Monaleen claim Limerick intermediate camogie title after victory over Croagh-Kilfinny

MONALEEN overcame a determined Croagh–Kilfinny side 2-15 to 2-10 to claim the Griffins Limerick Intermediate Camogie Championship crown for 2023 last Sunday in Ballyagran and with it promotion to the top grade for 2024 which will no doubt be a good challenge for this exciting young side.

Donna Kenny, a late addition to the starting line-up for Croagh-Kilfinny, put them a point to the good after 90 seconds.

Monaleen responded through the threatening Caoimhe Lyons before Orlaoth Kelleher and Ellie Madden traded frees. Croagh were first to find the net in a dramatic two-minute spell. Keelin Madigan finished powerfully after some great work by Kenny to engineer the chance.

By the time Croagh finished celebrating, Monaleen had buried the sliotar in their goal. Ella Hession with the finish after a brilliant solo run. A Caoimhe Lyons point was sandwiched between a pair of Orlaith Kelleher frees. Madden was flawless from placed balls in the opening half and added four more for her side from a variety of angles.

Megan O’Mara closed the opening half hour with an excellent score for Monaleen. This put the city side 1-08 to 1-04 ahead at the break.

Croagh had a lightning start to the second half. Kenny again was front and centre as she finished off a brilliant two touch move to close the gap to just a single score.

A pair of Kelleher frees put Croagh in front on the 37th minute before Phoenix Mulcaire Shire increased their lead to three with two fine efforts in as many minutes. Madden and Lyons were first responders for Monaleen.

Madden was again on fire as she found the target with three more frees. Hession then added a score from play before Mulcaire-Shire tried her best to half the momentum with another fine effort.

Monaleen were two points to the good at the end of normal time when a Madden free uncharacteristically dropped short into the Croagh goalmouth. The danger of the dropping ball was not dealt with as the sliotar bypassed Croagh-Kilfinny defenders before nestling in the corner of the net. The goal sealed a five point victory for Monaleen and promotion to senior ranks for 2024.

SCORERS: Monaleen: E Madden 1-10 ( 0-10 frees), E Hession 1-1, C Lyons 0-3, M O’Mara 0-1. Croagh–Kilfinny: O Kelleher 0-6 (0-6 frees), D Kenny 1-1, P Mulcaire-Shire 0-3, K Madigan 1-0.

MONALEEN: Faye Coffey, Aoife Nelligan, Grace Field, Niamh Moloney, Megan O’Mara, Laura Hession, Isabella Collins, Ciara Buckley, Saoirse Fitzgerald, Ellie Madden, Sorcha Ní Fhrigil, Amy Burke, Ella Hession, Caoimhe Lyons, Emily O’Halloran. Subs: Ruth Heavey for Niamh Moloney (40 mins)

CROAGH-KILFINNY: Emma Dalton, Dawn O’Shaughnessy, Emma Quaid, Mika Kenny, Reba Kenny, Ciara Houlihan, Tara Lenihan, Triona Neville, Orlaith Kelleher, Phoenix Mulcaire Shire, Sarah Frawley, Brid Hannan, Keelin Madigan, Donna Kenny, Amy Foley. Subs: Joanne Foley for Madigan (48 mins), Edel Kelleher for Frawley (60 mins).