St Vincent's have far too much firepower for gallant Birr

ST VINCENT'S 3-13

BIRR 0-5

ST Vincent's powered their way to the AIB Leinster Club Senior Camogie final once again when they overpowered a gallant Birr side in the semi-final played at The Faithful Fields on Sunday.

The Dublin champions looked impressive as they took control of the game from an early stage and they never let Birr get back into the contest, despite the Offaly champions showing great fight right to the end.

From the outset St Vincent's looked to have a bit more sharpness and a greater physical presence than Birr and that helped them impose themselves on the game from an early stage. They were strong in defence, were able to pick out colleagues with slick passes and they took their scores very well.

Although Birr got the first score of the game, St Vincent's responded quickly and a goal in the seventh minute put them firmly in control as they opened an eight point lead with less than 10 minutes played. Birr stuck with them well for the rest of the half but Vincent's went on to lead by 1-10 to 0-3 at half time.

Birr showed plenty of endeavour in the opening 10 minutes of the second half but found it very difficult to break down the St Vincent's defence and when the Dublin side netted their second goal 11 minutes into the half, the game was over as a contest. Even though St Vincent's were restricted to just five scores in the second half, Birr just didn't have and firepower in their forward line to engineer a goal at any stage that might have given them some encouragement and it is the Dublin side which will advance to the provincial final once again where they will look to defend the title they won last year.

Birr had to line out without the injured Sarah Harding and she was a huge loss to the Offaly champions. So often the focal point for many of their attacks, they lacked that type of target player in the forward line and a solid St Vincent's defence was able to snuff out any threat posed by Birr.

From the outset St Vincent's looked sharp and they never let Birr settle on the ball. Birr gave away a number of early frees which Aisling Maher pointed and they quickly built up momentum. A goal after seven minutes added to the pressure on Birr and as they struggled to hold up the ball in the forward line, St Vincent's gradually added to their tally.

The Dublin side hit 1-5 inside the first 10 minutes and threatened to really run away with the game but credit to Birr, they knuckled down in the backline and cut out a number of dangerous situations with good hooking and blocking and reduced the opportunities for the Dublin forwards.

Birr continued to fight like that in the second half and as mentioned kept Vincent's to just five scores. Goalkeeper Caoimhe Kinsella pulled off some terrific saves to help keep the score down and although they were well behind, Birr showed plenty of spirit and worked hard to the final whistle.

The gulf between the sides was evident and the experience of Dublin sides playing at senior level was obvious, with Vincent's defending the crown that they won a year ago. This is just the second year that the Offaly champions have played at senior level following St Rynagh's double All-Ireland success at intermediate level, and it will take Offaly sides a bit longer to adapt to this level.

St Vincent's will now go on to the Leinster final and hope they can retain the provincial title they won last year. They were very strong in defence where Deirdre Johnston, Grainne Quinn and Aine Woods excelled. Muireann Kelleher was active around the middle of the field while in attack Aisling Maher led the way with Niamh Hetherton and Grace Gilroy providing strong support.

As mentioned goalkeeper Caoimhe Kinsella made some terrific saves, Sheila Sullivan, Hannah Feenane and Roisin Kinsella all did well in defence. Ellen Regan came more into the game in the second half but Birr really struggled in attack where none of the starting forwards managed to score from play.

Birr got the first score of the game when Mairead Jennings pointed a free after a minute but St Vincent's quickly replied with three frees in succession from Aisling Maher. The first goal of the game came after seven minutes when a dipping ball was batted out by Caoimhe Kinsella and Niamh Hetherton won the ball and fired to the net from the right hand side. Aisling Maher added points from play and a free and the score read 1-5 to 0-1 after just nine minutes of play.

