Athenry edge St Finbarr's to end 48-year wait for All-Ireland senior camogie glory
Derula Higgins of Athenry lifts the trophy. Pic: Ryan Byrne
Athenry ended their 48-year wait to claim victory in the AIB All-Ireland senior camogie club final at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday evening.
They dramatically struck late with an unanswered 1-3 last month in Croke Park to force another day, and it was a similar story in this replay, needing two injury time points after a battle royal.
In another see-saw contest that saw both teams dominant at different stages, it was Jessica Gill’s white flag from a difficult free in the 65th minute that sealed the win. And for 36-year-old Gill and 44-year-old Therese Donohue (both mothers of three children), it was an occasion to savour.
It was an emotional day too as they remembered their team-mate Kate Moran (20), who passed away in 2022 after suffering a head injury while playing for her club, and they retired the number 12 jersey.
The game went ahead after a pitch inspection was passed by referee Brian Kearney an hour before throw-in, even though one half of the pitch was frozen from the shade of the stand. When the players entered the field, they couldn't run out from the tunnel so as to avoid slipping.
There was one change to the St Finbarr’s team from the drawn match with Eimear Hurley replacing Ciara Golden and one alteration to the Athenry team also with Eva McGlynn coming in for Niamh Feeney.
It was a point apiece before Athenry hit the front through a Sabina Rabbitte 45. Kerri O’Donnell’s attempt at a goal was averted for a 45, but Hawkeye deemed Rabbitte’s shot to be wide.
It didn’t take long before Clodagh Burke pushed them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead.
Eimear Hurley found space after linking with Nicole Olden in the 13th minute to reduce the gap.
Athenry were finding their form, their dominance coming from a strong defensive display.
Hawkeye once more denied Kerri O’Driscoll a white flag but despite striking six wides in the first half (to none for St Finbarr’s) they began to take control.
Clodagh Burke added her second and Sabina Rabbitte landed a free following a foul on Eimear Keane. And when Sabina Rabbitte found Jessica Gill, the Galway side had moved 0-6 to 0-2 up.
Kate Wall stopped the rot for St Finbarr’s in the 21st minute after a superb solo run.
And while Kayla Madden found another point for Athenry, St Finbarr’s finished with a brace with Kate Wall splitting the posts and Sorcha McCartan getting on the scoresheet in the first minute of stoppage time after Athenry captain Dervla Higgins was allegedly penalised for over-carrying.
It left the Cork outfit trailing 0-7 to 0-5 at the break in front of an attendance of 2,590.
And it was Athenry who threatened first after the resumption when they had a great chance of a goal but Kerri O’Driscoll’s attempt rolled wide.
Another opportunity came their way when Sabina Rabbitte snapped up the sliotar but she was brilliantly stopped by Aisling Egan.
At the other end, and to the frustration of the Athenry supporters, McCartan availed of another placed ball.
Her third free in the 37th minute drew St Finbarr’s level, 0-7 each.
Four minutes later she edged them in front.
The Barrs, seeking a maiden title, were now in full flow as Orlaith Cahalane and Nicole Olden completed an unanswered run of five points in the fourth quarter.
Another point from Sorcha McCartan put them in control, 0-11 to 0-7 - with no score yet in the second half for Athenry.
This statistic was rectified in the 48th minute when Sabina Rabbitte pointed from a dead ball after Therese Donohue drew the foul.
It ignited their challenge.
As the intensity was ramped up, Kerri O’Driscoll and Sabina Rabbitte made it a one-point game.
That woman again, Therese Donohue achieved parity (0-11 each) two minutes from time.
The momentum now very much with Athenry.
Surely they couldn’t keep this going?
Olwen Rabbitte answered that question to regain the lead in the 62nd minute.
Sorcha McCartan got another point for the Barrs, 0-12 apiece.
But, just like they did before Christmas, Athenry had more in them.
Clodagh Burke nailed her third point.
And with Jessica Gill taking over the free-taking, she did the necessary from an angled free in the 65th minute, 0-14 to 0-12.
The Barrs were struggling.
They needed a goal but there was no way through.
S Rabbitte (0-4, 0-1 45, 0-2 frees), C Burke (0-3), J Gill (0-2, 0-1 free), K Madden, T Donohue, O Rabbitte, K O’Driscoll, E McGlynn (0-1 each).
S McCartan (0-6, 0-5 frees), K Wall and O Cahalane (0-2 each) E Hurley and N Olden (0-1 each)).
L Freeney; T Kilkenny, K Screene, D Higgins (Capt); L Casserly, O Rabbitte, S Feeney; K Madden, E McGlynn; T Donohue, J Gill, E Keane; K O’Driscoll, S Rabbitte, C Burke.
A Jordan for E Keane (47), M Noone for E McGlynn (52).
C Hurley; S Punch (Capt), A Egan, A O’Neill; G Cahalane, M Cahalane, S Daly; A Shannon, K McCarthy; N Olden, K Wall, H O’Leary; O Cahalane, S McCartan, E Hurley.
C Golden for S Daly (half-time), E Wigginton Barrett for E Hurley (54), L O’Donovan for N Olden (58).
Brian Kearney (Kildare).
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