Jane Adams hits 2-9 as Rossa claim historic first

JANE Adams capped a superb week for Antrim camogie as her 2-9 haul inspired O’Donovan Rossa to All-Ireland senior club camogie glory on Sunday writes Jackie Cahill.

O’Donovan Rossa became the first Ulster outfit to capture the Bill Carroll trophy in the 44-year history of the competition as they recorded a 2-15 to 1-12 victory against Tipperary and Munster champions Drom & Inch.

A huge crowd witnessed a splendid game played on a fine pitch at Donaghmore, Asbourne and Adams was the undoubted star turn as two first half goals helped to establish a 2-7 to 0-8 interval lead for O’Donovan Rossa.

Adams collected Antrim’s very first camogie Allstar award eight days before this historic club final and she found the net twice in the final ten minutes of the first half to set 2006 runners-up O’Donovan Rossa on their way to a famous win.

With 20 minutes on the watch, Adams collected a fine ball from Seanín Daykin to open up a 1-4 to 0-4 advantage and after Joanne Ryan responded with a point for Drom & Inch, Adams struck a second goal in the 25th minute.

Drom & Inch hit back with a free from their top scorer Therese Shortt but the lethal Adams hit three frees before the end of the first half to open up a five-point interval lead.

O’Donovan Rossa opened the second half with points from Maorisa McGourty and Gráinne Connolly to put more daylight between the sides before Shortt opened Drom’s second half account with a free.

Three minutes from the end, Mary Looby scored a consolation goal with a fine handpassed effort to the net but it proved too little too late for Drom & Inch as O’Donovan Rossa secured a six-point win.

Adams, Daykin and Kerrie O’Neill were O’Donovan Rossa’s leading players while Shortt, Looby, Joanne Ryan and Geraldine Kinnane showed well for Drom & Inch.

Meanwhile, another large crowd was present in Nenagh as Laois outfit Harps secured a third successive All-Ireland junior club success with a 1-11 to 3-2 victory against Clare side Kilmaley. Harps won an entertaining match by three points after outscoring their opponents 0-4 to 0-1 in the second half.

Four goals were scored in the opening half as the sides were level at 3-1 to 1-7 at the break. Harps had four points on the board before Kilmaley opened their account with sixteen minutes on the watch. Kilmaley’s Maria Hehir and Harps star Áine Mahony traded goals before the Clare kingpins shocked their opponents with a quickfire brace from Claire McMahon just before half-time.

With two minutes remaining in the first half, McMahon’s free deceived the Harps defenders and ended up in the net before the same player struck again from play to hand Kilmaley a one-point lead.

Player of the match Louise Mahony converted a 45 to tie the scores at half-time and as Kilmaley shot five second half wides, Harps made better use of the chances that came their way to seal the three-in-a-row. 

****
Scorers for O’Donovan Rossa: Jane Adams 2-9, Gráinne Connolly 0-2, Maorisa McGourty 0-2, Kerrie O’Neill & Maureen Stewart 0-1 each. 

Scorers for Drom & Inch: Therese Shortt 0-7, Joanne Ryan 0-3, Mary Looby 1-2.
****
Scorers for Harps: Áine Mahony 1-3 (0-3f), Aisling Phelan 0-3, Joanne Prior 0-1, Louise Mahony 0-3 (1f, 1 45), Angela Hannon 0-1. 

Scores for Kilmaley: Claire McMahon 2-2 (1-2f), Maria Hehir 1-0.  

This article was published in the Irish Examiner. Here we repoduce it in full without any further comment.

Brennan: Why I Flew Business Class to Oz

by Colm O’Connor

GAA PRESIDENT Nickey Brennan last night defended his decision to fly business class to the International Rules Series in Australia while Seán Boylan’s squad and management team travelled in economy.

Brennan insisted he had done so for health reasons stressing it was — and remains — GAA policy for all its officials on association trips to travel economy class.

Last week, the GAA president defended the GAA’s decision not to splash out the extra cash that would be involved in providing the players with business class seats.

