Féile gets off to a flying start
Champions Douglas got the defence of their Féile na nGael camogie title off to the best possible start with a comfortable victory over Camross (Laois).
Fielding 11 of the side that won the title for the first time last year, Douglas were always in control.
Inspired by the brilliance of Moira O’Donovan and Emma McCarthy, Douglas rattled in three first half goals to lead 3-1 to 0-1 at half time.
The Camross girls threatened a revival when Dawn Mortimer grabbed an early second half goal but the champions were never going to be beaten and the excellent Karen Horgan added 1-1 to put the seal on a splendid victory.
Out in Togher, St. Finbarr’s and St. Rynagh’s (Offaly) played a thrilling boys match with victory going to the home side by two points. The visitors took an early lead with a Damien McLoughlin goal but Barrs rallied strongly to lead 1-4 to 1-2 at the break.
The second half developed in to a tremendous battle as Barr’s, playing into the wind, were forced to defend their slender lead.
James Monagher gave them some relief when he blasted home a goal from a 20 metre free early into the second half but they were forced to defend stoutly as the Offaly champions came storming back.
Daniel Moloney , slipped over two points and in a welter of excitement Rynaghs got the deficit down a point and only some outstanding goalkeeping by David O’Gorman prevented them from going ahead.
The closing minutes were thrilling as Barrs clung to a one point lead before Monagher pointed a long free to give them a victory they just about deserved.
In other first round camogie games played, Thomastown (Kilkenny) proved far too good for Valley Rovers, while Inniscarra and St. Vincents (Dublin) played out a thrilling draw.
Glen Rovers (Cork) had two points to spare over a highly rated Turloughmore (Galway) while Ballyagran (Limerick) easily accounted for Eire Og (Cork).
In the boys event, Midleton and St. Annes (Wexford) played a thrilling draw in a low scoring game; One of the fancied teams, Na Piarsaigh (Cork) gave their namesakes from Limerick a hammering, winning by double scores, 1-15 to 2-3.
With their northside rivals Glen Rovers also winning, this morning’s clash between the clubs at Piarsaigh Grounds (11.45am) shouldn’t be missed. Dicksboro (Kilkenny) served notice that they will have a say in the destination of the Christy Ring trophy when they easily accounted for Carrigaline, while Ballygunner (Waterford) had a point to spare over Douglas in the same division, in a thriller.
Boys Division 1A - Midleton 0-7, St. Annes (Wexford) 2-1; Kilmnacud Crokes (Dublin) 3-7, Erins Own 1-0.
Division 1B - St. Finbarrs 2-5, St. Rynaghs 1-6; Blackrock 3-7, Eire Og (Clare) 2-0.
Division 1C - Dicksboro 2-8, Carrigaline 1-2; Ballygunner 0-5, Douglas 1-1.
Division 1D - Na Piarsaigh (Cork) 1-15, Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 2-3; Glen Rovers 2-5, Durlas Og 2-3.
Division 1E - Mallow 6-5, Ballyboden/St. Endas (Dublin) 1-4. Turloughmore (Galway) 3-9, Newtownshandrum 0-3.
Division 2A - Aghada 1-7, Kilmessan (Meath) 1-3; Carrigtwohill 1-5, Ballygalget (Down) 1-1.
Division 2B - St. Vincents 5-7, Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) 0-1; Naas (Kildare) 2-7, Killeagh/St. Itas 2-4.
Division 2C - Eire Og 6-10, Glenealy (Wicklow) nil; Cloughduv 5-5, Rathdowney (Laois 4-10).
Division 2D - Blarney 2-7, Bagnalstown (Carlow) nil; Sean Clarachs 4-5, Raharney (Westmeath) 3-5.
Division 2E - Sarsfields 3-8, Rour Roads (Roscommon) 0-2; Inniscarra 2-4, Loughgiel (Antrim) 1-4.
