Limerick camogie championship finals take centre stage

LIMERICK camogie championship finals take centre stage this weekend with a double-header of games fixed for Cappamore on Saturday afternoon.

In the Senior Cup final, Ahane will take on Newcastle West at 4pm. The two sides have already met this year in the group stages of the campaign with Newcastle West coming away with a 1-12 to 0-11 victory.

Newcastle West will attempt to retain their title after beating Killeedy in last year's decider. The ‘Magpies’ recorded another  significant victory in the championship with a 1-19 to 1-7 win over Na Piarsaigh in their semi-final fixture two weeks ago.

Looking ahead to Saturday's final, Newcastle West manager Mike Quaid said: “Last year's game really has no bearing on this final. Saturday's game is against different opposition and it's a new challenge for us and we are really looking forward to it.”

Despite this being a totally different looking final Newcastle West still have twelve girls from last year's fixture who will be gunning for their second county title this weekend.

Their opponents, Ahane, have not been in the county final since 2022, when they overcame Killeedy. Ahane secured a narrow two-point victory over Bruff to book their spot in the decider. This was Bruff's first defeat of the entire championship with Ahane securing a hard fought 1-12 to 2-7 win in the semi-final.

Manager of the Ahane senior camogie side, Phelim Macken, spoke about the difficult championship games his team has faced to date.

“It was a really interesting championship this year with the perceived stronger teams all in the same group. We had a tough group game against Newcastle but anyone could have won that day, it was only a puck of a ball really and Saturday's game will be no different.

“We feel like we are slightly more battle hardened going into the final after the incredibly tough semi-final against Bruff.”

Meanwhile, the Griffins Coaches Intermediate Cup final will open the double header in Cappamore on Saturday with Croagh-Kilfinny taking on Granagh-Ballingarry in the decider at 1.15pm.

Croagh/Kilfinny continued on their impressive winning streak after topping group one. They overcame Templeglantine by three goals, 3-7 to 0-7, in their semi-final. Their opponents this weekend Granagh-Ballingarry came out victors over Patrickswell, 2-9 to 1-10 in their semi-final.

Cappamore will take on Murroe-Boher in the Griffins Coaches Intermediate plate final on Sunday at 4pm in Cappamore as well.

Killeedy will play Adare in the Senior Plate final on Sunday, October 13 in Templeglantine at 1pm, after a tight 0-16 to 2-7 victory over Crecora in their semi-final. Adare got the better of Monaleen in one of the most dramatic finishes of the entire championship.

Neither side was able to get the winning score after regular and extra-time. This lead to the game to go to 45's. With the light fading, Adare overcame their opponents after a gripping battle eventually winning out 4-2 on 45's. 

After losing in their respective semi-finals, Monaleen and Crecora will battle it out in the relegation final on Sunday, October 13 at 11am in Cappamore.