Limerick camogie notes
August 19, 2014
LIMERICK BOOK PLACE IN ALL-IRELAND FINAL IN CROKE PARK
Limerick 0-9 (0-3) Waterford 0-8 (0-6)
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Semi-Final
Saturday 16th August 1.45pm in Dr Cullen Park, Carlow
Limerick's Intermediate Camogie team booked their placed in the All-Ireland Final with a tense 0-9 to 0-8 win over Waterford in Carlow on Saturday. Limerick will now play Kilkenny in Croke Park on September 14th.
Waterford playing with a stiff breeze had the best of the opening exchanges and opened the scoring with a point from Cartiona McGlone on the 8 minutes. They added two further points in the next few minutes to open a three point lead. Waterford had set up with an effective defensive structure and their physicality was stifling Limerick's attacking threat.
Limerick finally opened their account on 18 minutes through a Niamh Mulcahy free. This served to settle some of Limerick's nerves as they began to adjust to the Waterford challenge. Waterford added a point from play from Lorraine Bray to restore the three point gap. However Limerick's increased pressure led to two frees both of which were converted by Niamh Mulcahy. Karen Kelly then added a free for Waterford to leave the score at half-time Waterford 0-6 Limerick 0-3. It could have been worse for Limerick given Waterford's dominance and only an excellent save from Sile Moynihan prevented Waterford from adding a goal.
Limerick came out after the break looking to take of advantage of the breeze at their back and close the gap on Waterford. Niamh Mulcahy opened the second half account with another converted free on 4 minutes. This was followed on 10 minutes with Limerick's first point from play, which came from Aoife Sheehan who looked dangerous whenever she got ball. This closed the gap to a single score and was immediately followed by a Niamh Mulcahy point from play to level the game.
Limerick went ahead on the quarter hour mark through another Niamh Mulchay free. At this point manager Joe Quaid introduced some fresh legs with Sinéad McNamara coming in for Deirdre Fitzpatrick with Rebecca Delee moving to midfield and Sinead slotting in at half-back. This was followed shortly after by Dymphna O'Brien coming in for Mairead Fitzgerald.
Points from play from Niamh Mulcahy and Caoimhe Costelloe opened a three point gap for Limerick and they looked set for victory. However Limerick supporters were set for a nervy last 10 minutes as a Lorraine Bray point closed the gap to two. Waterford went looking for a goal and only some last ditch defending prevented the Waterford forwards breaking through. A Karen Kelly free reduced the gap to the minimum and increased the pressure on Limerick. However the final whistle went to the relief of the Limerick team, management and supporters and Limerick secured a September 14th date in Croke Park with Kilkenny who comprehensively beat Kildare by 1-16 to 0-7.
This was not by any stretch the best Limerick performance of the season and both management and team know they have much more to give. But they have achieved their season's objective and got back to Croke Park and will hope to go one step further than last year and bring home the All-Ireland title to Limerick.
Before that there is another All-Ireland final to be contested as Limerick's Junior team play Carlow in the Junior A Final in Moneygall on Sun 24th August. Heady times for Limerick Camogie.
Limerick Scorers: Niamh Mulcahy 0-7 (5F), Caoimhe Costelloe, Aoife Sheehan 0-1 each
Waterford Scorers: Karen Kelly 0-4 (4F), Lorraine Bray 0-2, Catriona McGlone, Patricia Jackman 0-1 each.
