Shannon Rovers finally marry with Intermediate title glory

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Championship Final

Shannon Rovers 0-12

Moneygall 0-7

Report: Liam Hogan at the Camogie Grounds

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Aoife McLoughney (Shannon Rovers).

SCORERS – Shannon Rovers: Aoife McLoughney 0-9 (7 frees, 2 45s); Laura Leenane 0-2; Gillian McKenna 0-1.

Moneygall: Caitlyn Treacy 0-5 frees; Ciara Maher 0-2.

“Bridesmaids no more” were the words from Shannon Rovers’ victorious captain Aine Slattery on accepting the Carroll Cup after her side defeated Moneygall in an exciting County Intermediate Camogie Championship final on Sunday afternoon.

The meaning of those three words didn’t go amiss to the hundreds of Shannon Rovers supporters in front of her because this victory ended the unwanted stat of losing four intermediate finals in a row. Instead, they had won their third title at this level having previously been successful in 1996 and 2007 with the latest success giving Aoife McLoughney and Aisling McKenna their second county medals.

Both McKenna and McLoughney played huge roles in the win with McLoughney earning the official player of the match award when finishing top-scorer on nine points in an un-erring display of free-taking.

There were others too in the running for that honour including Aine Slattery, Julie Brennan, Niamh Franks, Celine Guinan and Gillian McKenna.

Moneygall, just back in the intermediate grade after their junior success last year, were well in the game until they lost their way in the final ten minutes. They had their chances when they held the momentum in the third quarter but were unable to get past a resolute Rovers defence who were too smart against a very skilful Moneygall team with every player comfortable on the ball. There was little more that Mary Ryan, Lauren Maher, and Ciara Maher could do.

Just like the group encounter between the sides where Rovers won by two points, this game was close all through with Rovers overcoming a slow start to take a 0-7 to 0-5 half time lead.

After Caitlyn Treacy and Aoife McLoughney traded frees inside the four minutes, Moneygall went two in front thanks to Caitlyn Treacy (free) and Ciara Maher from play by the sixth.

Moneygall continued to put pressure on Rovers, but goalkeeper Aine Slattery was equal to the best effort by full forward Niamh Larkin. Having survived the scare, the Rovers were soon level after Aoife McLoughney’s 45 was quickly followed by a Laura Leenane point from play in the ninth minute.

The end-to-end fare continued as Ciara Maher received a well-placed pass from Lauren Maher before the former had Moneygall in front, but the lead lasted no length as Aoife McLoughney had matters all-square in the 19th minute.

The next Moneygall puckout was short and Gillian McKenna swooped to bisect the posts giving the Rovers the lead for the first time before Caitlyn Treacy directed a free over the to bring parity for the fourth time at 0-5 each after 22 minutes.

Moneygall’s use of two sweepers kept the Rovers shy of scoring chances but the concession of a 45 saw Aoife McLoughney gave Rovers the lead in the 26th minute and four minutes later she added a free from close to the sideline to see Shannon Rovers lead 0-7 to 0-5 at half time.

The opening stages of the second half saw Moneygall take hold of the game with Caitlyn Tracy pointed free in the 32nd minute bringing them within one. They continued to press for more scores but a well-organised Rovers defence as well as a reliable goalkeeper meant it was the 42nd minute another Treacy free had them level once more.

At 0-7 each it was anybody’s game but bit by bit a fitter Rovers fifteen slowly gained momentum as Aoife McLoughney’s free gave her side the lead in the 48th minute.

Moneygall came back but good play by Eimear Fogarty and Celine Guinan cut off the supply lines and with defence turned into attack it was Laura Leenane who doubled Rovers lead with her second point.

It was all Shannon Rovers now and with five minutes left, Aoife McLoughney pushed the Rovers three in front and the champions in waiting continued to press on with McLoughney adding two more frees to see her side into a five point lead.

By then the game had entered additional time where one last attack from Moneygall almost yielded a goal but Aine Slattery cleared off the line to the sound of the final whistle as Shannon Rovers finally became a bride and will join the senior grade next year, not before they play in a Munster intermediate club final in late November.

TEAMS - Shannon Rovers: Aine Slattery (8); Aine Leenane (7), Julie Brennan (8), Aisling McKenna (7); Rachel Hannigan (6), Niamh Franks (8), Francis Bugler (7); Eimear Fogarty (7), Celine Guinan (8); Emma Darcy (6), Aine Cleary (6), Nicola Kelly (6); Laura Leenane (7), Aoife McLoughney (8), Gillian McKenna (8).

Sub: Stephanie O’Sullivan (7) for Hannigan (HT).

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

Referee: Michael Ryan (Nenagh Eire Og).