Camross crowned Leinster champions for the first time since 2001 as Keenan runs riot against Na Fianna

Camross and Na Fianna travelled to SETU Carlow on a sunny Sunday afternoon to compete for the Intermediate Leinster title. Na Fianna were beaten in this competition at home last year by Laois’ St Brigid’s, who Camross overcame in the Laois final this year.

Due to the clash in jerseys, both teams lined out in their county jerseys, Camross in blue and white while Na Fianna wore green and gold. Camross last won a Leinster title in 2001, and they put that drought to bed in SETU as they claimed a 12-point glory.

Camross got off to a flying start as Grainne Delaney fired to the bottom corner of the net after just four minutes. A second goal opportunity arose, but Kirsten Keenan was blocked, and the ball went out for a 45’, which Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald put between the posts.

A super team goal was worked next when Leah Daly found Erin Walsh, who set up Keenan to raise the green flag. Only six minutes later, Keenan fired to the net once again, this time with the assist from Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald then raised two white flags, one from a 45’.

The Meath Champions got their scoring underway in the 24th minute when Emma Regan split the posts. Andrea Scully replied for Camross when she went on a super run and tapped the ball over the bar. Aoife Carey pointed her sides second and the final score of the half from a 45’, leaving 11 points between the sides, 3-4 to 0-2.

Regan pointed the opening score of the second half, but Camross replied in style as Keenan got her hurl on the end of a high ball in and found the net to make it a hat-trick. Only three minutes later, Aimee Collier found Keenan with an incredible ball, which Keenan fired to the top of the net, making it four goals to her name.

Fitzgerald pointed from a placed ball while Brodie Kelly replied down the other end of the field. Fitzgerald raised another white flag while Na Fianna replied with 1-3 on the trot. The goal came courtesy of Brodie Kelly, while Aoife Carey, Regan and Cliodhna Ward all pointed from play, but that was all Na Fianna could find. Tara Lowry fired over the final score of the game before Liz Dempsey sounded the whistle, which saw Camross crowned Leinster Champions.

SCORERS — Camross: Kirsten Keenan 4-0, Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald 0-5 (0-2 45’ and 0-1 free), Grainne Delaney 1-0, Andrea Scully and Tara Lowry 0-1 each. Na Fianna: Brodie Kelly 1-1, Emma Regan 0-3, Aoife Carey 0-2 (0-1 free), Cliodhna Ward 0-1.

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: Tara Lowry for Daly (47 mins), Aoife Daly for Aimee Collier (51 mins), Ava Guilfoyle for L. Delaney (55 mins), Sile Burke for Cuddy (58 mins), Aedin Lowry for Dollard (59 mins), Sarah Cuddy for M. Burke (60 mins), and Chloe O’Riordan for A. Scully (61 mins).

NA FIANNA: Katie Mulvihill; Sophia Payne, Clare Coffey, Aisling Byrne; Niamh Mulvihill, Gracie Grehan, Eimear Fagan; Leah Devine, Aoife Carey; Brodie Kelly, Erin Leddy, Aedin Slattery; Brooke Flynn, Emma Regan, Katie Kelly. Subs: Anna Carey for Flynn (16 mins), Meabh Downey for Fagan (HT), Cliodhna Ward for K. Kelly (44 mins), Orlagh Ryan for N. Mulvihill and Isabelle Killoran for Byrne (Both 56 mins).

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)

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