Laois Camogie side relegated as The Dubs prove too strong in Relegation decider

The Laois Intermediate Camogie side have been relegated to the Premier Junior grade following defeat to Dublin in today’s Relegation play-off.

This is Laois’ second successive relegation however they remained in the Intermediate grade due to the Camogie Association deciding that Laois would be too strong for the lower grade.

Dublin 1-15

Laois 1-7

It would be Laois who would raise the first white flag as Gemma Hoare spilt the posts in the opening minute. Dublin replied with two points of their own as Aoife Deegan and Meadhbh Hicks both scored from play.

Eimear Hassett then opened her tally for the contest as she slotted over a free to leave the sides level at two points apiece. Dublin hit the front soon after as they fired over three points unanswered. All three scores coming from the hurl of Grainne Skelton as she scored twice from frees and once from play.

Karla Whelan got another point for Laois as once again Dublin hit a patch of three scores without reply. Amy Carey, Hazel Austin and Skelton (free) pushing their side into a five-point lead as it approached halftime.

Laois were then given a golden opportunity to get a goal as Amy Flanagan was fouled in the square. Hassett stepped up to the spot and blasted the ball beyond Lauryn Campbell to give Laois a new lease of life just before the break. Andrea Scully made it a one point game with a white flag for Noel Brennan’s side. Hicks pointed her second of the contest for Dublin as they led 0-9 to 1-4 at the end of the first half.

Dublin took their scores in patches as they yet again raised three white flags without any Laois resistance. Skelton pointed two 45’s with Hicks also getting her third point of the game. Hassett (45’) and Joyce Atkinson traded scores as Laois knew that goals would be needed in order to get any result from the game.

Hassett took her tally to 1-2 as she pointed a 45’ for Laois. Eile Ni Cheallaigh and a free from Skelton pushed Dublin into a six-point lead as it looked like they had sewn up the result. Clodagh Tynan fired over a point for Laois as she moved from half-back into the square in the hope of getting a goal.

The last piece of action in the game saw Dublin raise a green flag as substitute Atkinson fired the ball into the Laois net to secure Dublin’s place in next year’s Intermediate Camogie Championship. For Laois, they’ll now hope that they actually get to play at the grade that they’re supposed to following relegation.