Salthill Knocknacarra fell at the final hurdle when losing the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Camogie Championship final by 5-14 to 2-6 to St Rynagh’s of Offaly in Croke Park on Sunday.
It was always going to be a tough task for the Galway club. Not only were they up against the favourites and title holders - managed by Galwegian Mark Dunne alongside daughter and former Galway star Molly - but they were also missing joint captain Orla Callinan due to a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Siohan Flannery put the winners in front with the first of her two goals in the fifth minute, and when Emma Madden received her marching orders for a second yellow-card offence in the 22nd minute, there was no way back for the Galway outfit.
Dunne says Salthill deserved a lot of respect - "probably even more after the way they stuck at it in the end."
"We played some great stuff, but they had a player sent off in a very unlucky situation, but she’s a fantastic girl. I guarantee you, people are going to be hearing a lot more about that girl and she has done an awful lot to get the team here. I hope she doesn’t take that to heart and doesn’t let it knock her back. I think she’ll be stronger for it.“
Credit Salthill Knocknacarra for never giving up, and late goals from Aisling Griffin and Sorcha McGinley were due reward for their efforts, but Rynagh’s had so much speed and movement
Kate Kenny, who finished with 1-9, with only four points from placed balls, and Siobhán Flannery added second-half goals.
The Rynagh’s half-back line was in complete control, but Salthill's Vicky Flanagan made some tremendous saves to put a better gloss on the scoreline.
ST RYNAGH’S: E Gilligan, S Moran, E Sullivan, M Doorley, E Corcoran, G Dolan, K O’Connell, H Dolan, R Egan, L Sullivan, S Hanamy, M Daly, L Mannion, K Kenny, S Flannery. Subs: L Flannery for S Flannery (45 ), C O’Connell for Doorley (48 ), A O’Regan for Sullivan (48 ), A McLoughlin for H Dolan (52 ), R Daly for O’Connell (52 ).
SALTHILL-KNOCKNACARRA: V Flanagan, S Donnellan, E Madden, F Kelly, A Joyce, A Keane, C Murray, S Divilly, L Kelly, C Keane, A Griffin, J O’Flaherty, A Kelly, S McGinley, E Hayes. Subs: I Morrison for O’Flaherty (39 ), M Murray for Joyce (48 ), F O’Sullivan for Donnellan (52 ), H Hernon for A Kelly (59 ).
REFEREE: Barry Nea(Westmeath ).
