St Finbarr's land first ever Munster senior camogie title with dramatic win over De La Salle

The Barrs survived a slow start and then came from a point down in the 60th minute to move ahead with the outstanding Kate Wall belting home her second goal.

HISTORY MAKERS: St. Finbarrs Kate Wall with De La Salle's Leah Browne. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon.

St Finbarr’s (Cork) 3-11 De La Salle (Waterford) 2-12

St Finbarr’s made history in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday claiming a maiden AIB Munster senior camogie club championship title, and at the first time of asking too.

In a dramatic finish and after a thrilling encounter, St Finbarr’s survived a slow start and then came from a point down in the 60th minute to move ahead with the outstanding Kate Wall belting home her second goal, 3-10 to 2-11.

Wall finished with 2-4 - all from play. It was neck-and-neck in an absorbing second half, and it appeared De La Salle were heading for victory until the Barrs late surge that yielded an incredible two-point win.

De La Salle deserved their early lead with Abby Flynn getting in along the end line for a goal after just 30 seconds.

They continued to show their ability with Beth Carton adding a point a minute later.

When Sorcha McCartan’s excellent cross met Orlaith Cahalane, Brianna O’Regan did superbly to deny her.

De La Salle remained composed to add a brace from Carton and Abby Flynn.

It took 11 minutes for St Finbarr’s to settle, but when they did it was a brilliant Orlaith Cahalane overhead flick that rocked the net after she flicked on McCartan’s lengthy free.

St. Finbarrs Kate Wall with De La Salle's Emma Kennedy. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon.

Influential duo Carton and O’Flynn (2) made it 1-6 to 1-0 at the end of the first quarter.

De La Salle took the game to their opponents. Méabh Cahalane and Aisling Shannon alternated between marking Beth Carton and sweeping, while Alannah McNulty picked up Sorcha McCartan.

Abbie Mullane was sweeper for De La Salle. The Barrs enjoyed a hugely productive second quarter that yielded 1-3, De La Salle’s only reply was a Carton free.

The goal three minutes from half-time was another well-worked move with the tireless Kate Wall applying the finish.

Wall had a second goal but referee Mike Ryan had called back for a free, which McCartan converted.

At the half hour mark, De La Salle held a one-point lead, 1-7 to 2-3.

That was wiped out by a McCartan free soon after the restart, and the teams were level for the first time.

Carton traded white flags with McCartan and Nicole Olden before the Barrs went into the ascendancy through Wall, 2-7 to 1-9.

Brianna O’Regan came to the rescue for her side, and the resultant 45 was rifled over to extend the Barrs advantage.

De La Salle came again. Maggie Gostl goaling in the 50th minute to wrestle back control by a solitary point.

With the momentum swaying from side to side, St Finbarr’s imposed themselves once more, and it was that woman Wall again who could do no wrong.

She punched the air in delight after shaking the net.

A McCartan free following a foul on herself was the last act.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: K Wall (2-4), S McCartan (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45), O Cahalane (1-0), N Olden (0-1).

Scorers for De La Salle: B Carton (0-9, 0-6 frees), A Flynn (1-3), M Gostl (1-0).

ST FINBARR’S: C Hurley; S Punch (Capt), A Egan, A O’Neill; G Cahalane, M Cahalane, S Daly; K Wall, K McCarthy; A Shannon, C Golden, N Olden; H O’Leary, S McCartan, O Cahalane.

Subs: E Hurley for H O’Leary (40), L O’Donovan for N Olden (50), E Wiggonton Barrett for S Daly (55).

DE LA SALLE: B O’Regan; T Healy, A Healy, S Condon; M O’Connor, A McNulty, E Kennedy; K Corbett Barry, L Browne; C Healy, B Carton (Capt), H Ryan; A Mullane, A Flynn, M Gostl.

Subs: N Power for A Healy (half-time), I Boland for C Healy (53).

Referee: Mike Ryan (Tipperary).