“I think the fact that we won the two Tests blows that argument out of the water,” said Brennan at the time. “In the past, Ireland GAA teams going to Australia have always travelled economy class, and I don’t envisage any change in that arrangement in future years. It’s the same situation with the All Star tours – the teams always travel economy class, no matter how far away the destination is.”

However after it emerged that Brennan himself flew business class from Dublin to Sydney via Abu Dhabi, the GAA president issued a statement to The Irish Examiner yesterday outlining the reasoning for his upgrade. He stressed that the business class travel did not cost the Association any additional money as he flew with All-Ireland Hurling Championship sponsors, Etihad.

Explained Brennan: “I, and my family, were concerned for my health because of the number of flights I was taking in such a short space of time.”

He outlined his itinerary before and during the trip to Australia. “I went to Malaysia on October 9th for the Asian Gaelic Games Finals. I flew economy class from Dublin, Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, to Penang. I left Malaysia on October 13th and was back in Ireland on October 14th — again flying economy. The next day I had an all-day meeting of the All Star selectors and then on the Friday night I had the All Star function in Dublin. I had the Shinty internationals in Kilkenny on the Saturday the 18th and a function that night in Kilkenny.

“On Sunday, October 19th, I flew from Dublin to Abu Dhabi to Sydney with Etihad Airways.” The GAA president confirmed: “I flew business class. On arrival in Sydney I boarded a flight to Perth and flew economy class on Virgin Blue and arrived in Perth on Tuesday at 5pm, had a shower and then went to a function.”

He continued: “On the Saturday after the first test, the entire Irish party flew economy class on Qantas from Perth to Melbourne. We then spent a week in Melbourne. After the second test we went from Melbourne to Sydney. On Monday, November 3rd, I flew from Sydney to Dublin and was back in Ireland on November 4th and we came home with Etihad.

“I want to stress that the cost of all the Etihad flights was covered as part of our sponsorship arrangement with the airline.”

He said he had never planned to undertake such trips — but was forced to do so due to scheduling issues. “I had been in Malaysia and I had originally hoped that I could have travelled directly on to Australia from there. However we could not change the date of the All Star function so I had no choice but to return home for the All Stars before going back out to Australia. That would be hard on anyone’s system and there was no way that I was going to risk my health.”

Last week former Ireland rugby fitness coach Mike McGurn, who worked with Boylan’s squad prior to their departure, said he was amazed that the Irish squad didn’t travel business class on the long-haul flight.

“Travelling economy class six days before the first Test was a form of suicide. Also, six of the lads only arrived in Australia on the Tuesday before the first Test. Rugby teams, soccer teams wouldn’t do it, and I’m sure when the Aussies (International Rules team) come to Ireland, they don’t travel economy class. Because the lads would obviously be more tired after flying economy class, rather than business class, we deliberately decided in advance of the flight that they wouldn’t be pushed that hard in training in the days before the first Test.”

Brennan insisted in the wake of McGurn’s claims that it was not the policy of the GAA for officials to travel business class. And he again re-iterated that stance yesterday. “Again I want to say that it is not to the policy of the GAA to travel business class. Prior to this I had never travelled business class while I was GAA president. But I, and my family, were concerned for my health because of the number of flights I was taking in such a short space of time. I was not going to take any chances with things like deep vein thrombosis or anything like that.”

He insisted the trip undertaken by the players was done so after lengthy consultation with Boylan. “The players travelled out with Singapore Airlines and flew directly to Perth and arrived on the Monday. This was the way which Sean Boylan wanted things — that the squad could get to their destination in the most direct way.”

Added Brennan: “I don’t know who it was that travelled around the world in 80 days, but I was nearly travelling twice around the world in a week. But I used the time in business (class) to get a lot of paperwork done before meeting with Australian officials.”

This year’s All-Ireland champions Cork were the big winners at the Camogie All-Stars in the Citywest Hotel taking home seven awards. 
 
Gemma O’Connor has been rewarded with an unprecedented fifth consecutive All-Star following an impressive 2008. O’Connor won her previous four awards at midfield but collects her fifth award from the half back line. She is joined by goalkeeper Aoife Murray, full back and captain, Cathriona Foley, midfield pair of Briege Corkery and Orla Cotter as well as forwards Rachel Moloney and Síle Burns who scored two goals in the Gala All-Ireland final.
 
