Munster Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie win fourth All-Ireland title

PLAYERS from across the province took to the court representing Munster Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie club on Sunday last for the M. Donnelly Inter-Provincial Wheelchair Hurling Camogie Championship finals.

Players from Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Kerry donned the blue jersey in Ashbourne Community School in Co Meath for the inter-provincial event.

Limerick representatives Maurice Noonan from Ballingarry, Darren Dineen from Ardagh, Steven Casey from Bruff, Gary O'Halloran from Patrickswell, Kieran Bennis from Patrickswell James McCarthy, Clareview, and Ellie Sheehy (Captain) from Templeglantine were all available for selection. 

Due to Covid-19 there had not been any tournament staged in either 2020 or 2021 and the players were delighted to be back out doing what they do best.

Following on from their hugely successful run in the Wheelchair Hurling League earlier in the year, when emerging as overall winners, they turned their attention to the All-Ireland Final.

This was the first final to be played since the Club last achieved All-Ireland success in 2019. Due to the pandemic, all games and training was suspended for both 2020 and 2021. They took their training sessions online and trained from their homes over Zoom using what they had at home in order to keep fit.

Their first opponents in Ashbourne, were Ulster and at half-time Munster were a goal up (2-0 to 1-0). Following a strong second half performance by Munster, the full-time score was Munster 4-1, Ulster 2-2.

It was straight into their second game against Leinster. The half-time score showed Munster to be the tighter team, leading Munster 3-1, Leinster 1-0 at the break.

A ferocious second half was played out by the teams and with Munster’s defence under severe pressure, the team dug deep and won out this game on a scoreline of 4-2 to 3-0.

Munster had a well-earned break while Ulster played Connacht. Connacht were up next for Munster and while they fought a hard battle against Ulster, Munster knew they would be up for this game.

Both teams gave everything they had and at half-time the scoreline read Munster 2-0, Connacht 0-0. The second half was a hard-hitting, fast-paced game with a third win for Munster 3-0, Connacht 1-1.

With Munster’s place in the final secured, and the last game of Leinster Vs Ulster to determine the other finalist, this game was watched with great interest. The Shield Final pairing was made up of Leinster Vs Connacht and the All-Ireland Final was Munster Vs Ulster.

The All-Ireland Final was an intense affair with no opportunity to take your eyes off the court. A battle of the backs, a centre court confrontation and a forward line battle that left no one under any illusion that this game was the pinnacle of the Wheelchair Hurling Year, culminating in a four goal to no score victory for Munster at full time.

With four All-Ireland titles, three league successes and a trophy cabinet full of All-Star Awards, this team have no intention of slowing down any time soon.

Follow the team on social media: 
Facebook : Munster Wheelchair Hurling Camogie Club 
Twitter @club_munster 
Instagram Munster Wheelchair Hurling Camogie Club .