Naas make it back-to-back senior camogie titles

Naas 1-14

Celbridge 1-8

A run of five unanswered points, along with a goal from Aoife McCarthy in the first half, went a long way to propelling Naas to victory over Celbridge in Sunday’s 2023 Brady Family Senior Camogie Championship decider at Conneff Park.

While Celbridge did twice take the lead in the early stages of this encounter through points from Annie Courtney and Susie

O’Carroll, they were reined back in on both occasions by the defending champions who edged in front for the first time after 12 minutes when Sara Carroll fired over the second of her three points on the day.

Celbridge went close to finding the net soon after Courtney had broken the deadlock when Niamh Mortell whipped a dangerous ball into the Naas goalmouth, but neither O’Carroll nor Gillian Keegan could see the ball over the line in all the confusion.

And once Naas took the lead, they refused to relinquish it, racing 0-6 to 0-2 in front as Aoife McDermott, Allie McGrath and Aoife Stynes all struck over the bar.

A great goal opportunity followed that surge when Sophie Browne sent Ailbhe Ryan through, but her wicked strike forced a brilliant stop out of Celbridge goalkeeper, Éimear Stirling.

Still Naas had to wait only a further four minutes before hitting the net and it came in the form of a superb 25-yard effort by McCarthy.

Niamh O’Connor did get the scoreboard ticking again for Celbridge with a point, and Émer Reilly did again ask questions of the Naas defence when her free dropped right under the crossbar, but goalkeeper, Roisin Roche produced a lovely clean take to avert the danger.

Leading 1-7 to 0-3 at the break, Naas drew first blood in the second period by way of another point from Carroll.

Susie O’Carroll responded in kind for Celbridge, who might well have found themselves in even more trouble had not Tara Doorey’s major been ruled out for over-carrying.

And instead it was Celbridge who served up the game’s next goal when Keegan rifled home after linking up with O’Carroll almost midway through the second half.

That reduced the deficit to four points, but Naas managed to steady the ship when they needed to most with Stynes converting a further two frees and Tara Bedford also serving up a late brace to push the gap back out to six as Naas secured their second straight county championship crown.

REACTION

Delighted with the performance of his players, Naas manager Damian McGrath said “We had a slow start, but we got back into the game.

“We fell a couple of points behind at the start. Nerves just seemed to play up a bit more than normal but I think that once we just found our groove, we were able to build on those points that we had.

“We controlled the game really from about 20 minutes in and remained competitive. I was very happy with the way they performed and how they managed the game in segments. And when we were on top, we made it pay by getting those scores that kept us at arm’s length from them.

“We’re delighted now. It’s a great day for the club.”

The manager added that for us to win it for the second year in a row is a great achievement, I’m very happy for Naas GAA and it’s a proud day for all the girls, after coaching them at underage and seeing them coming through to senior” he smiled.

NAAS: Roisin Roche, Aíne Mernagh, Aíne Conway, Kelly Perkins, Fahsai Nic Chonchradha, Anna Blake, Aoife McCarthy (1-1), Ailbhe Ryan (0-1), Tara Bedford (0-2), Sara Carroll (0-3), Aoife Stynes (0-3), Aoife McDermott (0-1), Allie McGrath (0-1), Tara Doorey (0-1), Sophie Browne (0-1). Subs:: Caoimhe Maher for McDermott (46 mins), Órlaith Delany for Doorey (51 mins) and Grainne Dowling for McCarthy (59 mins).

CELBRIDGE: Éimear Stirling, Claire O’Sullivan, Laoise Mimnagh, Neasa Ní Ógáin, Roísin Naughton, Émer Reilly (0-1), Meadbh O’Donovan, Annie Courtney (0-2), Grace Carragher, Niamh O’Connor (01), Niamh McInerney, Ella Copeland, Niamh Mortell, Susie O’Carroll (0-4), GillianKeegan (1-0). Subs: Hannah Finnerty for Copeland (20 mins), Teigan Brennan for O’Donovan (HT), Emily Mahon for McInerney (47 mins), Fionnuala Hughes for O’Connor (55 mins).

REFEREE: Ray Kelly.