Leinster Senior Camogie Final

Leinster Senior Camogie Final

Wexford 2-16

Offaly 0-9

Offaly could not have faced a sterner test of their senior credentials than coming up against the reigning All Ireland champions Wexford on Sunday (May 15th) at St Judes in Dublin.

Joachim Kelly’s charges have surged from the Junior ranks and, after claiming the Intermediate title last year, rightly take their place among the games elite.

However, the Model County are a very focused and steely outfit who stamped their authority on the game in the second half.

The Faithful more than matched their Leinster rivals in the opening excahnges as their captain Elaine Dermody converted two frees inside five minutes. Despite playing into the wind Wexford hit back through Katrina Parrock and BrÝd Gordon.

It was a case of giving as good as you got for the senior newcomers at this stage and Ailsa Hughes, Ursula Jacob and Dermody exchanged scores before Linda O’Sullivan edged the Midlanders two up.

Unfortunately that would be their last score of the half as Wexford hit five unanswered scores against the elements. Ursula Jacob was on target three times with Lenny Holohan and Kate Kelly also getting in on the act. The score stood 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval.

After the restart it was first blood to Offaly thanks to Dermody but they were soon trailing further as Una Leacy, on for the injured Holohan, hit 1-1 in quick succession. Dermody and Jacob swapped free as Offaly trailed by six.

Siobhan Flannery hit the next score for Offaly before Emma Dunne got what would prove to be their last point of the match with over ten minutes left to play. Wexford’s strength in depth began to show as their fresh legs proved too much for the opposition.

Katrina Parrock fired over with Una Leacy tapping another point before fellow substitute Fiona Kavanagh got her side’s second goal with less than five minutes left in the game. There was still time for Leacy, Parrock and Louise Codd to add points.

WEXFORD: Mags D’Arcy; Claire O’Connor, Catherine O’Loughlin, Karen Atkinson; AÝne Codd, Mary Leacy, Deirdre Codd; Kate Kelly 0-1, Michelle O’Leary; BrÝd Gordon 0-1, Ursula Jacob 0-5 (4f), Josie Dwyer 0-1; Katrina Parrock 0-3, Lenny Holohan 0-1, Evelyn Quigley.

Subs: Una Leacy 1-3 for Holohan (h/t), Fiona Kavanagh 1-0 for Quigley (40mins), Noeleen Lambert for A Codd (40mins), Louise Codd 0-1 for Jacob (50mins), Bernie Holohan for O’Connor (50mins)

OFFALY: Michelle Gleeson; Fiona Stephens, Lorraine Keena, Karen Brady; Sheila Sullivan, Michaela Morkan, Debbie Flynn; Tina Hannon, Marion Crean; Linda Sullivan 0-1, Arlene Watkins, Siobhßn Flannery 0-1; Jean Brady, Elaine Dermody 0-5 (4f); Ailsa Hughes 0-1.

Subs: Emma Dunne 0-1 for Debbie Flynn (h/t), Aoife Kelly for Brady (39mins), RoisÝn Coughlan for Stephens (48mins), Triona McDonald for Sullivan (57mins).

REFEREE: Karl O’Brien (Dublin)

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