Toomevara effort pays off in league final victory over Shannon Rovers

Intermediate Camogie League Final

Toomevara 0-14

Shannon Rovers 1-8

In her post match victory speech captain Laura Bergin spoke how as a group they were “sick of losing” and made a decision to put in a huge effort this year.

That hard work since January was telling and paid off come Friday evening with an impressive display to seal a league title success.

Played in glorious sunshine in front of a large crowd Silvermines GAA pitch in Dolla was in pristine condition for the occasion.
Laura Leenane Shannon Rovers’ best forward on the night traded opening points with Toomevara’s sharp shooter Jill Ann Quirke and brilliant free taker Gemma McCarthy to leave the sides level after 15 minutes four points apiece.

Some lovely link up play between Jill Ann, Gemma and Laoise Cummins led to a goal chance for Katie Ryan but Rita Burke was alert to it and pulled off a great save which resulted in a 45m. Pointed by Mccarthy this put Toomevara ahead.

Moments later a great clearance by Niamh Franks found Laura Leenane who picked out Katie Costello but she failed to find the target.
Gemma McCarthy added to her tally before the break to make it 0-6 to 0-4 in favour of Toomevara. Laura Leenane got the opening score of the second half before Toomevara responded with four unanswered points as the Shannon Rovers defence struggled with the brilliant movement and shooting of Quirke and McCarthy.

Laura Leenane pointed to stifle the Toome momentum but this was quickly cancelled out by another McCarthy free to put Toomevara firmly in the driving seat 0-11 to 0-6 after 45 minutes.

Another free by McCarthy followed by a Shauna Quirke point stretched Toome’s lead to seven and Shannon Rovers looked to be in real trouble.

Credit to Rovers though they found another gear and they put in a great final quarter to make a real game of it. A Laura Leenane free was followed by a Nicola Kelly goal in the 50th minute as Shannon Rovers began to get on top in key battles.

Another Leenane point, this time a superb effort from distance in the 54th minute put only two between the sides 1-8 to 0-13 as Shannon Rovers pushed hard for another score.

An injury time pointed free by Gemma McCarthy sealed the win for Toomevara as they celebrated a three point win at the final whistle.

Toomevara: Sarah McCarthy; Ciara Kenneally, OrlaHogan, Chloe Whyte; Mary Flaherty, Margaret Quigley, Niamh McCormack; Laura Bergin, Laoise Cummins; Laura O’Meara, Jill Ann Quirke (0-4), Rachel Shanahan; Eileen Gleeson, Katie Ryan, Gemma McCarthy (0-9, 0-6f, 0-1 45m).

Subs used: Shauna Quirke (0-1) Aisling McCormack.

Shannon Rovers: Rita Burke; Stephanie O’Sullivan, Julie Brennan, Aisling McKenna; Nimah Franks, Eimear Fogarty, Francis Bulger; Jenny O’Meara, Aine Cleary; Bethany Slattery, Anna Harding, Emma Darcy; Katie Costello, Laura Leenane (0-8, 0-4f), Clodagh Cahalan.

Subs used: Meabh Cahalan, Nicola Kelly (1-0), Paula Hannigan.

Referee: Philly Ryan