Tipp and Galway draw in All-Ireland minor A camogie final

Tipperary and Galway must do it all over again after late points from Mairead Burke and Carrie Dolan rescued the Tribeswomen in a thrilling All-Ireland minor A camogie final at Shinrone.

This was an intriguing contest and the 1-13 to 2-10 conclusion was probably the fairest result, given that there was clearly so little between the sides.

After 24 minutes, the score was 1-5 apiece and the teams had been level six times already.

It was 0-2 each when Sarah Spellman goaled for Galway, after good work by Dolan following goalkeeper Sarah Healy’s long clearance.

Tipp bounced back by rattling the net at the other end, thanks to Sinead Meagher’s delicate flick to divert the sliotar’s flight from Karen Kennedy’s free, but points from Dolan, Leanne Sweeney and Elisha Broderick put daylight between them for the first time, Galway leading 1-8 to 1-5 at the break.

The margin was still three when Tipperary found another gear and made what appeared to be the definitive burst.

Points from Grace O’Brien (who finished with six) and Keely Lenehan reduced the margin to the minimum before Orla O’Dwyer found the net and it was a two-point game entering injury time.

Galway showed their mettle though, as Burke and then Dolan, with her eighth point, ensured that a replay would be required to settle proceedings.

The minor B final took place at PJ Duke Park, Stradone and it was Down that came out on top in a tight affair against Roscommon by 1-6 to 0-6.

Armagh camogie is riding the crest of a wave at the moment, with the seniors participating in the Irish Daily Star League Division 3 final next week, and the minors claimed the C championship honours by 2-16 to 1-11 against Westmeath at the Inniskeen Grattans club.

Leanne Donnelly is one of a number of players that will be involved with the seniors and she showed why by plundering 2-2. Aimee Brennan weighed in with six points and Ciara Hill contributed five to winning tally.

Westmeath didn’t have the same spread of scorers and were heavily reliant on Alanis Corcoran, who scored eight points.

Meanwhile, a memorable day for camogie in Ulster finished with three teams from the province experiencing All-Ireland success, as Antrim came out on top against Derry in the B shield decider played at the grounds of the Sean O’Leary club in Newbridge.

Caoimhe Wright accumulated seven points and Niamh McKee four as the Saffrons proved too strong.