Leinster Club Intermediate Camogie final awaits Camross as they fire six goals past Naas

Camross advanced to the AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Camogie Championship final after cruising to victory over Naas in Camross on Saturday afternoon.

It would be the forwards that usually hit the headlines after scoring an incredible six goals, but the Laois champions' defence was absolutely superb from start to finish. They made turnover after turnover and made Naas work so hard for each of the 12 points they registered.

Sarah Anne Fitzgerald and Kirsten Keenan were also top performers and hit a combined 3-5. It could have been a lot more, only for the brilliance of Naas goalie Roisin Roche, who pulled off several brilliant saves throughout the game.

It was Naas that opened the scoring with a point from Rebecca McDermott, who was their biggest threat throughout the game. Camross soon took over and hit four points in the space of four minutes with Andrea Scully, Kirsten Keenan, Sarah Anne Fitzgearld and Aimee Collier all getting on the scoresheet.

McDermott struck another free before Camross would hit the first goal of the game through Keenan, who made no mistake in finding the net to give her side a commanding lead early on. Naas' response was an impressive one as they reeled off three of their own scores through McDermott, Aoife Stynes and Caoimhe Maher to get themselves right back into the game.

Both sides traded points with Fitzgerald landing a free while Stynes would get her second of the game. The home side finished the half the stronger and rattled the net twice in as many minutes, with Erin Walsh getting the second, while Keenan grabbed her second to leave the scores at 3-5 to 0-6 in favour of Camross at half-time.

Camross started the second half fast and would take the game away from Naas within eight minutes of the restart. Grainne Delaney and Fitzgearld would add further points to increase their lead. Fitzgerald was then at her ruthless best, smashing in two brilliant goals in the space of a minute to finish the Kildare side off.

McDermott and Grainne Delaney traded points before Camross struck for their sixth goal of the day as Aimee Collier went on a run and evaded several defenders as she found the back of the net. Nass finished strong with the last four points through a brace from McDermott and Caoimhe Maher, but there was no stopping Camross as they ran out convincing winners.

They now advance to play Na Fianna of Meath in the final after they defeated Mount Leinster Rangers in the other semi-final. They’ll meet in SETU Carlow on Sunday, November 16, from 1pm.

SCORERS - Camross: Sarah Anne Fitzgerald 2-4 (0-4 frees), Kirsten Keenan 2-1, Aimee Collier 1-1, Erin Walsh 1-0, Grainne Delaney 0-2, Andrea Scully 0-1. Naas: Rebecca McDermott 0-7 (0-6 frees), Caoimhe Maher 0-3, Aoife Stynes 0-2

CAMROSS: Niamh Dollard; 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: Aoife Daly for Delaney (47 mins), Tara Lowry for Scully (51 mins), Sile Burke for Fitzgerald (54 mins)

NAAS: Roisin Roche; Aoife Keane, Aine Conway, Fahsai Ni Chonchradha; Kate Murphy, Niamh Hegarty, Aoife McCarthy; Orlaith Delaney, Sara Carroll; Aoife McDermott, Ciara Ryan, Aoife Stynes; Rebecca McDermott, Caoimhe Maher, Aoibhin Delaney. Subs: Millie Kelleher for McCarthy (43 mins), Sophie Hazzard for A Delaney (48 mins), Rachel Byrne for Ni Chonchradha (51 mins), Grainne Dowling for O Delaney (53 mins)

REFEREE: Gavin Donegan