WATERFORD and Kildare booked their spots in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie final with wins over Meath and Cork last weekend.
Goals from Jane Dolan and Megan Thynne saw Meath take a 3-4 to 0-5 lead at the break, but Waterford hit back in the second half when Shona Curran grabbed a goal after 41 minutes. Aisling Power and Beth Carton also raised the green flag for Waterford, while Poc Fada champion Trish Jackman pointed to give them a three-point lead. Dolan pegged back two of those, but the Déise managed to hold out to book their spot at headquarters.
The other semi-final saw Kildare claim a 1-12 to 0-11 win over Cork. Emer Reilly set them on their way with a goal right on the brink of half-time as the Lilywhites held a four-point lead at the break.
Amanda O’Regan grabbed six points in the first half for the Rebels, with Susie O’Carroll responding with five for Kildare. The game was in the balance, as one point separated the sides at 0-8 to 0-7 when Reilly raised the green flag. O’Carroll, Reilly and Siobhán Hurley all pointed to extend the Lilywhites’ lead to six and their defence remained firm as they saw off Cork by four points.
Carlow were crowned the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Junior A winners with a 0-14 to 0-3 victory over Kerry.
It was the eventual winners who held the lead at the interval, 0-5 to 0-3, Sara Murphy grabbing the Kerry scores. Second half points from Eleanor Treacy, Michelle Nolan and Ciara Quirke ensured a famous victory for Carlow.
ANTRIM COUNTY JUNIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP
Brídíní Óga and Cargin will face-off in the Festival Productions Antrim County Junior Camogie Championship final on Saturday, September 5 after overcoming Loughgiel and Armoy respectively.
In a thrilling contest at Ballymena last Sunday, Brídíní Óga ended Loughiel’s three in-a-row hopes as they came away three point victors, 0-8 to 0-5.
Johanna McKeown put Loughgiel two points clear before Brídíní Óga’s captain Caoimhe McAleenan opened their account from the placed ball. Victoria Edgar hit over a fine point to ensure the sides would go into the break on level terms, 0-2 apiece.
Caoimhe McAleenan put her side in front for the first time, but Johanna McKeown responded for the Shamrocks once more. Eimear Higgins thought she had grabbed a crucial goal for Brídíní Óga when she reacted quickest to send McAleenan’s free past Loughgiel 'keeper Megan Coyles, but it was ruled out by the referee. McAleenan drew her side level once more before Victoria Edgar gave them a one-point adavantage. Once more Higgins had the ball in the Loughgiel net but once again she was denied by the referee who pulled play back for a 20 metre free which was dispatched by McAleenan.
Johanna McKeown set up a fine finish when she put one between the sides with eight minutes to go, but Edgar and McAleenan both pointed to send Brídíní Óga into their first ever Junior final.
Cargin camogs also made history as they booked their spot in their first Junior final in their first season. The Toome side overcame Armoy, 5-15 to 0-1, at Portglenone last Saturday. Three goals in the opening six minutes set Cargin on their way as they lead 5-7 to 0-0 at half-time.
Katie McAnenley, Gráinne McAtamney and Laura Johnston all pointed for Cargin after the break. Bronagh McDonnell got Armoy on the scoresheet when she hit over a free in the dying minutes.
Meanwhile, Ballerin were crowned the Derry County Credit Union Junior champions with a win over neighbours Drumsurn, while Slaughtneil II took the honours in the Newferry Fast Freight Ltd Reserve Championship.
