An epic weekend of camogie unfolded as the two under-21 Roinn A semi-finals in the St Canice’s Credit union camogie championship plus the Leinster Intermediates were decided. The action began on Saturday as Mullinavat and Clara produced an all-time classic as they clocked up a staggering 15 goals between them in the first semi-final played in Ballyhale last Saturday afternoon.
Clara made the early running and they dominated the early stages as they led 2-4 to 0-3 by the 20th minute as Aisling Curtis and Niamh Byrne were pulling the strings.
However, Mullinavat like Clara displayed wonderful battling qualities all through and they drew level at 2-6 each at the interval inspired by the majestic Julie Anne Malone.
Goals from Leanne Fennelly and Michelle Quilty drew the South Kilkenny girls level, before making a whirlwind in the second-half as Malone who scored 4-2 began her goal fest, and Fennelly added a point as they suddenly opened up a four point advantage.
Clara though responded almost immediately with a Ciara Byrne goal before her sister Niamh pointed the equalising free — 3-7 each.
However, the ‘Vat girls re-asserted their dominance as Malone bagged her second goal and Fennelly and Quilty added further points to open up a five point gap — 4-9 to 3-7.
It was now Clara’s turn to enjoy a purple patch, as they added 2-1 without reply as they added goals from a Roisin Byrne penalty with sister Ciara completing her hat-trick of goals.
Julie Anne Malone and Niamh Byrne exchanged goals as the game entered the closing 10 minutes, before Byrne pointed a free after she was fouled to double the advantage — 6-8 to 5-9.
Mullinavat though took a stranglehold and three consecutive goals in a five minute spell appeared to seal their final spot.
Malone completed her four-timer, while she turned provider to set up Aine Kinsella for a well taken goal, with Michelle Quilty also hand-passing the sliothar into an empty net.
That flurry of goals gave Mullinavat a seven point lead, but Clara weren’t finished.
A Niamh Byrne point followed by an Aoife Murphy goal gave Clara hope, but unfortunately for them time ran out as Mullinavat held on for victory following an extraordinary contest that will live long in the memory.
The other semi-final played on Sunday morning also in Ballyhale, was a thriller without producing anywhere like the extraordinary events of the other semi-final.
Thomastown ran out 2-9 to 1-8 winners over Piltown, and their experience of winning last year’s final proved decisive during the closing 10 minutes.
Featuring the entire starting 15 minus the injured Kate McDonald, Thomastown led by 2-3 to 1-4 at the interval as goals from Catherine Walsh and Shelley Farrell gave them a four point lead at the interval.
However, they only scored 0-1 between the 15th and 50th minutes, as Piltown took over.
They practically owned possession during the third quarter as they led by 1-8 to 2-4, with Charlene Norris pointing three times from placed balls (including a ’45 ).
However and critically, Katie Power squandered two gilt-edged chances that would have opened up at least a three-point gap, and Thomastown were left hanging in there.
The under-21 champions added five unanswered points over the closing 10 minutes with the Farrell sisters Anna, Shelley and Megan all leading the way as they scored four of those points during that closing period to prevail victorious.
That under-21 final along with the under-21 B decider are scheduled for the weekend of November 14.
The B semi-finals scheduled for this weekend feature Rower-Inistigoe v St Annes and Lisdowney against Paulstown.
Meanwhile, Lisdowney made the short trip to Durrow as they faced a more experienced Harps outfit in the Leinster Intermediate decider.
Lisdowney gave it everything, but they obviously lacked the experience of the Durrow girls who won three consecutive All-Ireland junior titles from 2006-2008.
A thrilling battle dominated by defences saw the Durrow girls operated with the advantage of the opening half breeze.
They led 0-3 to 0-0 at the end of the opening quarter, but the Kilkenny Intermediate champions responded courtesy of a Sandra Gleeson goal as they led 1-2 to 0-3.
However, the Harps didn’t panic from that setback and they outscored Lisdowney 0-4 to 0-1 from the 20th minute until half-time as the Mahony’s Aine and Louise led the way.
The Harps were dominant during the third quarter and they stretched the lead further as they led 0-11 to 1-4 by the 45th minute.
Lisdowney were battling gallantly, but they found it difficult to breakdown a stubborn stonewall defence who were stronger physically.
However, Lisdowney kept plugging away and pointed frees from Claire Phelan narrowed the gap, but they couldn’t manufacture the vital scores needed to rescue the situation.
Disappointment for Lisdowney, but they can be proud of running one of the best club teams in recent years so close losing out 0-12 to 1-7.
Just like their opposite counterparts, their best performers were in defence with the full-back line of Claire Dunne, Tracey Brennan and Julia Mackey completely dominant while Eimear Mulhall gave an outstanding display when switched to centre-back for the second-half.
