Croke Park played host to this year’s AIB All-Ireland club camogie finals this afternoon, and despite snow, wind and bitterly cold conditions there was a thrilling display of camogie on offer.
A cracking intermediate final got proceedings underway as Piltown of Kilkenny faced off to defending champions Lismore of Waterford.
In what turned out to be a close and competitive encounter, it was Lismore who started strongest but Piltown were quick to find their feet, hitting the back of the net early on thanks to Chloe Blackmore.
Lismore had to dig deep, and were rewarded for their tough graft when an Aoife Hannon free rocked the Piltown net to leave them just two points down at the break, 1-6 to 1-4.
Piltown edged their lead out to four points with just over seven minutes left, but Lismore were not giving up their title without a fight.
The Waterford side threw everything at Piltown making for a nerve-wracking finale and had a goal ruled out with just three minutes left on the clock.
Despite some well-taken scores though, time ran out for Lismore, and Piltown secured their first All-Ireland intermediate title after a nail-biting finish and on the smallest of margins, 1-10 to 1-9.
Next up was the senior final, which saw Wexford’s Oulart The Ballagh take on Galway’s Mullagh.
Oulart The Ballagh claimed the title in emphatic fashion with a 15-point win over their Galway opposition.
The old adage that goals win games certainly rang true in the second game of the afternoon, as Oulart pounced for goals at every opportunity and it was this supremacy and confidence in front of the posts that ultimately led to glory.
Indeed, Oulart hit the net after just 40 seconds from the hurl of Stacey Kehoe – a score that firmly laid down the marker for things to come.
The sides exchanged scores, before Mullagh’s goalie Catriona Daly was called into action once more and pulled off a fantastic save from an Úna Leacy shot to deny Oulart a second goal.
Nerves settled, Mullagh came into the match more and more, but a few missed chances in front of the posts allowed Oulart to open up a gap going in at the break, 1-6 to 0-3 ahead.
Despite some determination early on in the second half from Mullagh, they had just one score to show for their efforts.
Meanwhile at the other end, Úna Leacy nabbed her side’s second goal. Minutes later, Louise Sinnott grabbed a third goal for the Wexford club, and the result was well and truly sealed.
The final whistle blew on a scoreline of 3-13 to 0-7 and Oulart The Ballagh were deservedly crowned champions.
