Camross tee up Leinster semi-final date with Naas after defeating Westmeath's Clonkill

A strong second-half surge helped Camross book their place in the Leinster Intermediate Camogie Club Championship semi-finals after they overcame Westmeath side Clonkill in a hard-fought quarter-final on Sunday afternoon.

It was after the restart, with the breeze now at their backs, that Camross really asserted control. They outscored Clonkill by 1-7 to 0-7 in the second half, with sharpshooter Sarah Anne Fitzgerald leading the way. Fitzgerald finished the afternoon with a brilliant personal total of 2-8, while Andrea Scully also chipped in with a fine point.

A vital moment came on 42 minutes when goalkeeper Aedin Lowry made a superb save to deny Clonkill a goal that could have turned the game on its head. From there, Camross steadied themselves and saw out the contest to win by three points, 3-10 to 1-13.

Earlier, the Laois champions had shown impressive resolve to stay level at the break despite facing a strong wind in the opening half. Clonkill’s dangerwoman Megan Dowdall did most of the early damage, hitting 1-4 of her side’s 1-6 before the interval, with Rebecca Dunne adding two more points.

Camross, however, struck for two crucial goals into the teeth of the breeze. Sarah Anne Fitzgerald raised the first green flag, before Aimee Collier found the net on 21 minutes after excellent build-up play involving Leah Daly, Gráinne Delaney, and Fitzgerald herself. Collier also notched a point from play, while Fitzgerald added a free and one from open play to leave it level at half-time; Clonkill 1-6, Camross 2-3.

Clonkill continued to rely heavily on Dowdall after the break, as she hit six of their seven second-half points, the other coming from Chloe Galligan, but they couldn’t find the goal they needed to pull ahead.

In contrast, Camross showed greater depth and composure in front of goal. With Fitzgerald unerring from placed balls and the defence holding firm, they did enough to secure a deserved win and a spot in the provincial semi-finals.

Next up for the Laois champions is a home tie against Kildare’s Naas, who edged past Knockananna of Wicklow in a dramatic 45’ shoot-out after extra-time ended level. The semi-final is scheduled for Saturday, November 8, at 2pm in Camross GAA. On the other side of the draw, Na Fianna (Meath) and Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow) will contest the other semi-final.

SCORERS– Camross: Sarah Anne Fitzgerald 2-8 (1-6 frees), Aimee Collier 1-1, Andrea Scully 0-1. Clonkill: Megan Dowdall 1-10 (0-7 frees), Rebecca Dunne 0-2, Chloe Galligan 0-1.

CAMROSS: Aedin Lowry; Mairead Burke, Aisling Burke, Fiona Scully; Aoife Collier, Donnagh Mortimer, Ella Cuddy; Luisne Delaney, Aimee Collier; Leah Daly, Grainne Delaney, Andrea Scully; Erin Walsh, Sarah Anne Fitzgerald, Kirsten Keenan. Subs: Ava Guilfoyle for E Cuddy (39 mins), Tara Lowry for L Delaney (41 mins), Sile Burke for Daly (51 mins), Niamh Dollard for A Lowry (53 mins).

CLONKILL: Ella Murtagh; Ann Marie O’Reilly, Ellen Flanagan, Becca Croash; Alanna Coogan, Meabh Scally, Rosaleen Daly; Caoimhe Coogan, Aisling Egerton; Ciara Dolan, Claire Gaffney, Chloe Galligan; Rebecca Dunne, Niamh Keogh, Megan Dowdall. Subs: Evie Kilmurray for Egerton and Katie McDonnell for Keogh (Both 56 mins).

Referee: Jason Buckley (Dublin)

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