The junior A Camogie team crossed another milestone today by qualifying for the club’s first-ever junior A league final in only the second year competing at this grade after a well-deserved four-point win over Cashel Camogie Club.
County Junior A Camogie League Semi-Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 1-8 Cashel Camogie Club 1-4
Nenagh started brightly with Holly O’Brien setting up her sister Grace with an almost telepathic pass for the opening point of the game in the second minute. Holly once again with a great ball found Alicia Hallinan who bore through on goal, but her stinging effort was well saved by the Cashel netminder.
In the fifth minute captain Ciara McGrath pointed after yet another superb pass from Holly.
Cashel opened their account with a point in the tenth minute before Alicia Hallinan found Holly O’Brien with a pass who, in turn, played in Grace O’Brien. Grace was fouled on the 21-yard line before popping over the resultant free to extend the Blues’ lead.
The hardworking Sarah O’Connor at full-forward set up Grace for another point which was responded to in kind by former All-Ireland winning captain Emily Hayden. In the 27th minute Rachel Spillane was fouled with Grace scoring the resultant free to leave the half-time score reading Nenagh Éire Óg 0-5 Cashel Camogie Club 0-2.
The half-time words of encouragement from joint-managers Kieran O’Brien and Noel Coffey had the desired effect almost straight from the throw-in. Louise Hickey raced straight through on goal before finding Sarah O’Connor with a great pass and the full-forward left the Cashel goalkeeper with no chance to give Nenagh a six-point advantage.
Three minutes later Grace O’Brien extended the lead with a pointed free. Shortly after Emily Hayden, who had been having a fascinating tussle with Rachel Maher, used all her experience to catch a high ball over the full-back’s head and headed straight for goal. She was pulled to the ground and referee Kieran Slattery had no option, but to extend his arms and award a penalty. Hayden took it and her superb effort was brilliantly saved by Sarah Quigley and Alanna Morris was fastest to react and clear the danger. This wasn’t to be the only time Quigley would thwart Hayden’s efforts.
At the midway stage Emer Ryan replaced the injured Saoirse Gleeson and shortly after Maeve Coffey, who was carrying a knock into the game, replaced Sarah O’Connor. Moments later Cashel had a goal of their own when Clodagh O’Gorman blasted past the helpless Quigley to give the west side hope.
Two minutes later though Alicia Hallinan pointed after great interplay between Louise Hickey and Holly O’Brien. In the 53rd minute Cashel won another 21-yard free and once again Quigley brilliantly stopped Emily Hayden’s shot.
After two great saves from Quigley, Hayden elected to point a ‘21 in the 57th minute and not take chances trying to beat the Nenagh netminder.
Leah Sheedy replaced Holly O’Brien and made an immediate impact scoring a fine point after a great pass from Hazel McAuliffe who just about shaded the player of the match accolade from centre-back, regularly intercepting the play and breaking up Cashel attacks.
Emily Hayden scored a great point in the 60th minute to finish the scoring to leave it at Nenagh Éire Óg 1-8 Cashel Camogie Club 1-4.
Nenagh Éire Óg: Sarah Quigley, Saoirse Gleeson, Rachel Maher, Kara Ryan-Mulqueen, Aileen Duggan, Hazel McAuliffe, Alanna Morris, Michelle Collins, Ciara McGrath (captain), Alicia Hallinan, Grace O’Brien, Rachel Spillane, Holly O’Brien, Sarah O’Connor, Louise Hickey. Subs: Emer Ryan for Gleeson, Maeve Coffey for O’Connor, Leah Sheedy for O’Brien.
Referee: Kieran Slattery (Knockavilla Kickhams).
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