Gailltir Return to Croke Park for All-Ireland Date after Win over Reigning Champions

After an agonising defeat to the same opposition in last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Club Final at Croke Park, Gailltir made no mistake on Sunday afternoon last when they rather easily accounted for the Down side at Clane in county Kildare and now advance to an All-Ireland Final against another side they will be familiar with Saint Rynagh’s from Offaly, the side that Sky Blues beat in last year’s semi finals.

The Sky Blues were always on top in this game and were in a position to take off some of their biggest stars in the closing minutes of this game, allowing fringe players the chance to maybe stake a place in the starting team for the Croke Park date on March 1.

Gailltir scored a goal inside a minute of this game Annie Fitzgerald finishing past Karen Haughey in the Clonduff goal. Sarah Louise Graffin pulled a point back for the Ulster side almost straight away, but it was followed up with points for the side in sky blues by two of the clubs greatest servants, Trish Jackman with a free on two minutes and Áine Lyng ten minutes later.

Patricia O’Hagan finished top scorer for the County Down side in this game and she opened her account on 14 minutes. Annie Fitzgerald one of the rising stars of the game in the Déise County pointed for the Sky Blues on 17 minutes putting her side into a comfortable 1-3 to 0-2 lead.

Patricia O’Hagan and Annie Fitzgerald swapped scores within a minute of each other keeping the Déise side four points (1-4 to 0-3) in front, but the 2019 All-Ireland Champions finished the half strong as Patricia O’Hagan shot over four unanswered points to draw the sides level 1-4 to 0-7 at the break.

Gailltir had a brilliant start to the second half as Anne Corcoran netted inside the opening minute and the side in sky blue and navy never looked back after this.

Patricia O’Hagan and Annie Fitzgerald swapped scores before Emer Walsh got her name on the score sheet. In a bid to get something from the game, the Damien Farnon sent on Katie McGilligan for Niohmi Murray. McGilligan was named to start but was replaced before the start by Orlaith McClusker. Aoife and Annie Fitzgerald added further scores for the Sky Blues increasing their lead to six (2-9 to 0-9) with time ticking down.

Gailltir in the time that remained continued to pile on the pressure on the down champions to run out winners by eight points and will travel to Croke Park in a few weeks time in a confident mode knowing that if they can replicate a performance like this, they will become the first Waterford female club team to win at G.A.A. Headquarters on All-Ireland Final day.

Gailltir: Ciara Jackman; Leah Sheridan, Margo Heffernan, Hannah Flynn; Emma Roche, Clodagh Carroll, Trish Jackman; Kate Lynch, Shauna Fitzgerald; Ciara O’Sullivan, Áine Lyng, Annie Fitzgerald; Anne Corcoran, Aoife Fitzgerald, Emer Walsh.

Subs: Róisín Flood for Anne Corcoran, Sorcha Cantwell for Emma Roche, Emily Mahony for Leah Sheridan.

Scorers: Annie Fitzgerald 1-5, Anne Corcoran 1-2, Aoife Fitzgerald 0-3, Áine Lyng, Trish Jackman, Emer Walsh 0-1 each.

Clonduff: Karen Haughey; Isabella O’Hare, Leanne Quinn, Niohmi Murray; Erin Rafferty, Fionnuala Carr, Claire McGilligan; Paula O’Hagan, Beth Fitzpatrick; Danielle Harrison, Cassie Fitzpatrick, Sarah Louise Graffin; Orla Gribben, Clara Cowan, Orlaith McCusker.

Subs: Katie McGilligan for Niohmi Murray.

Scorers: Patricia O’Hagan 0-10, Sarah Louise Graffin 0-1

Referee: Fintan McNamara (Clare)

 

*Information on the matched picked up from Ulster Camogie Twitter Page and from the Gailltir Club.