Championship and National League runners-up, Galway, received three awards.  The 2008 Championship top scorer, Jessica Gill, has been rewarded with her first All-Star. The 18 year old sharpshooter amassed a total of 6-48 over the course of the Championship. Gill is joined by Captain Sinéad Cahalan and forward Therese Maher.
 
Beaten semi finalists, Wexford and Tipperary, have both been given one award each as has National League Champions, Kilkenny. Wexford’s full back, Catherine O’Loughlin, claims her second award while Tipperary’s Trish O’Halloran and Kilkenny’s Aoife Neary pick up their first awards.
 
Antrim and Offaly, won their first ever All-Stars. Michaela Morkan, who was part of the Offaly team that reached the Gala Junior All-Ireland final, has been named in the half backs while free scoring Antrim forward, Jane Adams, took home Antrim’s first All Star.
 
The O’Neills Camogie Young Player of the Year award went to Clare’s Carina Roseingrave. 2008 has been a fantastic year for the Clare forward. She had a prolific year in front of the posts, most notably her three goals in the All Ireland Junior semi-final against Waterford as well as the 1-1 she scored in the Gala All-Ireland final win over Offaly.
 
Liam Dunne and Stephen Dormer have been rewarded with the O’Neills Manager of the Year All-Star following their continued success with the Kilkenny underage setup. Dunne and Dormer have been instrumental in Kilkenny’s success at underage level, they led the Cats to their fourth consecutive All-Ireland U16 A title in May.
 
Speaking at the awards ceremony Liz Howard, President of the Camogie Association said “I want to congratulate the 2008 All Star recipients.  Their commitment, skill and contribution to the game during 2008 was phenomenal. 2008 was a great year for Camogie and it is important that we recognise the contribution of our top players.” 
 
 
Camogie All-Stars 2008 in association with O’Neills:
 
Goalkeeper
Aoife Murray (Cork)
 
Backs
Cathriona Foley (Cork)
Catherine O’Loughlin (Wexford)
Trish O’Halloran (Tipperary)
Michaela Morkan (Offaly)
Sinéad Cahalan (Galway)
Gemma O’Connor (Cork)
 
Midfield
Briege Corkery (Cork)
Orla Cotter (Cork)
 
Forwards
Jessica Gill (Galway)
Therese Maher (Galway)
Aoife Neary (Kilkenny)
Síle Burns (Cork)
Rachel Moloney (Cork)
Jane Adams (Antrim)
 
O’Neills Camogie Manager of the Year
Liam Dunne and Stephen Dormer (Kilkenny)
 
O’Neills Camogie Young Player of the Year
Carina Roseingrave (Clare)

ANTRIM outfit O’Donovan Rossa will meet Tipperary’s Drom & Inch in the All-Ireland senior camogie club final on Sunday November 16.O’Donovan Rossa defeated Dublin’s Ballyboden St Enda’s 3-18 to 0-6 while Drom & Inch edged past last season’s beaten finalists Athenry by just a single point, 1-8 to 0-10, in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Jane Adams was the scoring heroine for O’Donovan Rossa, weighing in with a massive 2-11 haul as the Ulster kingpins raced away in the second half, having led 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.

Ballyboden spurned a glorious goal chance just before half-time and were made to pay by Adams just 38 seconds after the restart when she scored the game’s opening goal.

Seven minutes from the end, Adams netted again before Maureen Stewart added a third goal in stoppage time for the 2006 runners-up.

This was an impressive attacking performance from O’Donovan Rossa as corner forward Ciara Armstrong also sparkled with four points from play.

In contrast, outclassed Ballyboden could only manage a solitary point from play during the second half at Casement Park in Belfast.

Meanwhile, Therese Shortt and Siobhán McGrath led the scoring charge as Drom & Inch qualified for their very first final with that slender victory against Galway’s Athenry at Cloughjordan.

A new name will be inscribed on the Bill Carroll Cup in a fortnight’s time after Drom & Inch overturned a 0-7 to 0-4 half-time deficit.

