Rossa defeated but Ballycran have second bite at the cherry
Killimor edged out O’Donovan Rossa by 2-9 to 0-12 in Ballinasloe. Rossa had the better of it in the first half though, with Jane Adams the orchestrator. Kerrie O’Neill was also prominent and the Antrim girls were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead by the end of the first quarter.
That advantage might have been greater, as Gráinne Connolly missed a tremendous goal opportunity. That proved critical as Susan Keane struck at the other end just before half time to leave the Galwegians trailing by just two at the break, 0-8 to 1-3.
With their tails up, Killimor hit the first four scores of the second half courtesy of Martina Conroy (two), Keane and Ann-Marie Hayes. O’Donovan Rossa fought back, with a brace of points from Adams but Aisling Brehony’s scrambled goal put Killimor ahead once more.
Maorisa McGourty and Connolly came back once more with points that could well have been goals but Brenda Hanney eased Killimor’s nerves with two late points of her own. This was a game that Rossa could have won as captain Muirinn Quinn and centre back Natalie McGuinness were outstanding in the Rossa defence.
Ballycran have to do it all over again
Aislinn Connolly scored 11 points but that still wasn’t enough to give victory to Castlegar, with their pulsating semi-final against Ballycran finishing at 0-13 to 1-10 after extra time.
Ballycran led 0-5 to 0-2 at half time and should have been further ahead after a dominant display, with Catherine and Brid McGourty very prominent. Catherine McGourty and Naomi Morgan stretched the margin after the resumption and a Morgan goal looked to have secured it for the Down contingent.
Castlegar turned the game around with the next six scores, including Connolly’s equaliser in first minute of injury time from a 45m free tight to the sideline. She hit the first two points of extra time into the wind but Catherine McGourty and super sub, Nicola Torney rescued Ballycran. Emma Keith and captain Bríd McGrattan were outstanding in the Ballycran defence with Nicola Braniff and Bríd McGourty dangerous up front
Picture Courtesy of Caroline Quinn Photography. Report from from Camogie.ie
