Cashel and Burgess/Duharra qualify for Tipperary county final

“

Tipperary Camogie notes

www.camogie.tipperary.gaa.ie

Senior Championship Semi Final

Cashel 1.15, Drom & Inch 2.05

Drom`s hopes of retaining their grip on the Senior title came to a shuddering halt last weekend when Cashel proved too strong in a game that had everything expected from these two great teams.

With the wind against them in the first half it was Cashel who settled faster, & at the 15 minute mark Cashel were 4 points up with Drom failing to score, but guilty of some disappointing wides. Also, a contributing factor of Cashel `s dominance in this period was the displays from Captain Una O Dwyer at full back, & Philly Fogartys display at centre back.

It finally fell to Joanne Ryan to register the champion’s first point, quickly followed by another & appointed free from Niamh Harkin to bring Drom back into the game & within a point of Cashel. Niamh Harkin, now working at centre back gave their half back line the strength they needed & her clearances were starting to find her forwards. Both teams exchanged points before Joanne Ryan raided down on Cashel `s goal only to see her effort saved by Helen Breen & out for a 45. However, Caitriona Shortt saw her 45 effort glide over the Cashel defence & into the back of the net to give the Drom girls a one point lead at half time.

Cashel came out in the 2^nd half with the wind in their backs & quickly set out their stall with points from Claire Grogan & Mairead Morrissey. Now playing in the half forward line for Drom, Joanne Ryan again made one of her trademark runs down the side of the field, & just when it looked as if she had ran out of room, she blasted from an impossible angle to the back of the Cashel net. Suddenly two points down Cashel responded when Cora Hennessy pointed, which was answered with a Drom point from Therese Shortt. Geraldine Kinane was now switched to full forward for Drom, & she was causing trouble for Cashel, but supply was at a premium.

The Cashel half back line were not giving anything easy, & with Jill Horan & Julie McGrath winning the mid field tussles, Drom`s last score came in the 15^th minute of the half. From there on it was all Cashel, & hitting 7 unanswered points in the last quarter, meant there was only going to be one result. Michele Shortt from Drom was outstanding, & her style of play is an example to any young girl on how to play the game.

Cashel on the day had the experience, & were able to make the most of their periods of dominance throughout the game, while Drom`s slow start came back to haunt them.

Cashel are now back into a County Final, & they will definitely want to make amends for their disappointing exit at semi final stage last year. Their opponents, Burgess/Duharra are equally as hungry for success. This will be their third appearance in five years, but have failed to taste success at this level. Both teams are full of top class Camogie players, so to say that we are in for a cracker next Sunday is an understatement. Throw in for this mouth watering tie is 3pm in the Camogie pitch The Ragg. The cream of Tipperary Camogie will be on display.

Camogie Notes;

What a busy weekend lies in store for the County Board & the County grounds in the Ragg next weekend, which could be dubbed County final weekend. First up on Saturday, October 10^th as part of the double header is the clash of Holycross & Moneygall in the Senior B County final. This is Holycross` first year in senior ranks, & they have contributed a number of players to the County Intermediate panel this year. Moneygall themselves are no stranger to this level, competing at senior level for a number of years, & they too have players who have worn the Tipperary jersey both Senior & Intermediate. Throw in for this game is 2pm.

Then, after the excitement, it will be the turn of Clonoulty & Lorrha to battle it out in the Junior A Championship County Final. Throw in for this game is scheduled at 4.30pm. Clonoulty, playing at this level for the first time, have adapted very well to this grade, & have already reached the league final earlier in the year. Loosing that final to Burgess galvanised their determination, & they put in a strong championship semi final display against Burgess to avenge that defeat. With Cait Devane making her Inter County Senior debut this year, & Bernadette Ryan being part of the Tipperary Junior Munster champions they have loads of experience in their ranks. Lorrha, also have been at this level for a few years, & came close to challenging for the title.

They too also have talent in their team with players featuring in various Inter County teams over the last few years. They are playing with a confidence this year that may have been absent in previous years, so they will be fully prepared for the challenges facing them. The winning team in this final will represent Tipperary in the Munster Championship when they will play the Cork champions away the following weekend. The full team lists will appear on the Camogie website, as will the view from each camp as they approach their biggest game of the year.

Then, on Sunday, October 11^th with a 3pm throw in, the Senior Championship County Final will kick off with Cashel & Burgess/Duharra doing battle. Both panels have an amazing array of talent & names that are instantly recognisable to anyone who remotely takes an interest in Tipperary Camogie. There are so many household names synonymous with Tipperary GAA & Camogie, that to miss out on this game would be a cardinal sin. Both teams will be available on the Camogie web site tonight (Thursday), as will views & thoughts from Burgess/Duharra chairman & selector Donie Nealon, & Cashel Manager John Grogan.

Safety message

Due to the large volume of traffic & supporters that will travel to the Ragg this weekend for all the County finals, patrons are asked to please co-operate fully with stewards & gate checkers. As parking in the grounds will be limited, patrons are asked to be careful when parking on the roadside, & to be conscience of  the safety of other road users. All participating teams will be issued with passes for players & mentors during the week. Please ensure that these are presented to the gate checkers on arrival to avoid any delay or confusion.

Last weekend also saw our County U14s win both the A & B grade in the Galway blitz, so their year has finished on a very successful note. Nenagh also celebrated last weekend when they overcame the challenge of Holycross in the U12B County Final.

“