CAMOGIE: Slieve Felim Raparees crowned Tipperary county champions!

Slieve Felim Raparees captured the Junior C league title after an entertaining and closely fought contest in MIC Thurles. The game ebbed and flowed throughout with both teams determined to take home the silverware.

St Pat’s suffered a blow after 10 mins with the loss of Lucy O Brien through injury. Slieve Felim were first to score as Annie Phelan converted a point from a free.

Moments later despite a great save from goalie Sadhbh Morrissey, Slieve Felim’s Joanne Shanahan scored a goal from the rebound to give them the advantage.

St Pat’s then opened their scoring with a well taken point from Niamh Keane following good teamwork and a perfect pass from Ella Corbett to set up the score.

Slieve Felim responded with a point from play before St Pats finished the half strong with 2 more points from Éabha Hogan and Dearbhla Morrissey.

At half time Slieve Felim led by the narrowest margins 1-02 to 4 points with Joanne Shanahan’s well finished goal proving crucial.

St Pat’s pressed hard for scores in the beginning of the second half and took the lead for the first time in the game thanks to two frees from Eabha Hogan. Slieve Felim responded brilliantly with the next 3 points from Molly McLoughlin and Annie Phelan to lead again by 2 in the closing stages.

Both sides traded scorers and Slieve Felim led by 2 points before Niamh O’Brien pointed the final score of the game for St Pat’s to reduce the deficit to 1. The final score read 1-07 to 8 points to the Raparees.

For St Pat’s the backs played well led by Emily Fox in the centre and Gemma Gahan working tirelessly at fullback. Éabha Hogan put in a fine performance at midfield defending when needed, driving forward and attacking.

Up front the forwards worked well together led by Niamh Keane who was a threat any time she got on the ball. It was a strong team performance by Slieve Felim throughout.

They started very well to lead and then responded brilliantly when St Pat’s took the lead.

They also kept clean sheet despite huge pressure from St Pat’s. Best for them on the night was Laura Ryan, Caoimhe McCormack, Joanne Shanahan and Molly McLoughlin.

Slieve Felim: Sinead Corcoran, Shannon O’Grady, Caoimhe McCormack, Lisa Carey, Aibhlin Kennedy, Sarah Brennan, Roisin Hickey, Annie Phelan (0-03 frees) ,Siofra Pamplin, Greta Ryan(0-01), Avril Kinnerk, Laura Ryan , Joanne Shanahan (1-0), Molly McLoughlin (0-03), Molly Carr Subs: Emma Ryan for Avril Kinnerk, Siobhan Carey for Joanna Shanahan

St Pat’s: Sadhbh Morrissey, Sarah Grace, Gemma Gahan, Dawn Moroney, Sophie O Brien, Emily Fox, Erin Moroney, Ailíse Fitzgerald, Éabha Hogan 0-4 (2 frees), Ella Corbett, Dearbhla Morrissey (0-1), Lucy O Brien, Siobhán Hogan, Niamh Keane (Captain) (0-2), Niamh O Brien (0.1) and Lucy Aspell.