Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final – Galway 0-12 Limerick 0-10

Galway defeated Limerick by 0-12 to 0-10 in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final on Sunday September 15th at Croke Park.

McGrath on song as Tribeswomen make amends

Galway 0-12 Limerick 0-10

By Daragh Ó Conchúir for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Galway held off a spirited Limerick side to bounce back from last year’s replay defeat and eke out a narrow but deserved victory in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland intermediate camogie final at Croke Park. Orlaith McGrath – whose father Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath enjoyed many successful days at headquarters – was in scintillating form for the Tribeswomen and it was no surprise that the Sarsfields attacker earned the Player of the Match award. She topped off a day she is unlikely to forget by coming on towards the end of the seniors’ success later in the afternoon.

Limerick fought to the bitter end but their much-vaunted forward line got absolutely no change from a splendid Galway rearguard. And so, the Shannonsiders were heavily reliant on Niamh Mulcahy’s well-judged shooting in nightmarish conditions for free-takers to keep them in contention. Galway gradually imposed themselves and three points from Rebecca Hennelly, McGrath and a classy finish by Aoife Donoghue helped them into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead. But it was level scores at the interval as Mulcahy punished a few indiscretions. She gave Limerick the lead early in the second half, but a run of three points, with McGrath providing one either side of Donoghue’s second score, pushed Galway clear once more. Síle Moynihan made a brilliant save from Karen Kennedy five minutes from the end of normal time to keep Joe Quaid’s side in touch though and two brilliant Mulcahy frees left it at 0-11 to 0-10 entering injury time.

Hennelly pushed the gap to two with a 62nd minute free but Karen O’Leary almost snatched a dramatic victory for Limerick, only to see her shot deflected out for a 45. Limerick boss Quaid referred to a couple of important decisions going against his side but, in a nod to Clare hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald, joked that he wouldn’t be giving a “small fish” speech. “We’re gutted,” Quaid stated. “I don’t feel the girls performed to their potential today but we have to understand what a low base we came from last year and how many young girls we have on the team. I’m so, so proud of them for the way they tried out there today.”

Scorers for Galway: R Hennelly (3fs), O McGrath (0-4 each), A Donoghue (0-2), C Cormican, M Cooney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Limerick: N Mulcahy (0-8, 7fs), C Costello, M O’Callaghan (0-1 each).

GALWAY: R Callanan; T Kenny, S Healy, C Gill; P Kenny, S Noone, S Keane; A Callanan, C Cormican; K O’Dwyer, R Hennelly, M Cooney; F Keely, O McGrath, A Donoghue

Subs: D Burke for A Callanan (ht); K Kennedy for Donoghue(52); A Lynskey for Keely (57); L Mitchell for O’Dwyer (60+2).

LIMERICK: S Moynihan; F Hickey, S Carey, J Mulcahy; M Ryan, M Casey, R Delee; D Fitzpatrick, K Campbell; C Costello, N Mulcahy, D Murphy; M Keating, M O’Callaghan, D O’Brien.

Subs: A Wilson for Keating (ht); K O’Leary for Campbell (44); J Garvey for O’Callaghan (54); J Wilson for Ryan (58).

Referee: A O’Brien (Wexford)

Fixture Details

Sunday 15th September 2013

Liberty Insurance Intermediate Camogie Championship Final

Galway v Limerick

Referee – Aiden O Brien

Croke Park 14:00

Team News

Limerick Team

1 Sile Moynihan (Ahane)

2 Fiona Hickey (Granagh Ballingarry)

3 Sarah Carey (Granagh Ballingarry)

4 Judith Mulcahy (Ahane)

5 Mairéad Ryan (Galbally)

6 Michelle Casey (Killeedy) Captain

7 Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West)

8 Deirdre Fitzpatrick (Killeedy)

9 Katie Campbell (Na Piarsaigh)

10 Caoimhe Costello (Adare)

11 Niamh Mulcahy (Ahane)

12 Deborah Murphy (Knockaderry)

13 Marie Keating (Killeedy(

14 Mary O’Callaghan (Bruff)

15 Dymphna O’Brien (Killeedy)

Subs:

16 Claire Keating (Cappamore)

17 Janet Garvey (Tournafulla)

18 Noreen Barry (Killeedy)

19 Mairéad Fitzgerald (Granagh Ballingarry)

20 Karen O’Leary (Newcastle West)

21 Aoife Wilson (Na Piarsaigh)

22 Elaine Kennedy (Newcastle West)

23 Bríd Hannan (Croagh Kilfinny)

24 Meadhbh O’Neill (Galbally)

25 Orla Cunningham (Killeedy)

26 Sarah Crotty (Ahane)

27 Katie Hennessy (Ballyagran)

28 Caitrin DeBhál (Feenagh Kilmeedy)

29 Donna Mulcahy (Killeedy)

30 Jane Wilson (Na Piarsaigh)

31 Aishling McCartan (Newcastle West)

32 Patricia Liston (Newcastle West)

Management Team

Manager- Joe Quaid (Murroe Boher)

Selectors – Ger Sheehy (Newcastle West), Anne Herbert (Newcastle West)

First Aid – Sara Fitzgerald

Liason Officer – James Moynihan

Limerick U14s will take part in the All Ireland Blitz in Dublin on Saturday and will also parade in Croke Park at half time in the Senior game.

Another Limerick Team will take the field in Croke Park on Sunday as the U10s of Treaty Gaels Camogie Club will take part in the mini games at half time in the Junior match.