Team: 1 Sile Moynihan Ahane, 2 Fiona Hickey Granagh Ballingarry Capt, 3 Michelle Casey Killeedy, 4 Judith Mulcahy Ahane, 21 Karen O'Leary Newcastle West, 6 Sarah Carey Granagh Ballingarry, 7 Claire Mulcahy Ahane, 17 Deirdre Fitzpatrick Killeedy, 9 Mary O'Callaghan Bruff, 8 Rebecca Delee Newcastle West, 11 Niamh Mulcahy Ahane, 10 Deborah Murphy Knockaderry, 12 Caoimhe Costelloe Adare, 14 Aoife Sheehan Granagh Ballingarry, 15 Mairead Fitzgerald Granagh Ballingarry
Subs: 5 Sinead McNamara Na Piarsaigh for Deirdre Fitzpatrick (45mins), 18 Dymphna O'Brien Killeedy for Mairead Fitzpatrick (47mins)
Subs unused: 13 Lorraine McCarthy Bruff, 16 Laura O'Neill Na Piarsaigh, 19 Katie Campbell Na Piarsaigh, 20 Niamh Ryan Bruff, 22 Sarah Collins Ballyagran, 23 Aoife Wilson Na Piarsaigh, 24 Leanne Browne Newcastle West, 25 Donna Mulcahy Killeedy, 26 Noreen Barry Killeedy, 27 Marguerita McCarthy Ahane, 28 Katie Hennessey Ballyagran, 29 Jane Wilson Na Piarsaigh, 30 Tara Fitzgibbon Ballyagran
JUNIOR A ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW
Limerick v Carlow
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Junior A Camogie Final
Sunday 24th August at 2.30pm in Moneygall, Co Tipperary
Before the excitement of the Limerick Camogie's September date in Croke Park for the Intermediate All-Ireland clash with Kilkenny Limerick's Junior side have an All-Ireland Junior A Final meeting with Carlow on Sunday 24th in Moneygall at 2.30pm.
Ger Curtin's charges will be looking to achieve a league and championship double having won the Division 4 league title earlier in the year. Limerick have been consistent throughout league and championship losing only once to Kerry early in the league campaign. The squad has a great blend with experienced players such as captain Noreen Barry, vice-captain Caitrín De Bhál and Marguerite McCarthy alongside minor players like Donna Mulcahy, Katie Hennessey and goalkeeper Laura O'Neill. Limerick's strike force is led by Ballyagran's Sarah Collins who has scored an impressive 13-7 for Limerick so far this year.
Limerick's opponents Carlow have been an emerging side over the past few years and won the Junior B championship in 2012 and were Division 4 league champions in 2013. This last win meant they played all their league games this year against Premier Junior opposition and despite losing all their group games the experience of playing league at the higher grade will have stood to them. They beat Kerry and Dublin to top their championship group and showed great character to come back from being 2-4 to 0-2 down against Offaly in the semi-final to run out eventual winners by 5-15 to 3-8. Limerick will be under no illusions as to the challenge that faces them.
U10 teams from Ballybrown and Treaty Gaels will form a guard of honour for the teams coming on to the pitch and take part in the mini-games at half-time.
This will be Limerick's third final this year and with Croke Park to follow it would be great to see a big Limerick contingent make the short trip up the motorway to Moneygall to get behind this fantastic group of girls.
Limerick Squad: Laura O'Neill Na Piarsaigh, Leanne Browne Newcastle West, Noreen Barry KIlleedy Captain, Catriona Neville Croagh Kilfinny, Marguerita McCarthy Ahane, Lisa Scanlon Killeedy, Sarah Crotty Ahane, Katie Hennessy Ballyagran, Donna Mulcahy Killeedy, Muireann Creamer Cappamore, Caitrin de Bhal Feenagh Kilmeedy Vice Captain, Brid Hannon Croagh Kilfinny, Sarah Collins Ballyagran, Rebecca Noonan Granagh Ballingarry, Catherine Fitzgerald Adare, Tara Fitzgibbon Ballyagran, Neamh Curtin Ballybrown, Margaret Lynch Granagh Ballingarry, Emer Hickey Granagh Ballingarry, Shauna Tobin Newcastle West, Grace Lee Newcastle West, Mairead Clancy Ballybrown, Kristy Carroll Galbally, Sarah Shanahan Killeedy, Emma Quaid Croagh Kilfinny, Shannyn Sheahan Templeglantine, Marie Danagher Ballyagran, Orla Condon Knockaderry, Rosemarie Rea Ballyagran
Manager: Ger Curtin, Trainer: Adrian O'Sullivan, Selectors: Teresa Noonan, Joe Quaid, Patsy Hall, Liaison Officer: Mairi McMahon, First Aid: Emma Noonan, Phyiso: Sara Fitzgerald
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