Barrs and De La Salle set up historic final

Saturday week will be a historic occasion when St Finbarr’s and De La Salle appear in the Munster camogie final for the first time.

Munster Club Camogie Championships 2025 - Joy for St Finbarr’s after they beat Newcastle West in the AIB Club Championship semi-final at Togher, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

The St Finbarr’s club was in ecstasy on Saturday afternoon following their whirlwind two-point victory over Newcastle West in the AIB Munster club senior camogie championship semi-final. Put to the pin of their collar by the visitors, it took almost 100 minutes for the winner to be decided, 2-19 to 3-14 after double extra-time.

Saturday week (November 22) will be a historic occasion when both St Finbarr’s and De La Salle - the Waterford champions overcame Thurles Sarsfields 2-21 to 3-16 in a thriller also on Saturday - appear in the final for the first time.

Following 20 minutes of extra-time, this epic showdown finished 2-16 to 3-13. In the end, it was Ciara Golden, Orlaith Cahalane and Sorcha McCartan points that got them over the line.

Rebecca Delee was the sole reply for Newcastle West in the 10 minutes of extra-extra-time.

No shortage of class either on the excellent St Finbarr’s pitch, where Kate Ambrose struck 2-7 for Newcastle West and McCartan registered 1-9 for St Finbarr’s.

“We weren’t expecting anything less from Newcastle West,” said St Finbarr’s Brian O’Sullivan, the manager was red-carded in extra-time. “Newcastle West had a fantastic win over Inagh Kilnamona. Limerick champions for the last three years, they came down here with the shackles off.

“In fairness to our girls, things are going to be thrown at you and the conditions leant to a physical battle but that’s fine too. They have that work done and that is testament to our S&C coach Dylan Byrne and our own coaches.” 

McCartan’s goal was the difference at the break, 1-7 to 0-8.

Having been level five times in the opening half, the sides wouldn’t be tied again until Kate Ambrose’s 64th minute goal from a 50 metre free that went all the way to the net (2-10 apiece).

In the meantime, Eimear Hurley’s green flag had put the Barrs six clear but Newcastle West’s first major from Karen O’Leary kept them afloat.

They were, however, left to regret a 42nd minute penalty from Delee that was saved by Ciara Hurley.

Extra-time was neck and neck. The first period in favour of the away team, 2-13 to 2-12.

Kate Ambrose raided Newcastle West’s third goal, which meant Keeva McCarthy had to convert a free from the right flank to force two periods of five minutes extra-time.

The exciting finale went the Barrs’ way.

The outcome was a massive disappointment to Newcastle West manager Mike Quaid, but he could see the positives.

“It is an understatement that they died with their boots on. I thought it was an outstanding game of camogie, great advertisement from both sides. Shows you where camogie is going. As a club we feel we have a great bunch of players, we will take stock of today and we will move on again.”