Clonoulty Rossmore forward power wins the Senior League Final over west rivals

FBD Insurance Senior Camogie League Final

Clonoulty Rosmore 2-21

Eire Og Annacarty 2-7

Clonoulty Rossmore were crowned Senior League champions on Friday evening after a comprehensive victory over Eire Og Annacarty. Clonoulty were favourites heading into this game having put up big scores in an impressive unbeaten run en route to the final. 

They brought this good form into Friday's final, took control of this game in the early stages, and never looked like getting a bet. Ciara Slattery opened the scoring for Annacarty after just two minutes but Cora Hennessy who gave an excellent display at centre forward responded with her first score. 

Rosanna O’Donnell had Annacarty’s second score again from play before Clonoulty opened up a three-point lead with points from Eimear Bourke and a Cora Hennessy free. Clonoulty were starting to get on top and Annacarty were struggling to break down a very strong Clonoulty half-backline of Katie Murphy, Courtney Ryan and Aoife Bourke.

At the quarter-hour mark, Eibhlis McDonald managed to find a gap in the Clonoulty defence and broke through at speed to fire home the first goal of the game. However, the scores continued to come that bit easier for Clonoulty with some lovely movement and link play in the forwards resulting in points for Kate Ryan, Kayleigh Daven and Cora Hennessy. 

Cora Heffernan made sure Annacarty kept in touch with points from play and frees, but every time James Heffernan’s side attacked, the umpires reached for a white flag. Kate Ferncombe, Eimear Bourke and  Cora Hennessy were all on target. Clonoulty had created a few early goal chances in the half but Aoife Butler kept the goals at bay. 

That was until the 32nd minute when Kate Ryan went on a powerful run before passing to Kayleigh Daven and she made no mistake with her strike. A goal just on the stroke of half-time was a killer blow for Eire Og and suddenly they trailed by nine points heading to the dressing rooms 1-13 to 1-4. 

While Annacarty upped the intensity and physicality in the second half in defence Clonoulty’s fitness and pace were really telling. They continued to attack at speed and fire over some lovely points. 

Eimear Bourke, Kate Ryan, Kayleigh Davern and Cora Hennessy were a huge handful throughout for the Annacarty defence. At the opposite end, Annacarty didn’t have the same scoring threat and all their second-half scores came from frees including a goal from Cora Hefferan after 53 minutes. 

By then Clonoulty had already gotten their second goal minutes later thanks to good play from substitute Noririn Forrestall. The game had fizzled long out as a contest as both sides ran on subs and the clock ticked down. Referee Philip Shanahan blew the full-time whistle and Clonoulty Rossmore were celebrating a brilliant 2-21 to 2-7 win. 

Clonoulty Rossmore: Anne Marie O’Connor; Orla Ryan, Moira Kinane, Michelle Slattery; Katie Murphy, Courtney Ryan, Aoife Bourke; Kellie Quirke, Sinead Ryan; Kate Ferncombe (0-2), Cora Hennessy (0-6, 0-4f), Avril Quirke; Kayleigh Davern (1-3), Eimear Bourke (0-7), Kate Ryan (0-3).

Subs used: Bernadette Ryan for Orla Ryan; Noirin Forrestall (1-0) for Cora Hennessy; Clodagh Ryan for Avril Quirke.

Eire Og Annacarty: Aoife Butler; Mary O’Dwyer, Caoimhe Brady, Sinead White; Sarah Burke, Orlaith Walsh, Clodagh Ryan; Ciannait Walsh, Elaine Kelly; Cora Heffernan (1-4, 1-3f), Eibhlis McDonald (1-0), Ciara Slattery (0-1); Nia O’Donovan, Roseanna O’Donnell (0-1), Rachel O’Dwyer.

Subs used: Laura Heffernan for Clodagh Ryan; Ella Cummins for Ide Mae Loughman; Miriam Butler (0-1f) for Cora Heffernan.