Cashel and Shannon Rovers head into quarters finals in contrasting manners

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Group 1 Round 5

Cashel King Cormacs 3-22

Shannon Rovers 0-2

Cashel King Cormacs recorded a comprehensive win over Shannon Rovers in what was both teams final game in group one of the County Senior Camogie Championship at Leahy Park on Saturday evening.

Both teams had already qualified for the quarter finals, so this match would decide which team would finish in third and fourth place.

The very first minute would provide a glimpse of what was to happen for the rest of the game with Irish international hockey player and Tipperary forward Caoimhe Perdue racing through on goal and firing a bullet shot towards the corner of Rita Burke's net. Somehow the former Tipperary senior goalie made a fantastic save to direct the ball out for a 45.

Incredibly Philly Fogarty's effort from the 45 was the first of four balls to strike the Shannon Rovers upright throughout the game, with three ending up in Cashel forwards hands, and subsequently the Rovers net including this one courtesy of Hannah Butler.

Cashel's former Tipperary senior star Fogarty ran riot for large periods of the first half, unmarkable scoring five points from play, two from placed balls, and also set up scores for her fellow forwards Ciara Dwan (2), and one each for Grace Moloney, Karin Blair, and Perdue all adding to the scoring chart, with the latter adding a second goal, resulting from a ball dropping down to her after hitting the upright.

Shannon Rovers’ only replies came from veteran former county player Aoife McLoughney who converted a free won herself, and a point from play from junior All Ireland winning goalkeeper Laura Leenane who was stationed at corner forward which left the half time scoreline at 2-13 to 0-2.

The second half continued in similar fashion with Caoimhe Perdue scoring 1-3 from play inside the first seven minutes, her goal coming after another effort for a point came down off the post. Unfortunately, she had to retire injured shortly afterwards.

Philly Fogarty then came to the fore again with another three points, one from a free. Hannah Butler, Karin Blair, and Anna Fahie also scored sublime points from play.

Cashel's power running, fitness, speed, team play, and overall ability and finishing was miles ahead of last year's intermediate champions Shannon Rovers.

Cashel's full forward line of Caoimhe Perdue, Philly Fogarty and Hannah Butler were outstanding all through scoring 3-16 between them in the hour.

County star and recent All Star nominee Karin Blair was immense in midfield with her surging runs forward causing endless problems for the Rovers and Sorcha Ryan at centre back was rock solid throughout with many accurate clearances.

Practically every Cashel player won their individual duel, but Rita Burke was outstanding in goal for the Rovers, bringing off many incredible saves and wing backs Eimear Fogarty and Emma Costello had some excellent moments.

Cashel now face Burgess/Duharra in their quarter final and if they can repeat this performance will go a long way to reaching a semi-final which is great progress after finishing last year in the relegation final.

Shannon Rovers have the daunting task of heading to Drom & Inch to play the five-in-a-row reigning county champions in their quarter final.

Player of the Match: Philly Fogarty (Cashel King Cormacs).

Cashel King Cormacs: Aoife O’Brien (7); Meave Ellie Ryan (7), Katelyn Downey (7), Ella O’Dwyer (7); Lily Fahie (8), Sorcha Ryan (8), Emer Dwan (8); Karin Blair (0-2, 9), Áine O’Dwyer (7), Grace Moloney (0-1, 7), Ciara Dwan (0-2, 8), Anna Fahie (0-1, 7); Caoimhe Perdue (2-4, 9), Philly Fogarty (0-11, 3f, 9), Hannah Butler (1-1, 8).

Subs used: Laura Connolly (6), Amy Cross (6), Anna O’Brien (6), Grace Flanagan (6).

Shannon Rovers: Rita Burke (9); Áine Cleary (6), Frances Bugler (6), Paula Hannigan (6); Emma Costello (8), Niamh Franks (6), Eimear Fogarty (8); Anna Harding (6), Clodagh Cahalan (7); Áine Slattery (6), Nicola Kelly (6), Celine Guinan (6); Laura Leenane (0-1, 6), Bethany Slattery (6), Aoife McLoughney (0-1f, 7).

Subs used: Emma D'Arcy (6), Rachel Hannigan (6), Gillian McKenna (6), Ava Young (7), Julie Brennan (6).

Referee: Nigel Carrigan (Ballybacon/Grange).