*Jane Fitzgerald celebrates at the final whistle. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
INAGH/KILNAMONA have been crowned Clare senior camogie champions for the first time in five years after defeating title holders Truagh/Clonlara following extra time.
Inagh/Kilnamona 2-14
Truagh-Clonlara 1-14
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis
For the fifth time in their history, Inagh/Kilnamona have won the McMahon Cup and in the process ended Truagh/Clonlara’s chances of winning the title for the third year in a row.
Champions die hard it is said and so it proved in this final when Inagh/Kilnamona had to pull out all the stops to win back a crown they last held in 2020. They will have little time to celebrate as they face the Limerick champions in the opening game in the Munster campaign on Sunday next with the Clare side having home advantage.
The newly crowned champions made the better start racing 0-4 to 0-1 clear after twelve minutes. They played with the aid of a fresh wind in the opening half but they found the defending champions’ defence to be in superb form with joint captain Laura Foley leading the charge from centre back.
By half time the margin was down to two with Inagh/Kilnamona 0-6 to 0-4 in front as they headed to the dressing rooms.
They returned with the experienced Fiona Lafferty in their side and they struck first with Aoife Keane getting the first score of the new half. That was quickly cancelled out by a Roisin Begley free but Inagh/Kilnamona responded with a brace and they led 0-9 to 0-5 just six minutes into the second period.
Truagh/Clonlara then hit their best period and they struck for four unanswered points in as many minutes to level the tie twelve minutes into the half.
Aoibhin Ryan and Roisin Begley swapped scores from frees before the title holders pushed two clear with scores from Hannah Horgan and Roisin Begley and this was the position with two minutes of normal time remaining.
The game was in the final minute when Inagh/Kilnamoa were awarded a 20m free in front of goal and there was only one option for All Star nominee Clare Hehir and she duly obliged and drilled the ball to the net putting her side a point clear as four minutes of additional time were signalled.
The game was in the fourth minute when Truagh/Clonlara were awarded a 20m free almost on the sideline on the opposite side to the main stand. Roisin Begley made no mistake sending the tie to extra time.
(All photographs by Ruth Griffin)
Truagh/Clonlara played with the assistance of the breeze in the first half and took the lead when defender Taylor Morris pointed but that proved to be their only score in this period.
There were two minutes of additional time at the end of the first half and Clare Hehir converted two frees in those two minutes to leave her side 1-12 to 0-14 ahead at the break.
Three minutes into the second period Inagh/Kilnamona struck for their second goal with substitute Kate Dowling finding the nett. Player of the match Clare Hehir and Aoife Keane followed with points and Inagh/Kilnamona were two points clear as the game headed into a minute of added time.
A foul on Aine O’Loughllin resulted in a 20m free which the Truagh/Clonlara forward drilled to the net but time wasn’t on their side and following the puckout referee Kevin Corry called time and the celebrations started for the Combo.
Team captain Laoise Ryan, Teresa and Andrea O’Keeffe, Aoife Keane and Clare Hehir were prominent throughout for the winners while Laura Foley, a strong contender for player of the match, Michelle Powell, Ellen Horgan, Eimear Kelly and Roisin Begley did well for Truagh/Clonlara.
Scorers; Inagh-Kilnamona; Cllare Hehir (1-4, 1-3f); Aoibhin Ryan (0-4, 3 f); Aoife Keane (0-3); Kate Dowling (1-0), Andrea O’Keeffe (0-2), Sinead Power (0-1)
Scorers Truagh-Clonlara; Roisin Begley (0-7, 5f); Aine O’Loughoin (1-2, 1-0 f); Eimear Kellly (0-3); Hannah Horgan, Taylor Morris (0-1) each
Inagh/Kilnamona:
1: Cara McInerney;
2: Tierna Hegarty,
3: Cliodhna Queally,
4: Cathy Cullinan;
5: Jane Fitzgerald
6: Laoise Ryan (Captain)
7: Teresa O’Keeffe
8: Danielle Griffin
9: Andrea O’Keeffe;
10: Aoife Keane,
11: Sinead Power
12: Laura Rynne;
13: Aoibhin Ryan
14: Clare Hehir
15: Ellisha Rynne
Subs:
16: Fiona Lafferty for E. Rynne (HT)
18: Kate Dowling for A. Ryan (45)
17: Hannah Shannon for S. Power (58)
19: Mary McInerney for L. Rynne (60)
13: Aoibhin Ryan for M. McInerney (70);
15: Elisha Rynne for A. Ryan (75)
11: Sinead. Power for C Cullllinan (78)
12: Laura Rynne for T. Jegarty (79)
Truagh/Clonlara;
1: Sophie Cullen
2: Taylor Morris,
3: Michelle Powell,
4: Sinead Hogg;
5: Ellen Horgan
6: Laura Foley
8: Michelle Caulfield,
7: Eimear Begley;
9: Eimear Kelly;
13: Áine O’Loughlin,
11: Joanne Egan,
12: Louise Egan;
10: Roisin Begley
14: Lauren Slater
15: Hannah Horgan;
Subs:
17: Aoibhin Marren for L. Slater (38)
26: Holly Nihill for M. Caulfield (54)
8: Michelle Caulfield for E. Begley (60)
7: Eimear Begley for H Nihill (FT)
20: Sinead Ryan for S Hogg (63) (inj)
14: Lauren Slater for T. Morris (74)
Referee; Kevin Corry, Sixmilebridge
