Drom & Inch reign as champions ended by impressive Clonoulty Rossmore

FBD Insurance Senior Camogie Championship Semi-Final

Clonoulty Rossmore 0-17

Drom & Inch 2-8 

Clonoulty Rossmore secured their place in the FBD Insurance senior camogie final with a hard-fought victory over Drom-Inch. Cait Devane led the charge with an impressive 13 points, five of which came from play to finally get the better of Drom & Inch who had beaten them in the last four county finals. 

It was mixed fortunes for the sides before the game with Drom-Inch’s sharpshooter Eimear McGrath ruled out with an ACL tear sustained in their quarter-final win over Shannon Rovers. 

On the other hand, Clonoulty welcomed back Casey Hennessy who had missed some weeks due to injury. She went on to play a big part in the game and dominated in midfield for the team from West Tipp. 

There was little between the sides in the opening exchanges as from the get-go, a real physical battle between two sides who know each other so well ensued. Clonoulty led by two points at the quarter mark but a 19th-minute goal finished by Miriam Campion gave Drom the lead. 

Cait Devane was in excellent form from free and play and it was her first-half scoring along with two crucial points from Kellie Quirke which helped Clonoulty to a one-point lead at the break 1-6 to 10. 

Drom got their first score in the second half when Niamh Treacy goaled after 37 minutes. Cait responded with a free five minutes later before Drom scored two points in a row from Miriam Campion and Aoife McGrath in the 44th minute. 

Amazingly this was to be Drom’s last score as despite their best efforts they struggled to break down the Clonoulty defence or keep up with Clonoulty's relentless attack. 

On the other hand, Clonoulty finished the last quarter really well with five unanswered points including two late injury-time scores from Casey and Cait. 

Drom & Inch were well in this contest thanks to their two well-struck goals from Miriam Campion and Niamh Treacy, but Clonoulty's solid defense, led by Lorna Ryan and Clodagh Quirke greatly stifled the Drom attack. 

Kellie Quirke and Cora Hennessy made significant contributions for the winners, with Eimear Bourke and Sarah Fryday always posing a threat in the forward line. Maureen Ryan and Aoife McGrath were best for Drom & Inch but it was not enough to overcome Clonoulty's determined efforts. 

It was a massive battle between two fierce rivals, with Clonoulty's resilience and determination seeing them through to a well-deserved victory. Clonoulty will now move on to the final, where they hope to continue their winning form and secure a first-ever FBD Insurance senior camogie title.

Clonoulty Rossmore: Teresa Burke; Lorna Ryan, Aoife Bourke, Moira Kinane; Courtney Ryan, Clodagh Quirke, Eimear Loughman; Casey Hennessy, Kellie Quirke (0-2); Sinead Ryan, Cora Hennessy, Kate Ferncombe; Cait Devane (0-13, 0-6f, 1-0 pen, 0-1 45), Sarah Fryday, Eimear Bourke (0-1). 

Drom & Inch: Caoimhe Bourke; Maria Connolly, Christina Brennan, Eimear Cahill; Aine Greed, Anne Eviston, Mairead Eviston; Niamh Treacy (1-1), Caroline Shanahan; Ciara Cahill, Maureen Ryan, Mary Burke; Niamh Long, Miriam Campion (1-1), Aoife McGrath (0-6, 0-5f).

Referee: Mike Ryan (Nenagh Éire Óg)