Moyle Rovers and Gortnahoe/Glengoole are all set for Junior B camogie final in Tipperary
Match will be played at The Ragg on Sunday
Moyle Rovers have qualified for their first adult championship final since 2008 and can look forward to this Sunday's FBD Insurance County Junior B Camogie Final against Gortnahoe/Glengoole at The Ragg at 4pm.
In 2008 they were beaten by Clonoulty/Rossmore and at half time in last week's county semi-final in Cahir they trailed Clonoulty/Rossmore by 0-6 to 0-1. They should have had further scores, as they enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to convert a number of chances.
Instead it was Clonoulty who started the brighter and with Kayleigh Davern in flying form they opened up a good lead.
Moyle Rovers came out in the second half a different team and began making some super runs down the field. Points from Ava
Collins and Ava Wall meant they began to eat into the Clonoulty lead, while some solid defending ensured that Clonoulty only managed three second half points.
The turning point of the game came in the last 10 minutes when Moyle Rovers were awarded a penalty, which Èabha Dolan rattled into the back of the net.
Clonoulty/Rossmore had one final chance with a free in the dying minutes of the game but it was stopped on the line by goalie Makayala O’Donnell.
And so at the final whistle it was Moyle Rovers celebrating a 1-8 to 0-9 point win and a place in this Sunday’s Junior B Final.
Their opponents on Sunday will be Gortnahoe/Glengoole, who will be competing in their first-ever adult championship final after they defeated Portroe 1-7 to 1-5 last Sunday evening.
It was a very tough, physical match from start to finish, with some great battles throughout between two teams that contested
this year’s league final earlier in the year, with Portroe the winners on that occasion.
Grace Campion got the opening point for Gortnahoe/Glengoole but this was soon cancelled out when a free from Portroe’s Tishy O’Halloran dipped under the crossbar to give Portroe the lead after 13 minutes.
Gortnahoe responded well and had the next three points in a row before a Tishy O’Halloran free tied the game 1-1 to 0-4 at half time.
Both teams scored a point apiece in the first few minutes of the second half before Gortnahoe’s Kate Laffan scored a cracking goal at the nine-minute mark for her team to take the lead, 1-5 to 1-2.
Portroe responded well with a great point from play from Rosie Staunton to leave just two points separating the teams. Both teams exchanged scores in a really close and tense second half.
Portroe cut Gortnahoe’s lead to a point with a Tishy O'Halloran free and a Sophia Madden point from play to leave it 1-6 to 1-5 after 23 minutes.
With the clock running down, Gortnahoe scored another point to lead 1-7 to 1-5 after 27 minutes. There were no further scores and Gortnahoe ran out winners by two points after an exciting game.
Both defences were very impressive, with Portroe’s half back line of Sarah Murphy, Tishy O' Halloran and Niamh Bray working well.
For Gortnahoe, Sophie Pembroke played a captain's role at centre back while Eimear Lanigan, Annie Slattery and Niamh Lanigan also excelled in defence.
Ciara Hogan and Ciara Gleeson were key to their success in the middle of the field while up front Grace Campion and Leah Bird stood out.