After 150 minutes split over two games, Clarinbridge were eventually crowned the Windows and Rooflights LTD Senior B Champions when they overcame Salthill/Knocknacarra in Gort on Sunday after two periods of extra time.
The sides could not be separated throughout the two days but Clainbridge did come strong in the second period of extra time to secure the victory and make up for last year's disappointment.
Clarinbridge got off to the dream start in the opening minute with 1-1 through Niamh Niland. Laura Kelly, Salthill/Knocknacarra’s top scorer and only scorer in the first half, got them off the mark by the fifth minute when she pointed two frees.
Carrie Dolan got her first placed ball of the day on the sixth minute, but Kelly replied with two more frees to bring the deficit to one by the 12th minute. Kelly and Dolan swapped two more frees each before the end of the half as Clarinbridge went in 1-4 to 0-6 in front at the break.
While Clarinbridge had a dream start to the first half, Salthill/Knocknacarra had the dream start to the second half. They held Clarinbridge scoreless for 15 minutes while Kelly pointed two frees.
A long ball in on the 38th minute found the Salthill/Knocknacarra full-forward, Aoibhe Dillion and Dillion laid off the pass to the oncoming Sorcha McGinley who blasted it to the back of the net. Salthill/Knocknacarra were reduced to 14 players a minute later when Fionnuala Roarty received a second yellow card. 1-1 for Clarinbridge through a goal from Emma Deely and a Niland point had the sides level again by the 48th minute. Two Kelly frees were cancelled out by two Dolan frees late on to leave the sides level at 2-7 to 1-10 at the end of normal time.
The first period of extra time saw Salthill/Knocknacarra with a two point lead through two Kelly frees with seven minutes remaining. But Dolan hit late again on the 17th and 19th minutes with two more frees to force the sides to a second period of extra time. Clarinbridge got a second breeze scoring 1-5 in this period through Niland (0-2 ), Dolan (0-2F ), Deely (0-1 ) and a goal from Siobhán Carr as it finished 3-14 to 1-12.
The experience of some key county players like Dolan and Niland was pivotal to Clarinbridge’s victory and the final ten minutes of the game.
For Clarinbridge, they now get the reward of Senior A Camogie for 2025. Their grit and determination to grind out the victory will stand to them in the higher ranks next year.
For Salthill Knocknacarra, there will be bitter disappointment. This marks three county final losses in four years for the city side. Each player left everything on the pitch and the final score line does not reflect their strong performance throughout.
The 2024 Windows and Rooflights LTD Senior B final is one that will go down in the record books for Galway Camogie.
