Lorrha go the extra mile to reach final

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Championship Semi-Finals

Lorrha 1-16

Gortnahoe/Glengoole 1-13

(After extra time)

Report & Photo by Rose Mannion in Puckane

In what can only be described as a marathon of a semi-final, Lorrha broke through after extra-extra time to reach the County Junior ‘A’ Camogie final after finally getting the better of Gortnahoe/Glengoole.

This game started at 7.30pm under lights on Saturday night with the final whistle sounding at 9.58pm, because of stoppages for injuries, 23 minutes the longest.

Sheer hunger from both teams to succeed brought the game to extra time, which was ten minutes aside, and then five minutes aside before a result could be found.

Two very evenly matched teams battled it out for a result with Gortnahoe first out of the traps registering two points through Kate Laffan and Grace Campion, in the opening eight minutes.

Lorrha were slow to start with Clodagh McIntyre’s point fifteen minutes in, settling the team. Both sides swapped points and at the end of the first half Lorrha trailed by one 0-5 to 0-4.

Megan O’Meara brought the sides level for the first time on the resumption and followed up with another point but when chief score-taker Celine Cleary dropped a free in the square where Gortnahoe keeper Aoife Lanigan attempted to block but the ball bounced into the net and Lorrha were on their way.

Two Gortnahoe players, Katie Dooley and Leah Bird, accidently collided, with Bird eventually having to be removed to hospital and the game held up for a considerable period.

In their first year in the grade, Gortnahoe swung straight back into action with Eimear Power pointing. Scores were swapped and with eight minutes remaining, Sophie Pembroke brought the sides level for the second time when she raced in and slapped the ball past Katie Kennedy.

Lorrha had a late chance to win the game when Clodagh McIntyre was fouled but Celine Cleary’s otherwise accuracy was off as the final whistle sounded which brought the game to extra time. Full time score: 1-8 each.

In extra time and with the wind picking up, Celine Cleary and Sophie Pembroke traded points, but Lorrha fired ahead through a Cleary free and when Elaine Hogan broke through for attempt on goal which Gortnahoe keeper Aoife Lanigan saved for a 45’ which Cleary converted. Eimear Power closed out the half with a point, but Lorrha lead by a point, 1-11 to 1-10.

The second period was fiercely competitive, but the Lorrha players were suffering with cramp and Sophie Pembroke brought the sides level with five minutes remaining and with both teams giving every ounce of energy, Katie Kennedy in Lorrha goal brought off some great saves. Hazel Reddin nudged Lorrha in front but Pembroke was back with a free to bring the sides level as the whistle sounded and both were locked at 1-12 apiece.

Going into a second out of extra time of five minutes aside, Lorrha were suffering badly with both injuries and cramping, however, they got the breaks and Clodagh McIntyre fired two points in the first period, and when the sides changed ends, Lorrha found another gear with Megan O’Meara pointing.

Gortnahoe were running out of time and needed a goal but that wasn’t to be as they managed only a point from Aoife Ryan. Clodagh McIntyre, heading straight for goal was hauled to the ground and Celine Cleary split the uprights for the final score of a long, long game.

Lorrha progress to the County Final against Holycross/Ballycahill which is expected to be played next Saturday and Gortnahoe/Glengoole can be very pleased at being part of a very competitive and entertaining county semi-final in their first year in Junior ‘A’ grade.

Player of the Match: Emma Kennedy (Lorrha).

Lorrha: Katie Kennedy, Michelle Maher, Aoife Brady, Marie Clare Fogarty, Siobhan Reddin, Caoimhe Kennedy, Lisa Duggan, Megan O’Meara (0-3), Emma Kennedy (0-1), Elaine Hogan, Clodagh McIntyre (0-3), Hazel Reddin (0-1), Aoife Hogan, Celine Cleary (1-8, 1-5f, 0-1 ’45), Mary Houlihan.

Subs: Sophie Houlihan for A Hogan; Grace Broderick for M Houlihan, Ceara Bergin for S Reddin.

Gortnahoe/Glengoole: Aoife Lanigan, Eimear Ryan, Annie Slattery, Eimear Nolan, Niamh Lannigan (0-1), Sophie Pembroke (1-4, 0-3f), Katie Dooley, Ciara Hogan, Helen Cleere, Kaylyn Burke, Grace Campion (0-2), Kate Laffan (0-1), Aine Power, Eimear Power (0-3), Leah Bird (0-1).

Subs: Therése Rochford for Bird (inj), Sarah Rochford for Burke, Aoife Ryan (0-1) for Laffan.

Referee: Jim Lees (Newport/Ballinahinch).