Shortt scored 0-4 from placed balls while McGrath’s second half goal proved crucial for the Tipperary and Munster champions, who will now look to emulate county colleagues Cashel, last year’s All-Ireland champions.

Athenry, heavily reliant on eight points from Galway ace Jessica Gill, were caught by Ryan’s goal nine minutes from time, a score which sent Drom & Inch 1-7 to 0-8 in front.

Drom held off a late Athenry charge and breathed a huge sigh of relief when Nicola Nally shot over the crossbar in stoppage time as the Galway girls threatened to score a winning goal.

Meanwhile, Clare outfit Kilmaley will attempt to stop Laois side Harps capturing a third successive crown when the teams contest the junior final on November 16.

Emma O’Driscoll (2), Katie Cahill and Helen McMahon scored the Kilmaley goals as they ran out 4-11 to 0-3 winners against Roscommon’s Four Roads at the grounds of St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield, having led 1-5 to 0-2 at half-time.

Four Roads faced an uphill task from the 18th minute after full-forward Donna Kelly was sent off.

At Casement Park, Harps recorded a 1-10 to 1-8 victory against Lavey of Derry as Allstar nominee Louise Mahony scored 1-9 for the reigning champions.

Harps had built up a commanding lead at half-time, 1-7 to 1-2, but Lavey remained in contention as Paula McCloy replied to Mahony’s goal in the opening half.

****

Scorers for O’Donovan Rossa: J Adams 2-11, C Armstrong 0-4, S Daykin, K O’Neill & O McCall 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballyboden: C Lucey & D Dolan 0-2 each, E Lucey 0-1, S Nic Coitir 0-1.

Scorers for Drom & Inch: T Shortt 0-4, S McGrath 1-1, J Ryan 0-2, N Harrington 0-1.

Scorers for Athenry: J Gill 0-8, T Maher & N Nally 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilmaley: E O’Driscoll 2-0, H McMahon 1-2, K Cahill 1-0, S Enright & C McMahon 0-4 each, M Hehir 0-1.

Scorers for Four Roads: N Coyle 0-2, E Glennon-Tully 0-1.

Scorers for Harps: L Mahony 1-9, E Mahony 0-1.

Scorers for Lavey: P McCloy 1-2, C McCloy 0-4, H O’Neill & M O’Kane 0-1 each.

Camogie in the Community

The theme of the day will be “Camogie Connecting Communities.” Ossie Kilkenny, Chairperson of the Irish Sports Council and one of the best known Irish businessmen, will be the main guest speaker.  Former roles include founding partner of OJ
Kilkenny, the accountancy firm which represented many high profile entertainment artists including U2. 

He also chaired the Irish Film Board and is involved with Special Olympics.This is the ideal opportunity for club members to influence the future of Camogie as the Association embarks on the formation of its Strategic Plan for 2009. 

The day will provide a platform for members to express their hopes and ambitions for the most popular female sport in Ireland.The forum will include workshops on club development, recruiting and retaining volunteers, social inclusion, working within the Gaelic Games Family at club level and promoting your club through the local media.  Other guest speakers include Mary O’Connor, Director of Camogie Development, Paudie Butler, National Hurling Director and Morgan Buckley of Atlantic Sports Management. Liz Howard, President of the Camogie Association said: “There has been significant development within the Camogie Association in recent times and it is imperative that our many wonderful club members are recognised and involved in shaping the direction we want to go as a vibrant Association.  I encourage every club to come to Croke Park on Saturday the 11th of October and have your say in where we want to go…to the top.”

For further information on the Camogie Club Forum see www.camogie.ie  or email clubforum@camogie.ie

Someone tould these Cork women there was drink in the Cup!

CORK captured a fourth successive TG4 All-Ireland ladies football championship crown as Ulster champions Monaghan were put to the sword at Croke Park on Sunday.

Goal machine Valerie Mulcahy, sent off in the semi-final victory over Tyrone but cleared to play in the decider, bagged 3-2 as the Rebelettes defeated Monaghan by 14 points.

At half-time, just three points separated the sides, Cork leading by 1-8 to 0-8, but the magnificent Leesiders turned up the heat in the second half to ensure a senior ladies football-camogie double in 2008. The killer goal for Cork, Mulcahy’s second five minutes after half-time, was a much-debated effort as the Rockbán ace appeared to be in the square when she fisted Geraldine O’Flynn’s speculative delivery to the net.

Cork were also awarded two penalties during the game, both coolly converted by Mulcahy, and despite their obvious superiority, the winning margin flattered the victors. Monaghan, with forwards Catriona McConnell and Edel Byrne in good form, hung in doggedly in the first half but after recording an impressive semi-final victory over Monaghan, Cork proved a bridge too far.

Mulcahy provided the game’s opening score, a penalty in the third minute, following Christina Reilly’s foul on dual star Mary O’Connor and Monaghan trailed from that moment all the way to the finish. To their credit, the Farney girls did get back to within a point of their much-vaunted opponents on three separate occasions but inspired by Juliet Murphy at midfield, Cork held a three-point half-time advantage.

Mulcahy palmed home that disputed second goal five minutes into the second half to open up a 2-8 to 0-8 lead, a strike which effectively ended the Monaghan resistance. Any faint hopes of an unlikely revival were finally extinguished seven minutes later when substitute Ciara O’Sullivan goaled with her first touch of the game.

Another inspired managerial move was the introduction of Rhona Buckley, who scored two second half points, a clear indication of the strength in depth of this Cork squad. The remarkable Briege Corkery produced a fantastic diving block midway through the second half as a mean Cork defence looked to preserve a clean sheet.

Five minutes from the end, Mulcahy completed her hat-trick of goals when she netted a second penalty after the industrious Mary O’Connor was hauled down once again, this time by Aoife McAnespie.

Cork scorers: V Mulcahy 3-2 (2-0 pens, 0-1f), C O’Sullivan 1-0, J Murphy 0-3f, N Cleary, M O’Connor & R Buckley 0-2 each, A Murphy & A O’Shea 0-1 each.

Monaghan scorers: E Byrne 0-3, C McConnell 0-3 (1f), T McNally 0-2, I Kierans, N Kindlon (f) & C McAnespie 0-1 each.

CORK: E Harte; C Walsh, A Walsh, L Barrett; B Corkery, B Stack, G O’Flynn; J Murphy, N Kelly; N Cleary, M O’Connor, A Murphy; V Mulcahy, A O’Shea, D O’Reilly.

SUBS: R Buckley for C Walsh (29m), C O’Sullivan for O’Reilly (41m), R Buckley for A Murphy (48m), R O’Sullivan for O’Shea (54m), S O’Reilly for Cleary (55m).

MONAGHAN: L Martin; G McNally, S Courtney, C Reilly; A McAnespie, A Lennon, F Courtney; A Casey, I Kierans; C McConnell, N Kindlon, T McNally; C McAnespie, E Byrne, N Fahy.

SUBS: L Connolly for Lennon (44m), C Courtney for McConnell (48m), E McCarron for Fahy (51m), U McNally for Reilly (54m).

Ref: K Tighe (Dublin).

EDEL Hanley kicked ten points as Tipperary captured the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies intermediate title with a three-point victory over Clare at Croke Park on Sunday.

The Premier County made it third time lucky against their Munster rivals this year, having fallen to two defeats against the Banner County earlier in the season. This hard-fought victory was Tipperary’s very first All-Ireland ladies crown at any grade since 1980, when senior success was achieved. Shanahoe star Hanley, who landed seven frees, was the scoring heroine with seven of her points popped over during the second half.

Five minutes after half-time, Clare led by four points but a remarkable run from Tipperary, which saw their opponents held scoreless for the final 18 minutes of play, saw Paddy Morrissey’s charges emerge victorious.  In the last quarter of the game, Tipperary scored six points without reply to turn a 1-8 to 0-8 deficit into an eventual win. At half-time, the sides were level at 0-5 apiece and dangerous Clare forward Áine Kelly went closest to a goal after just three minutes as she dragged a shot wide at the Hill 16 end.

Clare led by 0-3 to 0-1 after just four minutes but Tipp hit back in a tit-for-tat opening half and had edged 0-5 to 0-4 ahead after 20 minutes before Kelly levelled the match on the stroke of half-time. The sides traded points after the break before the pendulum swung dramatically in Clare’s favour when Majella Griffin’s speculative 35th-minute free from the 20m line on the Hogan Stand side dipped into the net over the head of Patricia Hickey.

Kelly tagged on a point and now leading by four, 1-7 to 0-6, Clare looked the most likely winners. But they hadn’t banked on a spirited comeback from Tipperary, spearheaded by Hanley, veteran Angie McDermott and Siobhán Costello at left half back.

Tipp ran at their opponents in waves and Hanley profited from frees as Clare defenders dragged down their opponents.
Majella Griffin’s point 12 minutes after half-time proved to be Clare’s last score of the entire match and a blistering run of six unanswered points, including five from Hanley, secured the title for Tipp.

Clare, who had looked threatening in the first half, had no answers as Tipp tightened up considerably in defence and powered forward by midfield pair McDermott and Mairéad Morrissey, daughter of team manager Paddy, the Premier County ran out deserving winners.

Clare scorers: M Griffin 1-3f, A Kelly 0-4, L Henchy 0-1.

Tipperary scorers: E Hanley 0-10 (7f), S Costello, A McDermott, M Morrissey & G O’Brien 0-1 each.

CLARE: D Walsh; L Kelly, S Kelly, M Delaney; G Lynch, T Hehir, S Eustace; S Malone, L Henchy; M Considine, M Kelly, U Downes; A Kelly, E Considine, M Griffin.

SUBS: F Lafferty for M Kelly (3m), N Keane for Downes (20m), C Considine for Eustace (49m).

TIPPERARY: P Hickey; A O’Dwyer, M Corcoran, C Carroll; A O’Dwyer, T McManus, S Costello; A McDermott, M Morrissey; C Lambert, S Carew, J Grant; E Carroll, G O’Brien, E Hanley.

SUBS: M Luttrell for Grant (42m), C Walsh for E Carroll (42m), N Ferris for Lambert (48m).

Ref: L McDonagh (Sligo).

Double goal scorer Sile Burns wheels away in celebration

SÍLE Burns was the two-goal star as Cork reclaimed the O’Duffy Cup with a five-point victory against Galway in Sunday’s Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship final at Croke Park. Beaten finalists last year, Cork returned to the top of the pile as they collected a 23rd senior title to move just three behind Dublin on the all-time honours list.

This was Cork’s first success since 2006 but this hard-fought win marked their fourth victory in this competition in seven seasons, a testament to their remarkable consistency. Galway were appearing in their first final since 1998, when they were also beaten by Cork, having achieved a last-gasp semi-final victory over last year’s winners Wexford.

Jessie Gill was the goal heroine on that occasion and the Athenry teenager was in good form from placed balls in front of 18,727 spectators at GAA HQ. Gill scored eight points, seven from frees and a 45, but she was unfortunate to see a second half penalty saved by Cork’s brilliant goalkeeper Aoife Murray.  Galway centre forward Therese Maher was fouled by Cork full back and captain Caitriona Foley and Gill’s resultant penalty was blocked by Murray at a crucial stage in the match.

Cork led by just two points, 2-5 to 1-6, prior to the penalty award and moved three clear again when the impressive Rachel Moloney converted a point from play in the 39th minute. Murray may have felt under pressure to redeem herself after allowing Áine Hillary’s speculative shot to drop into the far corner of the net three minutes before half-time. Hillary was shooting for a point from the left wing but the flight of the sliotar deceived the otherwise flawless Murray for Galway’s only score from play of the entire game. That goal handed the Tribeswomen a real lifeline before half-time as they went in just a point behind at the break, 1-5 to 2-3.

Galway, the only team to defeat the Leesiders in the round-robin stage, opened the game with four unanswered points in the opening ten minutes from Gill, three frees and a 45, before the Rebelettes settled. Rachel Moloney’s free after eleven minutes was Cork’s opening score but all of Galway’s good early work was undone when the lethal Síle Burns scored the first of her two goals with 17 minutes on the watch. Eimear O’Sullivan’s ball in from the left touchline broke between Galway corner back Sandra Tannion and Cork’s Elaine O’Riordan; Burns was onto it in a flash and the Rockbán star found the bottom corner.

The tireless Briege Corkery added a point from play, Moloney converted a 45 and Cork had turned a four-point deficit into a two-point advantage in the space of nine minutes. Galway kept plugging away in the second half but their lack of scores from play proved a hindrance as Gill kept the Westerners in touch with some brilliant free-taking.

The penalty miss was a crucial turning point but equally, Susan Earner in the Galway goal was kept busy with saves from Una O’Donoghue and Burns.  At the other end, Murray’s save from Deirdre Burke deep in stoppage time topped the lot, a breathtaking stop as the Galway sub looked certain to bulge the net. That was Galway’s last salvo as Cork held out for a victory which they craved after suffering the heartbreak of final defeat against Wexford 12 months ago.

Cork scorers: R Moloney 0-7 (4f, 2 45s), S Burns 2-0, O Cotter, B Corkery & E O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Galway scorers: J Gill 0-8 (7f, 1 45), A Hillary 1-0.

CORK: A Murray; L O’Connell, C Foley, J O’Callaghan; G O’Connor, M O’Connor, S Hayes; O Cotter, B Corkery; A O’Regan, U O’Donoghue, E O’Sullivan; S Burns, R Moloney, E O’Riordan.

SUBS: E O’Farrell for O’Riordan (h/t), R Buckley for O’Connell (40m), L Dorgan for O’Regan (57m).

GALWAY: S Earner; S Tannion, A Kelly, T Manton; A-Marie Hayes, S Cahalan, N Kilkenny; A Hillary, S Noone; M Dunne, T Maher, V Curtin; O Kilkenny, J Gill, B Kerins.

SUBS: L Kavanagh for Dunne (h/t), C Cormican for Noone (48m), D Burke for Kerins (58m).

Referee: E Browne (Tipperary)

SHÓNAGH Enright scored an injury-time winning goal for Clare as the Banner County claimed the Gala All-Ireland junior camogie crown for the first time since 1986.

Clare bounced back from the heartbreak of three final defeats in the previous five seasons, including last year’s heartbreaking loss to Derry, to finally record a fourth All-Ireland crown at this grade. Offaly, who were chasing a very first success in this competition, were left devastated as Enright, introduced 12 minutes after half-time, handpassed the sliotar to the net with a minute and a half of stoppage time played.

Offaly, who led by 1-7 to 1-3 at half-time, looked to have weathered a second half storm from Clare but they were caught right at the death by Enright. Twice Clare fought back to within a point of their opponents in the second half while at the other end, goalkeeper Denise Lynch kept the Munster outfit in the game with two superb saves.

Enright’s late clincher was harsh on Joachim Kelly’s Offaly, who bounced back from a poor start to lead by four points at the halfway point of an entertaining encounter.

Clare star Carina Roseingrave netted after just five minutes but Offaly hit back with a run of points and the sides were level twice before the midway point in the first half. Offaly, with Arlene Watkins and Tina Hannon in good form, assumed almost complete control before the break and Watkins found the net ten minutes before half-time, showing great skill to control captain Marion Crean’s lengthy delivery before cutting through on goal.

Two further points opened up a 1-7 to 1-2 lead for the Faithful County before Claire Commane hit back for Clare with the final score of the half, her side’s first point for 16 minutes.

A brace of Laura Linnane frees after half-time brought Clare right back into contention before goalkeeper Lynch was called upon to keep out Claire Nevin in the 43rd minute, and Jean Brady just three minutes later. Those point-blank saves proved crucial for Clare and although Offaly led by three points, 1-10 to 1-7, with eight minutes remaining, Linnane’s fourth point of the second half offered a glimmer of hope before Enright struck with that last gasp winner.

Scorers for Clare: C Roseingrave & S Enright 1-1 each, L Linnane 0-4, (3f), S McMahon & C Commane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: T Hannon 0-4, A Watkins 1-1, S Flannery 0-2 (1f), M Morkan 0-2f, F Stephens 0-1.

