Goals swing Tipperary minor camogie final in favour of Templemore

Templemore 2-12 Rockwell Rovers 0-12

Templemore were crowned FBD Insurance County Minor C Cup champions following an exciting and closely contested final against Rockwell Rovers at the Tipperary County Camogie Grounds at The Ragg on Monday evening.

There was very little to separate the sides for much of this absorbing contest, with both teams producing some excellent camogie in a game that remained finely balanced well into the second half.

Rockwell Rovers made the brighter start, with Emily McGrath and Emma Flynn getting their opening scores to put their side two points ahead. Templemore responded after six minutes when Aoibhe Burke opened their account. April Bourke then added another score before Katie Bergin also found the target to put Templemore 3-2 ahead.

Rockwell responded impressively, hitting three points in succession. Clíodhna Farrell landed two frees, while Emily McGrath added another from play to restore their advantage.

Katie Bergin, who was a constant threat in the Templemore attack throughout, reduced the deficit before Bríd Delaney brought the sides level. Delaney was excellent from placed balls and from play and was a key figure for Templemore throughout the contest.

At half-time, the sides could not be separated, with the scoreboard reading five points apiece.

The intensity continued after the restart. Bríd Delaney opened the second half scoring with a point before April Burke grabbed her second for Templemore. Clíodhna Farrell and Jenny Marnell then exchanged scores as both sides continued to battle for supremacy.

Kate Nevin was beginning to exert a major influence from centre back for Templemore, driving forward with possession and helping her side gain territory. At midfield, Breda Delaney was equally influential, while Rockwell continued to threaten whenever they moved forward.

Scores from Kate Nevin, Clíodhna Farrell, Sophie Lonergan and Bríd Delaney followed as the teams continued to trade scores. After 15 minutes of the second half Templemore held just a one-point advantage, 10 points to nine, with the game still very much in the balance.

However, Templemore began to gain the upper hand as the half progressed.

Their pressure finally paid off in the 52nd minute when Katie Bergin found the back of the Rockwell net to give Templemore a crucial four-point advantage. It was a brilliantly-worked move, with Kate Nevin driving out of defence and finding Bríd Delaney in midfield before she delivered the ball to Bergin. Rockwell Rovers responded in excellent fashion, with Annie Flynn and Sophie Lonergan adding points to keep their side firmly in contention.

Then came the decisive moment.

Bergin struck for her second goal just four minutes later, giving Templemore a significant advantage and putting them firmly in control of the final stages.

Rockwell Rovers continued to push hard in search of a way back into the game but Templemore's defence stood firm. Sinead Delaney was solid between the posts, making a number of important interventions as Rockwell pressed forward.

Annie Flynn added another point for Rockwell, but Templemore held out to secure a memorable 2-12 to 0-12 victory.

It was an excellent final between two very evenly-matched sides, with neither team willing to give an inch for long periods. Ultimately, Templemore's ability to score the two crucial goals proved decisive.

Congratulations to Templemore on their FBD Insurance Minor C Cup success, and commiserations to a gallant Rockwell Rovers side who contributed to a fantastic final. They can take great credit for the way they fought throughout a thrilling contest.

Player of The Match: Katie Bergin.

Templemore: Sinead Delaney, Cait Bergin, Grace Corcoran, Sarah Martin, Jennifer Cormack, Kate Nevin (0-1), Nicole Buckley, Bríd Delaney (0-3, 2 frees), Ellie Mai Walsh, Julie Grey, Katie Bergin (2-2), Jenny Marnell (0-1), April Bourke (0-2), Aoibhe Bourke (0-1),Roisin Percy.

Subs: Meave Tynan O’Connor for Sarah Martin, Sarah Bourke for Ellie Mai Walsh , Sierra Hogan for Roisin Percy, Elsa Sheedy for Jennifer Cormack.

Rockwell Rovers: Lucy Quinn, Addison Ryan, Cara Cummins, Emma Flynn (0-1), Meabh Lonergan, Emma Durkan, Cliodhna Farrell (0-5 frees), Maeve Moloney, Emily McGrath (0-2), Catherine Fitzgerald, Annie Flynn (0-2), Shona Moloney, Grace O’Dwyer, Sophie Lonergan (0-2).

Sub: Jane Corcoran for Cara Cummins.

Referee: PJ Nolan.