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Mullinavat 2-10 Thomastown 0-6 Report here...
St Lachtains 6-17 Windgap 5-4 Report here...
Intermediate Semi Final Dicksboro 3-9 Paulstown 2-7 Report here...
Hectic weekend as senior and inter championships reach semi stage
St. Lachtains v Windgap. Sunday at 1.30pm
Mullinavat v Thomastown Sunday 2nd October at 4.30pm
Piltown v Tullaroan. Saturday 1st October at 5pm
Dicksboro v Paulstown. Sunday 2nd October at 11am
Tullogher v Danesfort. Sunday 2nd October at 12pm
O’Loughlin Gaels v Conahy Shamrocks. Sunday 2nd October at 3pm
Camogie preview
By Michael O’Leary
Another hectic weekend of club camogie action in Kilkenny as the semi-finals of the St. Canices Credit Union Senior and Intermediate championships will be played along with the semi-final of the Junior A championship between Tullogher and Danesfort, and the Junior Championship B final between O’Loughlin Gaels and newcomers Conahy Shamrocks.
Two intriguing Senior semi-finals in prospect are in store on Sunday in the most competitive championship for several years, following a decade plus long standing dominance of St. Lachtains who won every county senior championship – except 2002 – between 1998 and 2009.
At 1.30pm, Windgap who were unlucky to lose out in the Senior league final to Thomastown play St. Lachtains at the last four stage for the third consecutive year, while at 4.30pm league champions Thomastown play defending senior champions Mullinavat.
On Saturday evening, the first of the Intermediate semi-finals take place as Piltown play Tullaroan, while on Sunday morning at 11am the second Intermediate semi-final goes ahead between Dicksboro and Paulstown.
St. Canices Credit Union Senior semi-finals
St. Lachtains v Windgap. Sunday at 1.30pm
St. Lacthains were heartbroken following a last gasp strike from Leanne Fennelly and Mullinavat in last years county senior final, and earlier in the year, they unexpectedly flirted with relegation following three straight defeats to Lisdowney, St. Martins and Mullinavat. However, the year has improved following consecutive victories over St. Brigids and St. Martins, and they will fancy their chances in Sunday’s semi-final.
A number of the younger players have been given chances to establish themselves following the retirement of some of the club stalwarts who have given sterling service for several years. The Freshford still possess a wealth of experience in their ranks like Anne Dalton, Deirdre Delaney, Aoife Fitzpatrick, and ace-poacher Marie O’Connor.
Windgap have lost out to St. Lachtains in the last two semi-finals, but they are a young team whose graph is on an upward curve, and no doubt they are closer to the top level than the previous two years in their year competing in the senior ranks.
They were naturally disappointed to lose out in the league final to Thomastown, and a more attacking approach during the final quarter when they operated in a more conservative mode may have seen the result swung in their favour. Victory over Mullinavat in the league semi-final is an indication of their rise up the ladder, and they will fancy their chances next Sunday.
The gap will be hungry and determined to reach a county final, but Sunday’s match will be a battle royal. The display of ace forward Denise Gaule next Sunday maybe decisive to the outcome. It should be a close contest, but Windgap’s hunger may prove significant following an epic battle.
Verdict: Windgap narrowly
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Mullinavat v Thomastown Sunday 2nd October at 4.30pm
The defending Senior champions against the league champions who are a young team on the rise. Mullinavat displayed inconsistency earlier in the year. Victories over St. Lachtains (Freshford) and St. Martins were followed in their respective matches by a shock defeat at home to Lisdowney, and relinquishing their league crown in losing to Windgap in the semi-final. However, the Vegas ladies returned to their very best mood easily dismantling Lisdowney 5-16 to 2-4.
The return of Leanne Fennelly following her Summer adventure in the USA has added naturally greater potency to their attack, and with the Aylward sisters Elaine, Sinead, Michelle Quilty, plus youngsters Julie Anne Malone and Aine Kinsella in their ranks, they form a strong backbone.
Thomastown recorded their first league title success in defeating Windgap in a thriller, and their senior silverware success was just reward for a group of players who have won all before them at under-14, under-16, minor and under-21 level.
They will feel confident they can go all the way at championship level in the not too distant future. There is a feeling they may have over-celebrated their league title success. If that’s the case, Mullinavat can take full advantage.
Verdict: Mullinavat
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St. Canices Credit Union Intermediate Championship semi-finals
Piltown v Tullaroan. Saturday 1st October at 5pm
Piltown recovered from their mauling against Dicksboro in the league semi-final as they defeated St. Annes in an epic thriller two weeks ago. Katie Power made her re-appearance having been inactive all Summer long, and unusual for she slotted into the goalkeeping position no doubt as a precaution as to not allow her risk injury if she played in the attacking division.
Piltown were at full strength unlike the Boro league semi-final drubbing, and they will fancy their chances of reaching an Intermediate final. The last 3 junior champions represent the four semi-finalists on show in this years Intermediate semi-final. Tullaroan have been lying low for at least 5 weeks since their absorbing 14-goal 3 point victory over Paulstown in the league semi-final. 8-8 to 6-11.
They are a talented young side with winners throughout the team. Girls like Grace and Miriam Walsh, and Noelle Maher used to winning All-Irelands at colleges level with Loreto. Piltown have the advantage of a recent competitive game, and there is a concern of lack of competitive match practice against Tullaroan.
However, Tullaroan are a better more balanced through and they can shade a close game.
Verdict: Tullaroan
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Dicksboro v Paulstown. Sunday 2nd October at 11am
This is another compelling semi-final to look forward to. Dicksboro like Tullaroan because of the league final not going ahead have been lying low for the past 5 weeks. Paulstown easily defeated an under strength Rower-Inistioge, so they have the advantage of a recent game.
The Boro ladies haven’t played since their hammering of an under-strength Piltown in the league semi-final at the end of August. Another close game, and Paulstown will look to the fortunes of Inter-county senior Collette Dormer along with talented forward Eilish Cantwell to aid them into a county final. The fact that Paulstown have had that recent game may just work to their advantage.
Verdict: Paulstown
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St. Canices Credit Union Junior Championship Roinn A semi-final
Tullogher v Danesfort. Sunday 2nd October at 12pm
Danesfort had a very good league campaign before losing out to Young Irelands (Gowran) in the league final, while Tullogher are a team with considerable experience. They defeated Mooncoin in the quarter-final, and despite a poor league campaign by their standards, they will fancy their chances of Junior success.
Danesfort are going well with the minors reaching the county B final last weekend, and a number of those players involved with the Junior panel also like Rachel Hogan and Jennifer Cunningham. Tullogher are much more experience featuring the likes of county senior goalkeeper Catriona Ryan, Siobhan Murphy, Linda Cotterell, and the strong powerful presence at full-forward of cousin Joanne. It will prove decisive.
Verdict: Tullogher
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St. Canices Credit Union Junior B Championship Final
O’Loughlin Gaels v Conahy Shamrocks. Sunday 2nd October at 3pm
O’Loughlin Gaels are the defending Junior B champions and they brushed aside the challenge of Carrickshock with consummate ease to reach the county final again, while Conahy Shamrocks in their year of existence as an adult Camogie club defeated Emeralds to reach the junior decider.
The Buckley sisters Stephanie and Sarah are prominent players for the city outfit, while hard-working Aoife Nolan is a twice All-Ireland colleges medal winner with Loreto. By contrast Conahy are backboned by the O’Keeffe, and Corrigan sisters along with former All-Ireland medal winner Mairead Lawlor. They will give it their best shot, but O’Loughlins is further down the line and they should retain the junior crown.
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