CLARE: D Lynch; C Hally, S Lafferty, A McInerney; K Lynch, D Corcoran, J Scanlon; C Morey, D Murphy; C Roseingrave, S McMahon, L Linnane; A Ryan, C McMahon, C Commane.

SUBS: F Lafferty for Morey (23m), S Enright for Ryan (42m), Ryan for S McMahon (48m).

OFFALY: A Kennedy; A Kelly, E Darmody, K Brady; S O’Sullivan, M Morkan, L Sullivan; M Crean, K Nugent; S Flannery, T Hannon, M Davis; F Stephens, N McCabe, A Watkins.

SUBS: J Feighery for K Brady (22m), L Keena for Kelly (h/t), J Brady for Davis (38m), A Corrigan for Flannery (50m), A Kelly for J Brady (50m).

Referee: U Kearney (Armagh)

Meteor and Kilmacud Crokes announced details of the annual Meteor Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens that will take place on Saturday 6th of September 2008. Proudly supporting the official launch of the 35th Hurling Sevens were Paraic Duffy, Director General of the GAA, Conor Carmody, Meteor’s Director of Marketing and current Cork and Cloyne player Donal Óg Cusack. Also present were former inter-county stars, Michael Duignan of Offaly and Sunday Game fame, Richie Power, Carrickshock native and father of current Kilkenny forward Richie Power (Jnr) and from Waterford the current team selector Peter Queally.

With 40 senior clubs from nine counties competing for the Cup and 16 teams battling it out for the Shield, this year’s tournament guarantees thrilling action and entertainment for players and supporters alike on the eve of the All-Ireland Hurling Final. The tournament will involve over 50 games, played in 6 venues around the Stillorgan area.  Group games begin at 10.30am, with the throw in for the final scheduled for approximately 6.45pm at the Kilmacud Crokes home ground Páirc de Burca, Glenalbyn in Stillorgan village.

Tom Barry, Chairman of Kilmacud Crokes Hurling, welcomed all participants and highlighted that the Meteor Cup is now one of the most coveted prizes in Club Hurling. He also looks forward to a winning relationship with new sponsor, Meteor.

Meteor’s Director of Marketing, Conor Carmody today said, “This is Meteor’s first year as sponsor and we are extremely proud to support such a prestigious sporting event that recognises the wealth of talent that Clubs all over Ireland have to offer. Meteor has long been recognised as the competitive force in the mobile market and we look forward to an equally competitive display of hurling on the 6th of September.”

A host of inter-county players will be in action on the day. The defending champion’s team, Sarsfields from Cork, will include Cork forward Kieran Murphy. Host club and last year’s losing finalists, Kilmacud Crokes will feature Dublin hurlers Ross O’Carroll, James Burke and Niall Corcoran. With team members on duty the following day, Kilkenny’s, Ballyhale Shamrocks (2007 All-Ireland Club Champions) will surely miss Henry Shefflin and Cha Fitzpatrick while from Waterford, Ballygunner will be minus Paul Flynn and Passage East must plan without Eoin Kelly. Carrickshock from Kilkenny and The Déises Abbeyside and Fourmilewater will also compete for honours.

A strong Cork club contingent includes Cloyne (home of The Rock and Donal Óg), Midleton and Carrigtwohill (Niall McCarthy). Joe Deane will line out for his club, Killeagh. There are also large representations from Tipperary including Borris-lleigh (5 times Cup winners) and Toomevara (home of Benny and Tommy Dunne) and from Galway among others, Clarenbridge (Alan Kerins and David Forde) and Kinvara (Shane Kavanagh). Teams >from Limerick, Dublin, Antrim and Wicklow will complete the impressive line-up. Supporters on the day can also be in with a chance to win tickets to the All-Ireland Hurling Final and a Meteor mobile!

The event is also supporting the Headsup , text referral service from Rehab Care, which aims to help young adults in difficulty by offering support group information for a range of issues via Freetext on 50424.

For more information:  www.kilmacudcrokes-hurling.com.