkin (0-1, 7), Emma Costello (0-2, 7).

Subs: Rachael Donovan (6) for O Treacy (HT); Maria Maher (NR) for A Maher (60).

Newport/Ballinahinch: Aoife Shinnors (6); Caoimhe McGrath (7), Aoife Mellerick (7), Robin Coffey (6); Chloe Quigley (6), Caroline Mullaney (8), Thea Curtain (6); Saoirse McGrath (0-5f, 8), Eimear Carey (6), Emma Flanagan (0-3, 8), Amy Quigley (6), Clara Collins (6), Ruth Allen (6), Grace O’Toole (0-1, 8), Sinead O’Riordan (6).

Subs: Clodagh Grimes (6) for Collins (35); Laura Parsons (6) for Curtain (49); Nadine Stokes (6) for E McGrath (49).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy).