Camogie glory for Charleville and Nemo Rangers

Weather played havoc with last weekend’s scheduled county finals with just two of the four scheduled games going ahead.

CHARLEVILLE TAKE INTERMEDIATE TITLE:

Charleville overcame Sliabh Rua to take the SE Systems Intermediate title with superb displays from Fiona Nelligan, captain Kate Liddy, and Niamh Gemell. 

Playing with the aid of the strong wind they set the foundations for victory with a strong opening 30 minutes as they built up a 2-9 to 0-3 interval lead. Sliabh Rua battled hard but it was a bridge too far as they were unable to cut back the deficit.

Charleville led 0-5 to 0-2 after 10 minutes. A Kate Liddy goal at the end of the opening quarter extended their lead and when Niamh Gemell found the net three minutes later it put 10 points between the sides. 

Three Nelligan points before the break gave Charleville a huge advantage as they turned to play against the strengthening wind.

Laura Doyle extended the lead with an early point on the resumption but Sliabh Rua hit a purple patch and five points without reply, four from Caoimhe Horgan and one from Kate Redmond, saw them eat into the gap and going into the fourth quarter, the lead was cut to six. 

Sliabh Rua missed two chances to cut the gap further and Charleville responded. Gemell finished superbly to the net for their third goal. They swapped points before another Liddy goal ensured there was no way back. Nelligan was named The Echo Player of the Match after a tremendous display.

NEMO CROWNED JUNIOR C CHAMPIONS:

Nemo Ranges turned an eight-point interval deficit into a five-point victory against Laochra Óg to take the SE Systems Junior C championship title.

Laochra Óg had the wind advantage and pushed ahead 2-5 to 0-3. Ava McSweeney opened their account and Caoimhe Power responded. Goals from Ava O'Connell and Aisling O'Leary, along with further points from McSweeney and Laura O'Brien gave them a fine lead, with Cassandra Fitzgerald and Power keeping Nemo in touch.

The city side grabbed an Orla O'Donovan goal on the restart and found the net again straight away through Gemma Heaphy. Laochra Óg responded with a point but Nemo fired four in a row to lead. Darcy O'Brien's free tied the game again. 

Saoirse Collins, Martha Scully and Aisling O'Connell were impressive at the back for Nemo, and Power showed her pace to slot over two more points. Megan O'Donovan McCarthy denied Laochra Óg with two superb saves before sending a long-range free all the way to the Mid Cork side's net to seal the victory.

Nemo defender Saoirse Collins was named as The Echo Player of the Match.

Meanwhile,  the SE Systems Premier Intermediate semi-final between Ballinhassig and Fr O’Neill’s will take place on Saturday at 2pm at Blarney and the Junior A final between Bishopstown and Blarney will take place at 4.30pm at Castle Road also on Saturday.