Oulart power through to All Ireland Club Final

Wins for senior club Oulart the Ballagh, defending Intermediate champions Eoghan Rua and Galway Intermediate side Ardrahan in the All Ireland club semi-finals played this afternoon.

Wexford’s All-Ireland winning captain and goal-scoring heroine, Ursula Jacob scored a remarkable 1-16 as Oulart-The Ballagh proved much too strong for Loughgiel in the All-Ireland senior club camogie semi-final.

Loughgiel never stopped trying and Racquel McCarry’s goal in the first minute of the second half was an example of their bravery, but they found Oulart’s all-round strength too much to deal with.

The Leinster representatives were outstanding in defence but Jacob’s sensational contribution was the major talking point of the game, which ended at 3-22 to 1-2.

Jacob found the net very early on and was unerring from play and placed balls thereafter. Una Leacy found the net eight minutes before the break and it was always going to be very difficult for Loughgiel from then on.

It was more of the same after the resumption, with Aideen Brennan adding a third goal and Jacob continuing to raise white flags.

Meanwhile, in the intermediate championship, Ardrahan edged a wonderful contest at Fraher Field, finishing strongly to book their place in the final thanks to a 1-10 to 1-8 victory over Lismore.

The Galwegians got off to a good start with a second minute point by Keelin Shaughnessy but Lismore settled into the game well with scores from Aoife Hannon and Caitriona McGlone.

Ardrahan were awarded a penalty in the tenth minute and goalkeeper Sara Skehill made the long journey to the other end of the field pay full dividends by slamming her shot to the net.

Undeterred, Lismore fired back with a goal of their own five minutes later courtesy of Waterford star Nicola Morrissey. She added a point and with Hannon converting a free, Lismore appeared to have the whip hand.

Points from Aisling Brennan and Aoife Callanan restored the winners’ advantage at the break but once more, Lismore showed their character to be level with ten minutes remaining.

However, Callanan was able to retain her composure over a couple of pressure-laden frees to snatch the victory for Ardrahan.

That sets up a date with champions Eoghan Rua, who repeated their All-Ireland victory over The Harps in a gritty encounter.

Joe Passmore’s charges were thankful to Gráinne McGoldrick for their progress, as the star attacker contributed all bar one point of her side’s tally in a 1-8 to 1-5 win.

The goal helped her side lead by 1-4 to 0-4 at half time and further points gave them sufficient breathing space to render Aisling Phelan’s late goal of statistical interest only.

All-Ireland senior club semi-final

Oulart-The Ballagh 3-22

Ursula Jacob 1-16(0-8fs, 0-3 45s); Aideen Brennan 1-2; Una Leacy 1-1; Sharon Kehoe 0-2; Louise Sinnott 0-1

Loughgiel 1-2

Racquel McCarry 1-0; Emma McMullan 0-2(45s)

 All Ireland senior club semi-final

Killimor v Drom/Inch postponed due to unplayable pitch. Game on Feb 12th, 2.00pm in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

All-Ireland intermediate club semi-finals

Ardrahan 1-10

Aoife Callanan 0-5(4fs); Sara Skehill 1-0(pen); Rachel O’Toole 0-2; Keelin O’Shaughessy, Aisling Brennan (f), Brenda Kerins 0-1 each

Lismore 1-8

Aoife Hannon 0-4(3fs, 45); Nicola Morrissey 1-1, Rachel Whelan 0-2, Caitriona McGlone 0-1

Eoghan Rua 1-8

Grainne McGoldrick 1-7, Grace McMullan 0-1

The Harps 1-5

Louise Mahony 0-3(1f, 1 45); Aisling Phelan 1-0; Aine Mahony 0-2(1f)