Munster Title Number 5 For Lismore Girls

On Saturday last November 18th all roads lead to the Cork Camogie Grounds at Mahon when Lismore Senior Camogie Team were taking on Cork Rivals Newcestown in the refixed Munster Intermediate Final. The Lismore girls were going into this game as favourites as they were contesting their sixth Munster Final since 2010 having already won four titles. 

The game commenced and it was Aoife Hannon who opened the scoring in this game with a free on four minutes and a minute later Caithriona McGlone scored the Waterford clubs second point from play.

But Lismore’s lead was a short lived one as Newcestown came roaring back with points from Meabh O’Donovan and Colleen Twomey from a free on six and eight minutes and they took the lead a minute later when Therese McCarthy put the sliotar just over the reach of Tanya Morrissey.

But it was Lismore who was the dominant tea for the remainder of the opening half and hit back with a hat trick of points all from frees off the hurley of Aoife Hannon between the 10 and 18 minutes.

It was Newcestown's Collette Desmond tried for the games opening goal on 20 minutes but she saw her effort tipped round the post by Tanya Morrissey for a ’45 and from the placed ball Coleen Twomey shot wide. The same player shot for goal two minutes later but was once more denied as Lismore's corner back Sarah Coughlan put the sliotar out for another 45 and this time Coleen Twomey shot wide once more.

Caithriona McGlone edged Lismore further in front on 26 minutes with a point from play and two minutes later, the same player got inside the Newcestown defence from an inch perfect pass from Grainne Kenneally  and she made no mistake putting the sliotar past the Newcestown keeper Orla Dineen. This raised the spirits of the Lismore side as it put some daylight between the sides going in at half time with the score reading Lismore 1-6 Newcestown 0-4.

Newcestown in the second half put a lot of pressure on the Lismore defence. Very early in the half Suzanne Deasy dropped a long range free in around the Lismore goal but the Lismore defence were able to deal with it comfortably and bring the ball out of defence.

Shona Curran extended her sides lead with a point on 33 minutes. Two minutes later Colleen Twomey put a 45 wide, but made up for it 3 minutes later when she put over a free. On 40 minutes she again struck another free but was again off target.

Aoife Hannon edged Lismore further in front on 41 minutes with another free, her fifth of the game before Collette Desmond now on free taking duty put over her first placed ball at the end of the third quarter.

 

With 9 minutes to go Aoife Hannon again split the Newcestown posts, but it was followed by a period of continued Newcestown pressure,

Ciara O’Sullivan pointed with six minutes to go and three minutes later Collette Desmond again found the range with a placed ball.

Suzanne Deasy had an effort on the hour mark taken off the line by Shona Curran and a minute later the same Newcestown player shot wide from a placed ball.

Three minutes into stoppage time Aoife Hannon ensured that victory would be Lismore’s when she pointed from a free and while the Tipperary official found further time to add on, try as they might Newcestown were unable to breach the Lismore defence and even with the last play of the afternoon they were unable to get past Tanya Morrissey who made an excellent save.

Lismore wing back Marie Russell was presented with the Player of the Match award after the game. Also Tanya Morrissey and her six backs were outstanding on the day while Aoife Hannon’s free taking was impeccable under pressure on the day.

Lismore: Tanya Morrissey; Sarah Coughlan, Shauna Prendergast, Ellen Curran; Aoife Houlihan, Shauna Kiernan, Marie Russell; Shona Curran, Sharon Williams; Ruth Geoghegan, Grainne Kenneally, Nicola Morrissey; Johanna Houlihan, Caitriona McGlone, Aoife Hannon. 

Scorers: Aoife Hannon 0-7 (7f), Caithriona McGlone 1-2, Shona Curran 0-1.

Substitutions; Sinead Bennett for Aoife Houlihan, Emma Power Johanna Houlihan

Remainder of Panel; Clodagh Walsh,Becky McGlone, Robyn Roche, Emily Heneghan, Izabela Markiewicz, Shauna O Keeffe, Lorna Foley, Jane Russell Sinead Walsh and Alice Russell.

Team Trainer; Brendan Landers

Selectors; Geraldine Barry and Kate Heneghan

Physical Trainer; Mark McConnell

Physio; Colin Walsh First Aid; Eilish McGlone

Water/Hurley Carriers; Dylan Conway, Clodagh Landers, Jane Landers and Laura Buckley

Newcestown: Orla Dinneen; Mary McSweeney, Rose Desmond, Aisling O’Donovan; Maeve Lynch, Suzanne Deasy, Alison Crowley; Zerica Griffen, Evelyn Crowley; Maria Kenneally, Therese McCarthy, Meabh O’Donovan; Ciara O’Sullivan, Colleen Twomey, Collette Desmond. Subs: Amy Murray for Maria Kenneally (HT), Hilda O’Mahony for Therese McCarthy (51), Keelin Barrett for Alison Crowley (56), Emma Murray for Colleen Twomey (65).

Scorers: Colleen Twomey 0-3 (2F), Collette Desmond 0-2 (1F), Meabh O’Donovan, Therese McCarthy, Ciara O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Referee: T.P O’Sullivan (Tipperary)

Lismore's team captain Nicola Morrissey was presented with the Trixy Toomey Cup from Munsters Chairperson John Foley and Nicola in her speech thanked her team mates along with the team management and backroom staff. She thanked the match officials and Cork camogie board for their field which was in great condition. It was on to celebrations when the team were greeted at Hornibrooks Garage where the local Firebrigade was on standby to escort the team in a large convoy of cars through the town. It was then on to Foleys on the Mall where proprietor Eugene Lyons sponsored the team with a lovely meal which was very well appreciated by the hungry players . Then it was on to team sponsor The Red House to continue the celebrations until long into the night .

The Club would like to thank Eugene Lyons for meal, Mike O Leary of the Red House for his continued support of the team and the many supporters who traveled in large numbers to support the girls on the day.

The girls will now play in the AIB All Ireland Intermediate Club Final which will take place on Sunday January 28th against the Galway Champions Athenry