Limerick took their first ever Senior All-Ireland Camogie championship title in ideal conditions yesterday in the Gala All-Ireland Senior B decider at Pßirc UÝ Rinn.
Last weekend it took a last gasp equaliser from Niamh Mulcahy to snatch a draw and she was once again an influential player in this game with two points, while also taking the Player of the Match award.
The visitors began this game very strongly and had the ball in the back of the Cork net after just a minute when top-scorer Eileen O’Brien blasted home from 10 yards.
It took Cork 10 minutes to open their account with a point from Deirdre Twomey but Limerick suddenly went five points clear thanks to excellent scores from O’Brien and Mulcahy to ensure a 1-3 to 0-1 score-line after 21 minutes.
The Rebels weren’t going to give up easily and forced the Limerick defence to commit fouls, with Eimear O’Sullivan slotting over three resulting frees in the closing ten minutes of the half. However Limerick held a 1-3 to 0-4 interval advantage.
Cork could have broken in front by this stage but for an excellent save by Limerick goalkeeper Sile Moynihan following an opening half penalty.
Limerick resumed well on the restart with quick points from Eileen O’Brien and Orla Curtin but once again it was Eimear O’Sullivan who kept the home-side in touch from placed balls.
Just two points separated the sides with 11 minutes remaining with Linda Dorgan and Aisling Thompson among those trying hard for Cork. However Limerick began to play out of their skins once again and following points from substitute Marie Keating and Mulcahy, they broke through for a goal.
Orla Curtin hit the back of the net with three minutes remaining after she cut loose on the left wing and scooped the ball up and blasted straight to the net.
A late Maeve Nash point sealed victory and Limerick’s first ever Senior success.
SCORERS:
LIMERICK – E O’Brien 1-4 (1f, 1 45); O Curtin 1-1; N Mulcahy 0-2; M Keating, M Nash 0-1 each.
CORK – E O’Sullivan 0-5 (5f); D Twomey 0-1
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