Division 2F - St. Brogans 5-5, Kilmoyley (Kerry) 0-5; Bishopstown 0-13, Ballinascreen (Derry) 2-4.
Division 3A - Youghal 4-5, Eire Og (Kildare) 0-1; Brian Dillons 1-3, Dungannon (Tyrone) 0-1.
Division 3B - Fermoy 3-11, Glenarrif (Antrim) 0-3; Ballinkillen (Carlow) 1-7, St. Catherines 0-7.
Division 3C - Kilta Og 2-7, Navan O’Mahonys (Meath) 3-1; Athleague/Tremane (Roscommon) 1-6, Fr. O’Neills 0-2.
Division 3D - Middletown (Armagh) 4-11, Newcestown 0-1; Causeway (Kerry) 4-6, Courcey Rovers 1-8.
Division 3E - Aghabullogue 1-3, Crookedwood (Westmeath) 1-3. Croke Rovers 7-10, Eire Og (Wicklow) 0-1.
Division 4A - Mayfield 2-5, Bredagh (Down) 1-0; Russell Rovers 3-17, Burt (Donegal) 0-1.
Division 4B - Sam Maguires 2-11, Carrigmore (Tyrone) 0-2. Kilbrittain 5-9, Toreen (Mayo) 1-4.
Division 4C - Valley Rovers 4-13, Knockbridge (Louth) 1-3; Ballinhassig 3-8, Cuchulainn (Armagh) 2-3.
Division 4D - St. Marks 6-9, Lurgan (Cavan) 1-1; Lavey (Derry) 2-10, Milford 1-4.
Division 5A - Carrignavar 10-5, Warwickshire nil. Castleblaney (Monaghan) 3-5, Kanturk 1-4.
Division 5B - Watergrasshill 4-14, Coolera/Strandhill (Sligo) 1-1; Castlelyons 2-16, Ballinamore (Leitrim) 1-1.
Division 5C - Glanworth 6-4, Kenmare (Kerry) 0-4; Ballygiblin 7-11, Lisbellow (Fermanagh) 1-1.
Division 5D - Kinsale 2-6, London 0-4. Kilmeen/Kilbree 1-7, Southern Gaels (Longford) 0-2 Camogie Division 1A - Ballinhassig 2-3, Rathnure (Wexford) 0-1; Thomastown (Kilkenny) 6-2, Valley Rovers 0-1.
Division 1B - Toomevara (Tipperary) 3-1, Ballincollig 1-1; Inniscarra 3-3, St. Vincents (Dublin) 2-6.
Division 1C - Glen Rovers 2-6, Turloughmore (Galway) 3-1; Milford 2-4, Clare 3-1.
Division 1D - Ballyagran (Limerick) 2-9, Eire Og 1-0. Douglas 5-4, Camross (Laois) 2-1.
Division 2A - Buttevant 5-6, Ballinascreen (Derry) 4-2; Aghabullogue 5-5, Lough Lane Gaels (Westmeath) 1-2.
Division 2B - Erins Own 2-4, Ballycran (Down) 2-3; Ballycastle (Antrim) 2-6, Blackrock 0-2.
Division 2C - Johnstown Bridge (Kildare) 6-3, Courcey Rovers 1-0. St. Patricks-Keady (Armagh) 3-0, Ballygarvan 1-0.
Division 2D - Carrigaline 4-3, Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly) 1-3; Rock Ban 1-1, Roscommon 0-1.
Division 3A - Brian Dillons 4-3, Castleblaney (Monaghan) 2-3; St. Finbarrs 15-3, Erin Go Brach (Birmingham) 0-0.
Division 3B - Bishopstown 2-0, Fr. O’Neills 1-0; Lismore (Waterford) 15-4, Newcestown 0-0.
Division 3C - Myshall (Carlow) 4-6, Sarsfields 2-0; Killeagh 10-8, Kiltegan (Wicklow) 1-2.
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