Karen Duddy at Croke Park
All is to play for in a thrilling All-Ireland camogie championship, as both last year's All-Ireland finalists and 2022's All-Ireland champions exited the competition at the weekend at the quarterfinal stage
In a gripping encounter at GAA HQ at Saturday, the Dublin camogie ladies emerged victorious against Kilkenny with a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-12, advancing to the semifinals of the Glen Dimplex Senior All-Ireland Championship. This win marks a significant moment for Dublin, as they upset the 2022 champions and are just two wins from their first All-Ireland title in 40 years.
“Right across the board, every one of them stood up – the backs, the forwards…we used all five subs. We don’t call them subs in Dublin, we call them finishers…and take a look what they did – they finished.” said Dublin manager Gerry McQuaid after the game.
Full forward and captain, Aoife Prendergast, opened the scoreline for Kilkenny. Dublin answered with a free conversion from captain Aisling Maher, who has played in a sweeper position this season. Another free for Dublin saw Maher drop it into the box to be struck by Sinead Wylde, raising the green flag for the Blues after just 5 minutes of play.
Prendergast pointed again, answered with a score by Clare Gannon. Kilkenny began to settle into the game from here, as they put three scores over the bar to level the game – two glorious strikes from Aoife Doyle and one from Caoimhe Keyer Murtagh.
The subsequent period was characterised by gritty defending by Dublin as the Cats piled on the pressure, and a handful of wides from both teams. Prendergast got the scoreline moving once more as she split the uprights from a free with 13 minutes to the half.
A shot on goal from Aoife McKearney forced a fantastic save from Kilkenny goalie Aoife Norris. Emma Flanagan grabbed the rebound, offered a quick pass to Elyse Jamieson-Murphy who received it in a prime position in front of goal. She was taken down by Michelle Teehan who was shown a yellow card.
A penalty for Maher ensued. A chance to go two points up. Her strike goes directly at Norris who confidently blocks the effort. This gave the girls in black and yellow a boost of confidence as they sent over another score, thanks to midfielder Steffi Fitzgerald. Sinéad Nolan replied with a point and Dublin began once again to send numbers up in attack.
Norris saved another quick shot on goal. Aisling Gannon pointed for Dublin at the end of normal time of the first half to bring the sides level again. Dublin’s physicality prevailed as Maher came through with a point in additional time to send the Blues into the break with a one-point lead.
The second half opened with converted frees from both captains. Substitute Tiffany Fitzgerald picked up a yellow card, allowing Maher to point again from the free. Doyle replied with another great score. Prendergast then levelled the scoreline with 43 minutes gone. Tensions rose across the Park. The Cats appeared on the front foot as the Dublin defence were repeatedly in the heart of battle.
“Pounded, pounded, pounded” described McQuaid of the efforts from his defenders.
The panel analyse the powerhouse performance of Dublin's Aisling Maher in their camogie quarter-final victory over Kilkenny
Watch the #sundaygame back on @rteplayer pic.twitter.com/YD0Im8bsCk— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 7, 2024
It was Maher once again for Dublin from a free. McKearney seconded her from play. A blue jersey came out with the sliotar in every scramble, they appeared more urgent. Substitute Aisling O’Neill won the ball deep in the forward line to send over a brilliant score for the Dubs. The Cats reduced their deficit from three to one with great scores from Keher Murtagh and Power at 53 minutes.
Another point from Maher brought her personal tally to 6 points. O’Neill popped one over and Dublin were up by three points going into additional time. Maher concluded her string of points with a final score, answered by a last minute point from Kilkenny. But it was too late. Dublin had taken the win, and in superior fashion.
“They gave it absolutely everything, but it just wasn’t to be” were the words of Kilkenny coach Peter Cleere. “The girls are devastated.”
In a shock win at Croke Park, the Girls In Blue have shown they are capable of being mixed in with the top teams of the country, and will by no means be taking the foot off the pedal as they face Cork in Nowlan Park in three weeks in the semi-final.
Camogie: Galway march on
Galway and Waterford came head-to-head on Sunday in the other Glex Dimplex Quarter-Final at Croke Park. Waterford, as last year’s beaten finalists were eager to get back and have another crack at the title, whereas Galway were coming off a heavy loss to Cork the weekend prior.
In recent Galway tradition, the Tribeswomen upset the favourites in a brilliant 1-12 to 1-9 victory. Carrie Dolan opened the scoreline for Galway, where this lead was maintained throughout the entire game – a testament to their grit and strength in maintaining the Deise. Further scores from Dolan and Niamh Mallon aided Galway to a two-point lead at the half.
With a handful of Waterford players having played in the football on Saturday, the fatigue in the legs was evident as the maroon and whites were first to each 50/50 puck. Beth Carton for Waterford put over some immense scores and a penalty goal in the second half, but it wasn’t to be for the Déise this weekend.
That might do it...
A wonderful solo score from Galway midfielder Olwen Rabbitte puts the seal on the Tribeswomen's hard-fought quarter-final win over Waterford at Croke Park.
Full-time: Galway 1-12 Waterford 1-09#GALvWAT
📺 RTÉ2 & RTÉplayer pic.twitter.com/sPgY5ZSYxi— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 7, 2024
“We knew coming in we had to work a lot harder, be more aggressive in the rucks and want it a lot more” Galway manager Cathal Murray said after the game, “The ladies football win last night – the girls were watching it – I think that inspired them as well.”
Galway face Tipperary at Nowlan Park in three weeks, a repeat of the league final where Tipp got the better of Galway by only a point.
