Scariff/Ogonnelloe claim senior title

Scariff/Ogonnelloe have been crowned Clare senior camogie champions for the second time in their history.

Scariff/Ogonnelloe 1-12
Truagh/Clonlara 0-08
Venue: Broadford

By Derek Dormer

They may have trailed by four points at the first water break but a spirited and determined Scariff/Ogonnelloe would come good to ensure they retained the McMahon Cup for the first time since 2019 and only the second time in their history.

A huge crowd descended in East Clare for the keenly anticipated replay between the sides given the excitement served up in the drawn encounter played in Clarecastle two weeks ago.

Conditions were tough restricting the ability for free flowing camogie especially the prevalence of a strong wind. What we did get was a full bloodied committed contest with both teams willing to place their bodies on the line in pursuit of championship glory.

It was Scariff/Ogonelloe’s ability to withstand pressure and defend heroically that provided the catalyst for victory. A defensive masterclass was on display with tenacious blocking hooking and tackling throughout the sixty minutes. Trailing by six points to two at the first water break they would restrict their opponents to only two further scores for the remainder of the contest.

In the reverse of the drawn game it was Truagh/Clonlara who hit the ground running and were totally dominant in the first quarter courtesy of Clare attacker Eimear Kelly who landed four points. However a couple of goal chances passed them by and a fantastic Rachel Daly save just before the first water break would prove vital.

The second quarter saw only one score as Scariff/Ogonelloe retreated all their lines to try smother out Truagh/Clonlara. Time and time again the Scariff/Ogonelloe defence repelled all opposing attacks with Susan Vaughan and Ciara Doyle to the fore. Jennifer Daly would score the only point of the quarter with Truagh/Clonlara leading 0-6 0-03 at the interval. What was telling though was their failure to score and with the wind to come Scariff/Ogonelloe would have been much the happier of the two teams at the interval.

The moving quarter as it’s now known was all Scariff/Ogonelloe. Within minutes of the restart they were level with quickfire points from Alva Rodgers, Labhaoise O’Donnell and Jennifer Daly before substitute Aisling Corbett landed three monster frees ensuring they would enter the final water break leading 0-09 0-06 and another fifteen minute period without a Truagh/Clonlara score.

There was a nervy and tense start to the fourth and final quarter. A Mairead Scanlon free gave Scariff/Ogonelloe a four point cushion but credit to Truagh/Clonlara who never gave up. Eimear Kelly pointed in the 52nd minute their first score in 37 minutes and entering the final straight it was a one score game.

However a late scoring blitz of 1-2 with Lorraine Grady’s goal deep into injury time ensuring a second county championship for Scariff/Ogonelloe. Truagh/Clonlara can have no complaints as the better team on the day deservedly lifted the McMahon Cup after showing all the battling qualities champions possess.

Scorers Scariff Ogonelloe: Aisling Corbett (0-4 4f), Lorraine Grady (1-0), Alva Rodgers (0-2), Jennifer Daly (0-2), Labhaoise O’Donnell (0-2), Mairead Scanlon (0-2 2f).

Scorers Truagh Clonlara: Eimear Kelly (0-5 2f), Ellen Horgan (0-1), Áine O Loughlin (0-1), Laura Foley (0-1).

Scariff/Ogonelloe:

1: Rachel Daly

7: Alison McGee
3: Ciara Doyle
6: Susan Daly

4: Susan Vaughan
5: Rachel Minogue
16: Bonnie Wiley Murphy

2:Abby Walsh
11: Amy Barrett

12: Lynda Daly
9: Mairead Scanlon
17: Lorraine Grady

13: Jennifer Daly
10: Labhaoise O Donnell
8: Alva Rodgers

Subs:
14: Cliona McNamara for Grady(20)
15: Aisling Corbett for Wiley Murphy (HT)
17: Lorraine Grady for McNamara (51)

Truagh/Clonlara:

1: Lisa Moloney

4: Sinead Hogg
3: Michelle Powell
2: Sinead Ryan