Birr managed to steady things a bit but found it hard to get scores and a number of balls did drop short. They did get a point back when Mairead Jennings pointed a '45' after 15 minutes but Niamh Hetherton and Aisling Maher replied with points for St Vincent's. Caoimhe Kinsella did pull off a great save from a Niamh Hetherton shot as the rain begain to come down. Eight scoreless minutes passed before Grace Gilroy pointed for St Vincent's and the same player added two more points before Ellen Regan got the final score of the half for Birr with a well taken point from 45m and that left the half time score reading 1-10 to 0-3 in favour of St Vincent's.

Aisling Maher pointed another free in the third minute of the second half but Birr were battling well at this point and Ellen Regan pointed from 45m an Mairead Jennings pointed a 45m free nine minutes into the half but that proved to be their last score of the game.

Two minutes later after good work by Aisling Maher on the right, she passed the ball across the square and Niamh Hetherton pulled first time to the net. Both sides made substitutions and 10 minutes passed without a score before Aisling Maher worked her way in from the right and shot low to the net. She added a point from a free before Ava Lambe added the final point a minute from time to give the Dublin side a 17 point victory margin.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

ST VINCENT'S: Dara Cooke; Claire Clinton, Deirdre Johnston, Lora Smith; Grainne Quinn, Aine Woods, Ellen McGovern; Muireann Kelleher, Danielle Smith; Grace Gilroy, Aisling Maher, Niamh Hetherton; Ava Lambe, Ali McGuire, Anna Sullivan. Subs. Caoimhe Woods (for Niamh Hetherton, 44 mins), Isobel Maher (for Deirdre Johnston, 46 mins), Abby Farrell (for Ali McGuire, 51 mins), Tess Coyne (for Danielle Smith, 51 mins), Aoife Moore (for Ellen McGovern, 56 mins).

BIRR: Caoimhe Kinsella; Rebecca Ryan, Deirdre Cashen, Hannah Feenane; Sheila Sullivan, Alana Roddy, Roisin Kinsella; Ciara Ryan, Ellen Regan; Caithlin Kennedy, Orlagh Kirwan, Sorcha Tierney; Mairead Jennings, Faye Mulrooney, Kate Pilkington. Subs. Denise Connors (for Caithlin Kennedy, 47 mins), Eimear Mooney (for Mairead Jennings, 53 mins), Aoibhe Kennedy (for Faye Mulrooney, 56 mins), Laura Stokes (for Rebecca Ryan, 56 mins).

REFEREE: Barry Nea (Westmeath)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Aisling Maher was the standout player on the day in a very solid St Vincent's performance. She finished with a tally of 1-8, 1-2 from play, but she set up a number of the other scores as well and her all round work rate was very impressive.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

In a game where St Vincent's dominated it is hard to pinpoint one moment that was pivotal but their first goal after seven minutes put them well in the driving seat. The sides had scored points from frees early on as Vincent's were looking sharp and that goal gave them an early five point advantage and there was no real come back from that for Birr.

REFEREE WATCH

Barry Nea wasn't a factor in the outcome of the game. He handled everything well and was consistent in his rulings and there would be no quibble from anyone with his officiating.

WHAT’S NEXT

St Vincent's meet the winners of today's other semi-final between Dicksboro (Kilkenny) and St Martin's (Wexford) in the Leinster Final in two weeks time.

VENUE WATCH

Originally scheduled for St Brendan's Park, Birr, the game was switched on Saturday to The Faithful Fields. The pitch was in very good order considering how many other pitches have been cutting up after all the recent rain and held up very well, even when a heavy first half shower poured down. The Birr club had plenty of stewards on duty directing traffic and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

STATISTICS

Wides; St Vincent's 10 (6 in first half) Birr 3 (1 in first half)

Yellow Cards: St Vincent's 0 Birr 2 (Hannah Feenane, Orlagh Kirwan)

Red Cards: None.

THE SCORERS

St Vincent's; Aisling Maher (1-8, 0-6 frees), Niamh Hetherton (2-1), Grace Gilroy (0-3), Ava Lambe (0-1).

Birr; Mairead Jennings (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 '45'), Ellen Regan (0-2).