Down senior camogie semi-finals: Ballygalget 5-11 Liatroim Fontenoys 2-12; Clonduff 0-17 Portaferry 2-9
THE end result, a Clonduff v Ballygalget final this weekend in the Down championship, was predicted, but both finalists had to battle hard to make it through.
A late turnover in the Portaferry defence was crucial to the outcome of the game in Hilltown where Clonduff came from behind to snatch victory from a Portaferry side inspired by the presence of Niamh Mallon at full-forward.
Mallon had missed their last few games and is still obviously carrying a foot injury and lacking in match sharpness, but she got the best out of her team mates and they led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the change of ends with Cliodhna Coleman scoring the goal.
Clonduff took over for a period on the re-start and went six clear, mainly from frees that Paula O’Hagan nailed.
However Portaferry hit back with a goal and a couple of points from Mallon. Ger McGrattan levelled the tie and Mallon edged her side ahead.
But Clonduff won a crucial ball with five minutes to go and Isabella O’Hare landed a precious equaliser to which O’Hagan added two late points to deny the Ports at the death.
In Ballygalget the home side was well tested by Liatroim Fontenoys who held a narrow 0-4 to 0-3 lead at the water break with three scores from Kelly Duffin.
Duffin was in good form for the Fontenoys as were Sileen McAleenan and Dearbhla Magee, but Ballygalget had too much variation in fire power up front allied to strong defence from Nicola Braniff and Alannah Savage.
Duffin scored a goal before half time, but majors from Tara Monan and Colleen Clarke edged Ballygalget 2-5 to 1-6 ahead at the turnover.
Quick goals on the re-start from Beth Coulter and Erin Hagan left Liatroim a huge task.
But a goal from Karen McMullan and a couple of inspirational points from Dearbhla Magee closed the gap.
However Ciara Fitzsimons sealed victory with a fifth Ballygalget goal late in the game.
Ballygalget: Erin Hagan 1-4, Ciara Fitzsimons 1-2, Colleen Clarke 1-1, Tara Monan 1-0, Beth Coulter 1-0, Nicola Braniff 0-4.
Liatroim: Kelly Duffin 1-4, Karen McMullan 1-3, Dearbhla Magee 0-2, Aoife McCrickard 0-1, Aimee McAleenan 0-1, Olivia Blaney 0-1
Clonduff: Paula O’Hagan 0-8, Fionnuala Carr 0-3, Sara Louise Graffin 0-3, Orla McCusker 0-2, Isabella O’Hare 0-1
Portaferry: Niamh Mallon 1-5, Sliodhna Coleman 1-0, Frances Toner 0-2, Ger McGrattan 0-1, Saoirse Sands 0-1.
Armagh Senior Camogie semi-finals: Granemore 1-16 Middletown 0-5; Ballymacnab 4-10 Tullysaran 1-8
IT'S nine years since Ballymacnab and Granemore met for the only time in an Armagh senior final, but it will happen again on September 16th after this week’s semi-finals produced clear cut wins for the pair.
Granemore were slow to settle in their tie with Middletown who registered the first two points and were still well in contention at half time when the teams turned around with at 0-5 to 0-3 advantage to Granemore.
However a couple of quick scores from Rachael Merry on the re-start were followed by a goal from Corrina Doyle and suddenly a gap had opened. Merry and Doyle then piled on the scores which were completed by a brilliant long range point from Ciara Hill.
The second semi-final saw holders Ballymacnab blitz Tullysaran in the opening half.
A hand-passed opening goal from Aoibhinn O’Hare was followed by an excellent overhead pull to the corner of the net from Ellie McKee and a brilliant solo goal from Laura Smyth.
Another goal just before the break from Eimear Smyth had sealed a final spot for Ballymacnab who led by 4-7 to 0-2.
Tullysaran to their credit responded well in the second half with a goal from Hannah Duffy and strong play from Siobhan Mackle, Eimear Hayes and Katie Convie and they outscored their opponents by 1-6 to 0-3. But there was never a chance that Ballymacnab would be overhauled.
Camogie Fixtures
ANTRIM
Wednesday Sep 9
Under 14 Div 2A Championship Final:
6.30pm in Randalstown: Rasharkin v Sarsfield’s-Naomh Eoin
Thursday Sep 10
Junior Shield Final:
6.30pm in MacRory Park: Naomh Éanna v Sarsfield’s
Thursday Sep 10 Intermediate Shield final
7pm in Ahoghill: Ahoghill v Loughgiel
Under 16 Div 2A Final replay: Saturday Sep 12
11am in Glenavy: Moneyglass v St Paul’s-Loch Mór
Intermediate Championship Final: Saturday Sep 12
4pm in St Enda’s: Tír na nÓg v Rossa
Junior Championship Final: Saturday Sep 12
4pm in Portglenone: Creggan v Naomh Eoin Bhéal Feirste
Senior Championship semi-finals: Saturday Sep 12
6pm in Armoy: Cushendall v Loughgiel
6pm in Ballymena: Dunloy v Ballycastle
DERRY
Derry Camogie Championships. All games to start at 6.45pm
Junior championship Wednesday Sep 9
(home venues)
Na Magha v Greenlough
Drum v Magherafelt
Intermediate championship Thursday Sep 10
Bellaghy: Ballinderry v Kilrea
Ballinascreen: Castledawson v Glen
Ballerin (TBC): Banagher v Eoghan Rua
Dungiven v Slaughtneil II (venue TBC)
Senior championship : Friday Sep 11
Greenlough: Bellaghy v Swatragh
Castledawson: Newbridge v Slaughtneil
