by Sarah Gaughran, Galway Camogie
Kiltormer 4-8 | Sarsfields 2-8
View Match Photos – Photo credit: Alan Leonard
Kiltormer have booked their place in the Duane’s Hardware Intermediate Camogie Championship final against Liam Mellows after a six-point victory over Sarsfields in Clarinbridge on Sunday. In an entertaining contest, Kiltormer showed their scoring threat at crucial stages, with four goals proving decisive in seeing them through to the decider. Despite Sarsfields’ efforts to stay in contention, Kiltormer’s ability to find the net at key moments ultimately proved the difference as they secured their place in the county final
Ruth Kilkenny opened the scoring for Kiltormer in the opening minute as she slotted over a 45. Sarsfields registered three wides in the opening six minutes before Elysia Cox opened their account in the seventh minute. Cliona Cahalan and Ciara Kyne followed up with points for Sarsfields as they took a 0-3 to 0-1 lead midway through the half Kate Kilkenny then hit 1-1 in the space of five minutes for Kiltormer, with her goal coming from a well-taken low shot into the corner. Cahalan replied with a free for Sarsfields, but Hanlon finished off a well-worked Kiltormer move by finding the back of the Sarsfields net for her first major in the 22nd minute. Sophie Flynn and Sarah Maher traded seores before Cahalan had the final say of the half, blasting the ball into the back of the Kiltormer net. Kiltormer went in at the break holding a narrow 2-3 to 1-5 lead.
Cahalan started the second half as she had finished the first, finding the top corner of the net for Sarsfields within the opening 50 seconds to restore their lead. Kiltormer responded impressively with 1-3 without reply. Two frees from Ruth Kilkenny, a point from Kate Kilkenny and Hanlon’s third goal of the afternoon saw Kiltormer take a 3-6 to 2-5 lead with 15 minutes remaining. Cahalan replied with a free for Sarsfields, but Kiltormer struck another 1-2 without reply to extend their advantage. Kate Kilkenny slotted over a free before Ruth Kilkenny pointed a 45. Caoimhe Kilkenny then sent a long-range effort towards goal in the 52nd minute, with the ball lobbing into the back of the Sarsfields net to leave Kiltormer firmly in control at 4-8 to 2-6 heading into the closing stages. Sarsfields finished strongly, with Cahalan adding two further points, including one from a free, but Kiltormer held on to secure a 4-8 to 2-8 victory and their place in the county final.
Kiltormer will now face familiar rivals Liam Mellows in a repeat of the 2023 Junior A County Final, when Mellows emerged victorious, Kiltormer will be eager to right the wrongs of that day
Liam Mellows 1-12 Eyrecourt 2-6
View match photos (Photo credit Don Soules)
A strong start to the second half, during which they hit six unanswered points, proved key as Liam Mellows overcame a determined Eyrecourt side in Tynagh on Sunday to book their place in the Intermediate Championship final
Eyrecourt made the brighter start through Kayla Earner, but Danielle Grealish and Róisin Hughes, from a 45, replied to give the city side the lead. Ellen Larkin responded for Eyrecourt before a McPeake free and a point from Ciara Dolan extended Mellows’ advantage to two, Amber Gohery reduced the deficit to one in the 20th minute. Liam Mellows looked to have gained the upper hand heading towards half-time when Léanna Ni Dhonnacha added a point before Ellen Burke found the net. However, Mia Flannery struck back with a goal for Eyrecourt to keep the east Galway side in contention. Dolan added a late point to leave Mellows ahead by 1-6 to 1-3 at the break.
Burke and McPeake, from a free, extended Mellows` lead early in the second half. Aideen Lyons converted a free for Eyrecourt, but Mellows took control with six unanswered points. McPeake contributed 0-2, including a free, while Dolan, Burke, Hughes and Molly Mahon also found the target to put daylight between the sides. Anna McDermott replied for Eyrecourt before Flannery grabbed her second goal of the afternoon leaving the score at 2-5 to 1-14 heading into the closing stages. McPeake converted another free and Dolan added a point for Mellows, while Aoife OSullivan responded for Eyrecourt. Burke and Dolan then had the final say as Mellows ran out convincing 1-18 to 2-6 win.
Liam Mellows have been building steadily over recent years, and their impressive season has earned them a place in next weekend’s final. They will now turn to Kiltormer as they bid to claim the Intermediate title and secure Senior B status for 2027.
