Bruff book first ever top level camogie final with win over Monaleen

BRUFF will contest a first Limerick Senior Camogie final next month, after getting the better of Monaleen on a 2-12 to 1-11 scoreline in their semi-final on their own pitch.

Goals from Lorraine McCarthy and Mary O’Callaghan, at the end of either half, together with the free taking exploits of Aoibhin O’Connor, propelled The Stars to a decider, where they will meet Newcastle West.

In a physical and hard-fought sixty minutes of camogie, it was Bruff who shaded it, especially in the second half where they limited the city side to just two scores, with a strong defensive showing.

It was Monlaeen who were the better side in the opening half. They would lead by five nearing half-time, only for McCarthy’s well-taken goal key tightening the scoreboard.

Despite scoring the games opening point through O’Connor, Bruff failed to deal with the early pressure applied by Tim McGrath’s side, and points from Ella Hession, Laura Southern and Ellie Madden were all key to them taking control.

It was 0-5 to 0-1 by the twelfth minute with Southern again pointing, while Madden was accurate from placed balls.

Southern, however, was left frustrated when thundering an effort off the crossbar, minutes earlier.

By the time Emily O’Halloran dropped over her second point on 23 minutes, it was 0-8 to 0-3, with Bruff struggling to find their attack with the difficult cross-wind.

However, with half-time approaching, the experienced McCarthy ghosted in around the back and finished with aplomb for a much needed three-pointer. A free from Madden pushed the gap out to two points at the other end.

Madden’s well taken goal early in the second half swung the momentum back last season's finalists. Collecting a cross-field ball from Hession, she turned the cover before blasting to the net.

This would be the last score Monaleen would manage until stoppage time as the home side took over.

Unbeaten thus far, having topped their group, Paul Neenan’s Bruff worked their way back into the contest.

Once more O’Connor’s well practised free-taking was key, but so too were points from Caroline Brennan and later Orlaith O’Donoghue.

Brennan’s point was of individual brilliance and by the time sub O’Donoghue pointed, they had moved two ahead. Mary O’Callaghan also split the posts in a spell where they dominated in virtually all sectors.

When a long O’Connor free wasn’t cleared, as the game entered stoppage time, the game clinching goal was found.

Fittingly, long-serving captain O’Callaghan kicked to book their place in Limerick Camogie’s biggest domestic day.

Despite a Monaleen onslaught, including another point from Southern, their search for a goal proved fruitless.

SCORERS - BRUFF: Aoibhin O’Connor 0-9 (8f); Mary O’Callaghan 1-1; Lorraine McCarthy 1-0; Caroline Brennan 0-1; Orlaith O’Donoghue 0-1; MONALEEN: Ellie Madden 1-4 (4f); Laura Southern 0-4; Emily O’Halloran 0-2; Ella Hession 0-1.

BRUFF: Chloe Breen; Tara Hynes, Aine Foley, Cara Davern; Eva Butler, Mairéad Ryan, Sophie O’Riordan; Caroline Brennan, Ciara Neenan; Agi Buckley, Clodagh Reale, Mary O’Callaghan; Aoibhin O’Connor, Lorraine McCarthy, Lauren O'Shea; Subs: Megan Walsh for Hynes (24 mins, inj); Orlaith O’Donoghue for Davern (45 mins).

MONALEEN: Alexsander Wayslik; Ellie Fitzgerald, Rebecca Brommell, Aoife O’Brien; Aoife Nelligan, Emily O’Halloran, Katherine Leddy; Caitlin Bonfil, Abi Houlihan; Amy Burke, Grace Field, Roisin McNamara; Ella Hession, Laura Southern, Ellie Madden; Subs: Carrie McCormack for Leddy (38 mins); Robyn D’Arcy for Roisin McNamara (38 mins); Cadha Heffernan for O’Brien (52 mins).

Referee: John O’Donnell (Effin)