Final controversy means Truagh/Clonlara & Gailltir must go again in Munster senior camogie decider

*Sinead Hogg of Truagh/Clonlara. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.

TRUAGH/Clonlara came oh so close to Munster senior camogie glory under the Fethard floodlights on Sunday.

Truagh/Clonlara 1-9
Gailltir 1-9
Venue: Fethard Town Park

By Tomás McCarthy

In a controversial finale, Molly Comerford rescued a replay for Gailltir with an 66th minute equaliser. The back to back Clare champions felt hard done by as only three additional minutes were signalled.

Team mentors questioned referee Andy Larkin on the field afterwards. They were ready to celebrate their first senior provincial title when Áine O’Loughlin nailed a free on 63 minutes. Her sixth point of the day. The leaders immediately made a substitution.

Shauna Fitzgerald soloed through on goal but got hooked. That looked like Gailltir’s last chance. It wasn’t. Play continued. Even when Eimear Kelly ran out with the ball, it still wasn’t over. Surrounded by bright yellow jerseys, Comerford somehow got her strike away and the sliotar dropped between the posts.

Confusion reigned when Larkin eventually blew it up, especially among supporters. Replay or extra time? The programme indicated extra time but both clubs were notified of a replay beforehand. An announcement was made over the speaker. They will have to go again next weekend.

Countless rucks led to countless throw balls in a tough and tactical battle. There wasn’t room to swing a hurley with hooks, blocks and tackles flying in. Róisín Begley got down on her knees at one stage to block Kate Lynch.

Déise footballer Molly Comerford stood out with 1-4 from play. Every time the number fourteen got the ball, she threatened to score. Áine O’Loughlin and Rebecca Foley proved effective attacking weapons for Truagh/Clonlara. The Begley sisters (Eimear and Róisín) and Eimear Kelly brought bucketloads of energy.

This match was switched from the 3G pitch in Fethard to the grass pitch during the week. That meant no stand for Sunday’s double header. Thankfully, it stayed dry.

A lone bagpiper led the teams around in the parade. Molly Comerford settled in right away and two points inside twelve minutes gave Gailltir the lead. Ciara Sherlock sent over a long range point before Eimear Kelly burst through the challenge of Clodagh Carroll and raised a white flag. Annie Fitzgerald showed off her footwork to make it 4-2.

Clonlara goalkeeper Sophie Cullen was penalised for stepping outside the square with the puckout and Emma Fitzgerald converted the 45. Gailltir number one Noelle Murphy then denied Becky Foley from point blank range. Áine O’Loughlin pointed the free that followed for overcarrying. Fitzgerald and O’Loughlin traded frees to end a scrappy first half (0-6 to 0-4).

The floodlights came on as O’Loughlin plucked a ball and swung a point over her shoulder. The robust Rebecca Foley then powered forward to level it up. On 39 minutes, Comerford grabbed a Sherlock delivery on the run and unleashed a low shot that bobbled to the back of the net (1-6 to 0-6). A superb O’Loughlin point, tight to the sideline, lifted the Clonlara crowd. Eimear Begley then wormed her way through and her shot bounced into the corner past Noelle Murphy (1-7 to 1-6).

A sensational catch from Alannah O’Sullivan created the equaliser for Comerford. Eimear Kelly reclaimed the lead for Clonlara. Laoise Forrest and Comerford missed chances before Kelly skated away from the blue and navy backs. It was a run that deserved a score but her shot struck the post.

In a nail biting finish, Emma Fitzgerald equalised following a foul on Annie Fitzgerald. She missed a subsequent free. O’Loughlin looked to have won it but, as Truagh Clonlara begged for the whistle, Comerford got Gailltir out of jail.

Scorers for Gailltir: Molly Comerford 1-4, Emma Fitzgerald 0-3 (2fs, 1 45), Annie Fitzgerald, Ciara Sherlock 0-1 each.

Scorers for Truagh Clonlara: Áine O’Loughlin 0-6 (4fs), Eimear Begley 1-0, Eimear Kelly 0-2, Rebecca Foley 0-1.

Gailltir

1. Noelle Murphy

2. Faye Murphy
3. Maria Brennan
4. Maeve Sheridan

5. Shauna Fitzgerald
6. Clodagh Carroll
7. Aoife Hartley

9. Kate Lynch
15. Ciara Sherlock

12. Anne Corcoran
6. Laoise Forrest
14. Molly Comerford

10. Alannah O’Sullivan
11.Annie Fitzgerald
13. Emma Fitzgerald

Subs
20. Emer Walshe for Corcoran (47)
22. Ciara O’Sullivan for Hartley (50)

Truagh Clonlara
26. Sophie Cullen

19. Sinead Ryan
3. Michelle Powell
4. Sinead Hogg