Moneygall's Munster foray ended at the first hurdle by strong Kerry opposition

AIB Munster Camogie Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Final 

Moneygall 1-9

Clanmaurice (Kerry) 2-16 

By Liam Hogan

Despite a solid third-quarter recovery Moneygall’s hopes of adding a Munster Intermediate title to their County title, won two weeks ago, came to an end when a stronger Clanmaurice team recovered in the last quarter to take their place in the final.

The game was overshadowed somewhat by a dispute over a clash of fixtures with Abbeydorney Ladies football team playing at the same time as some of the girls on the camogie team. The football game was put back two hours but still posed a problem and divided loyalties occurred with Caoimhe Spillane opting for football and Laura Collins and Amy O’Sullivan taking their place in Moneygall.

Both Collins and O’Sullivan played big parts in the win as they lined out on the right flank of the Clanmaurice attack. There was more as the starting six forwards scored from play with Patrice Diggin the lead scorer on 0-6 with five points from placed balls.

She was the leader of the attack at centre forward during the first half before she resorted to playing sweeper in the second half. Elsewhere Aoife Behan excelled at midfield when scoring three points from play with her partner Danielle O’Leary while Niamh Leen had their moments at six as did Sara Murphy at three.

However, the winners, who are really a barony with seven clubs represented, were somewhat under pressure in defence at times as the Moneygall front six created danger but all too infrequent with Mairead Teehan the standout player while Niamh Larkin also posed a threat with Ciara Maher, Mary Ryan, and Lauren Maher having their moments.  

However, as the game developed it became evident that both sets of forwards had the upper hand in the opening minutes. First there were points by Laura Collins and Amy O’Sullivan inside the opening two and a half minutes. 

Two minutes later Caithlyn Tracy pointed her first free after play was called back when Mairead Teehan and Niamh Larkin had combined to create danger but nothing accrued. If anything the attack indicated what Moneygall inside the forward line could do.

Likewise, the opposition inside line were equally dangerous as Amy O’Sullivan and Laura Collins combined for the latter to score. In response, Mairead Teehan drew a foul at the other end and Treacy pointed her second free in the seventh minute.

However, the next fourteen minutes saw a more classy side score 1-8 without reply beginning with quick points by midfielder Aoife Behan followed by another from corner forward Jullianne O’Keeffe.

Full forward Jackie Horgan got in the act with a point. In the 13th minute, a move involving the midfield partnership of Behan and O’Leary put Laura Collins through before she drew the cover for Amy O’Sullivan to find the net.

There was more as the Clanmaurice girls surged forward and a splendid point by Behan followed by a pointed free by Diggin before Jack Horgan scored a brilliant point from the right wing and under pressure. That point by the full forward had seen the full forward line combine to score 104 from play.

Close in frees by Treacy (Moneygall) and Diggin  led to a mis timed puckout by Moneygall which allowed Ann Marie Leen to score and the winners' front six had scored. Play was approaching half time by now but Moneygall had time for another Tracy free which left the interval score reading Clanmaurice 1-11 Moneygall 0-4.

 Second half

Clanmaurice increased their lead with a very good point by Patrice Diggin inside ninety seconds.   Ninety seconds later Moneygall replied with another Treacy free. 

Then four minutes in, they were back in the game where another fine touch by Niamh Larkin allowed her link with Mairead Teehan who broke clear of the Kerry defence and fire low past the Clanmaurice keeper. 

Both Diggin and Treacy swapped frees before Mairead Teehan scored Moneygall’s first point from play in the 44th minute. Four minutes later another foul on Teehan drew a free and Treacy’s latest free had Moneygall four in arrears and at a stage where a comeback was very possible.

Clanmaurice should have been worried and their defensive style with Patrice Diggin as sweeper was not working too well as the Moneygall defence, helped by Julie Kirwan, Shauna Kirwan, and Stephenie Kenny could mop up at pleasure.

But that changed in an instant when Amy Sullivan found space but Eimear Ryan was equal to her shot. Moneygall failed to clear and a resulting attack before Clanmaurice had their sixth wide.

Seconds later, they came again with Diggin moving forward before linking up with Amy Sullivan in turn finding Jackie Horgan who fired low to the net giving Eimear Ryan no chance. With Aoife Behan adding a point the pendulum was clearly swinging back in the Kerry side’s favour.

The subs bench broke up the play but Clanmaurice made a profit as two more Diggin frees set them on the road to the final when they hope to retain after defeating Shannon Rovers in last year’s decider.

Scorers: Moneygall: Catelyn Treacy (0-9, 0-8f); M Teehan 1-0.

Clanmaurice: Patrice Diggin (0-6, 0-5f); Jackie Horgan 1-2; Amy O’Sullivan 1-2; Aoife Behan 0-3; Laura Collins 0-2; Julianne O’Keeffe, Ann Marie Leen 0-1 each.

Moneygall: Eimear Ryan; Katie Hayes, Stephanie Kenny, Alice Maher; Mary Teehan, Julie Kirwan, Shauna Kirwan; Mary Ryan, Lauren Maher; Edwina King (Capt), Ciara Maher, Caithlyn Treacy; Niamh Larkin (Vc), Orlaith Treacy, Mairead Teehan.

Subs used: Emma Costello for Larkin (53); Amy Ryan for Hayes (54); Maria Maher for Alice Maher (57); Orlaith Cleary for C Maher (58).

Clanmaurice: Aoife Fitzgerald; Rachel McCarthy, Sra Murphy, Michelle Costello; Kate Lynch, Niamh Leen, Aine O’Connor; Aoife Behan, Danielle O’Leary; Laura Collins, Patrice Diggin, Ann Marie Leen; Amy O’Sullivan, Jackie Horgan, Julianne O’Keeffe.

Subs used: Elaine Ryall for Julianne O’Keeffe (52); Julianne O’Keeffe for Horgan (59).

Referee: Fintan McNamara (Clare)