Templeglantine claim first Munster Junior Camogie title with win over Cillard

The Curtins were in fine form for the Limerick women.

Munster Junior Camogie final: Templeglantine (Limerick) 3-12 Cillard (Kerry) 4-6

The Limerick Intermediate champions Templeglantine proved too strong for the Kerry Junior Champions Cillard after a hard fought Munster Junior Camogie Final, played at the Charleville GAA Grounds, on Saturday afternoon. 

Templeglantine possessed more scoring power than Cillard on the day and their defence inspired by Lauren O’Connor at wingback was outstanding.

Cillard lost nothing in defeat with centre back Roisin Quinn a tour de force throughout. Up front the brilliant Shannon Collins carried the Cillard team on her shoulders, scoring 3-6 of her sides tally.

Templeglantine set the tone right from the off, with midfielder Stephanie Woulfe firing over two long range frees. Sarah O'Brien, player of the Ashbourne Cup Final for UCC, was tormenting the Cillard defence and displayed he lightening fast pace to race in for a goal.  

Cillard were five points down before that many minutes had elapsed.

They needed a lifeline and and got it, maybe with a touch of luck, as Shannon Collins' free dipped wickedly over the keeper's head and into the net. 

Michelle Curtin stretched Templeglantine's lead but Collins' engine was only warming up and she replied with a great point for Cillard.

Templeglantine then took over and with the wind to their backs, they piled on the misery to Cillard with white flags from the three Curtin’s, Michelle, Noelle and Ciara plus another from the outstanding O'Brien. 

The Limerick outfit opened up a formidable 1-7 to 1-1 lead before Ally Russell set up Shannon Collins for her second point. 

Templeglantine finished he half strongly with further scores from Noelle and Ciara Curtin and a free from Stephanie Woulfe, which saw the Limerick women lead 1-10 to 1-2 at half time.

Cillard needed an early goal and they got it courtesy of Shannon Collins who blasted a superb free straight into the top corner. 

However, Templeglantine hit back with a well-crafted goal of their own, Michelle Curtin timing her pass to Sarah O'Brien to perfection, and O'Brien did not miss (2-11 to 2-3).

Still Cillard, particularly Shannon Collins, kept conjuring up moments of magic. Collins fired yet another rasper of a free into the net. Michelle Curtin notched a point but Collins split the posts. 

With twelve minutes to go Templeglantine combined again for a goal, this time Sarah O'Brien turning provider for Michelle Curtin. 

Cillard would not give up the ghost, Collins firing another point before Roisín Quinn, outstanding all through for Cillard, fired home a long range goal of her own but it was not enough as Templeglantine held out and thus won a first historic Munster win.

Scorers For Templeglantine: S. O'Brien 2-1, M Curtin 1-2, S. Woulfe 0-4, 4f, N. Curtin 0-3, C. Curtin 0-2.

Scorers for Cillard: S. Collins 3-6, (2-3fs), R. Quinn (1-0 f).

TEMPLEGLANTINE: A. Stack; K. Cahill, S. Sheehan, J. Murphy; S. Quinlivan, C. Sheehan, L. O'Connor; S. Woulfe, S. Curtin; C. Curtin, N. Curtin, S. Flynn; M. Curtin, S. O'Brien, O. O'Connor. 

Subs: C Roche for K. Cahill (19 inj) J. O'Connell for M Curtin, temp., 21 – 28, J. O'Connell for S. Flynn (45).

CILLARD: A. Maunsell; H. O'Connor, S. McCarthy, E. Harrington; A. McCarthy, R. Quinn, S. Walsh; A. McCarthy, N. Quinn; N. Power, R. O'Connor, K. Leen; A. Russell, S. Collins, N. Casey. 

Subs: C. O'Sullivan for A. Russell, 39, R. Lennon for A. McCarthy, 39, C. Daly for N Power,( 52), A. O'Loughlin for S McCarthy (52), K. Meehan for K Leen ( 56).

Referee: A. Hogg (Clare).