LIMERICK CROWNED MUNSTER CHAMPIONS FOR FIRST TIME 

Limerick 1-13 (1-10)  Cork 0-14 (0-8) 

Munster Senior Camogie Championship Final 

Saturday 23rd May in Charleville at 3pm 

Limerick won their first ever Munster Senior Camogie title on Saturday in Charleville defeating Cork 1-13 to 0-14 in an enthralling clash of the highest quality. Charleville has proven to be a happy hunting ground for Limerick teams in recent years as it was on this pitch that the 2014 minors won the All-Ireland Minor crown at the beginning of a memorable year for Limerick Camogie. That team provided eight of the starting line-up on Saturday with two others on the bench and this could be seen as the coming of age of that generation of players. 

As captain Niamh Mulcahy said in her acceptance speech after the game, Cork have been the benchmark for Camogie in Munster and nationwide in recent years and Limerick have spent the past few years getting to a place where they can defeat any of the bigger teams on their day. Last year's two victories over Cork in the League and the narrow defeat late in added time in the Munster decider laid the groundwork for this win. 

Limerick got off to the best possible start with a goal from Caoimhe Lyons inside the opening minute after Niamh Mulcahy found the corner-forward with low ball and Lyons cut inside from the left to strike high into the top right-hand corner of the Cork net. 

Cork responded with points from Gemma O'Connor and others but Niamh Mulcahy and Clíona Lane pointed for Limerick to give Limerick a 1-3 to 0-2 lead after five minutes. Cork then had a period of dominance and six points without reply unsettled Limerick and put the Rebels ahead 0-8 to 1-3. 

But Limerick showed great determination and came back in the second quarter. Cork's defence conceded frees as they struggled to cope with the pressure of Limerick's attacks and Niamh Mulcahy hit six in response from placed balls. Goalscorer Caoimhe Lyons had the final word of the half with a well taken point giving Limerick a five point lead at the break. 

The second half was a lower scoring affair and Cork struggled to break down the Limerick defence. Cork's scores were responded to by Niamh Mulcahy's frees and with five minutes to go Limerick still led by four points. Cork needed a goal but had to make do with a brace of points that included a sixth free for Orla Cotter. 

The final whistle blew to great celebration from an enthusiastic Limerick support. Captain Niamh Mulcahy, who was also named player of the match, accepted Limerick's first ever senior championship trophy from Munster Council Chairperson John Foley. 

It was a dramatic and historic win and just reward for the work that has been put into Limerick Camogie over the past few years. Manager John Tuohy has consistently noted that Limerick have proven their ability to defeat any of the top teams and that the task now is to do so consistently. So while I'm sure the victory was well celebrated, the championship is only a few weeks away with an opening round meeting with Offaly and a re-match with a wounded Cork to follow. Hopefully as in 2014 this is only the beginning 

 

Limerick Scorers: 

Niamh Mulcahy 0-11 (11f), Caoimhe Lyons 1-1, Clíona Lane 0-1 

Cork Scorers: 

Orla Cotter 0-7 (6f), Gemma O'Connor 0-2, Laura Treacy 0-2, Amy O'Connor 0-1, Lauren Homan 0-1, Katrina Mackey 0-1 

Limerick Team: 

Laura O'Neill (Na Piarsaigh), Sinéad McNamara (Na Piarsaigh), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Fiona Hickey (Granagh Ballingarry), Marian Quaid (Bruff), Sarah Carey (Granagh Ballingarry), Judith Mulcahy (Granagh Ballingarry), Karen O'Leary (Newcastle West), Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare), Deborah Murphy (Knockaderry), Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West), Niamh Mulcahy - captain (Ahane), Dearbhla Egan (Crecora), Clíona Lane (Adare), Caoimhe Lyons (Monaleen) 

Subs: 

Mairéad Fitzgerald (Granagh Ballingarry) For Dearbhla Egan, Lisa Leonard (Cappamore) for Clíona Lane 

 

Gael Linn Junior Inter-Provincials 

Mairead Clancy (Ballybrown), Néamh Curtin (Ballybrown), Caitriona Neville (Croagh Kilfinny), Elaine Kennedy (Newcastle West), Ellana Mulchay (Killeedy) and Donna Mulcahy (Killeedy) represented Limerick on the Munster team at the Gael Linn Junior Interprovincial Camogie competition at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown on Sunday. 

Munster were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Ulster 1-18 to 3-11 in what was by all accounts a cracker of a game.

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