U23 Camogie with dominant win secures place in the U23 B All Ireland Final

Dublin V Limerick

2pm St Peregrines, D15

Despite the miserable weather on Saturday afternoon and with many other pitches deemed unplayable, it is a great compliment to St Peregrines Club that their pitch handled the weather perfectly. There was one change on the Dublin team, Nina Brennan started in place of Niamh Roche in corner back. Straight from the throw in Dublin were running hard which yielded a point for Grainne Skelton after 50 seconds after a strong run dissecting the middle of the pitch. 

At the 6th minute, Joye Atkinson, named at 11 but playing in front of goal, grabbed her first point of the day after a great steal by Niamh Comerford. Comerford who was on Free taking duties tapped over her first dead ball after 9 minutes. Dublin were well on top at this stage and were definitely more alert to the breaking ball and when a free from Comerford dropped into the Limerick box this time it was the home town player from St Peregrines, Aoife Deegan, who grabbed the bouncing sliotar and drove it into the Limerick net. Grainne Skelton worked another point after lovely inter play but then was very unlucky to drive the sliotar off the crossbar when the play deserved a goal. End of 1st quarter Dublin 1-04; Limerick 0-00 .

Dublin were not easing up as demonstrated by a great point from the right wing from Grace Shanahan. With 20 minutes left, Róisín Ní Chathasaigh sent a high dropping ball into the Limerick box as Aoife Deegan ran in like every forward should. Uncertain if there was a touch but either way Aoife’s run certainly distracted the Limerick goalie enough to see the sliotar find the back of the net. We’ll leave Róisín and Aoife argue over that one! Over next 10 minutes Dublin registered 3 more points (Both Skelton and Ellen Dunphy from play while Comerford popped over a free) while after 26 minutes Limerick’s No 15 Carla Griffin scored their first point of the match from a free. 

Half Time: Dublin 2-08 Limerick 0-01

At half time Dublin made 3 changes: 

Caoimhe Tierney for Niamh Comerford 

Emma Moran on for Joye Atkinson

Amy Carey for Aoife Deegan

The Dubs wasted no time and started again just the way they finished. Ní Chathasaigh got the first score after 2 minutes followed by a free from Sinead O’Hanlon who had taken over free taking responsibility. 34 minutes in, Éile O’Ceallaigh replaced Ní Chathasaigh and was straight into action scoring a great point after a nice handpass from Skelton. Just after 40 minutes in, O’Hanlon got her second free of the game. Dublin’s 5th substitute saw Ruby Wood replaced Ellen Dunphy. Limerick finally had a dominant period which required some great defending by the Dublin backs and in particular Sophie Brennan in the Dublin goal who made 3 crucial saves. This meant that Limerick were restricted to only 2 points. Back came Dublin knocking over 2 points within 60 seconds from Amy Carey and Emma Moran to cancel out Limericks efforts. The final score of the match was left to Sinead O’Hanlon. Final score Dublin 2-15 to Limerick 0-03

Congratulations Girls. A really super performance in tough conditions. This victory means that in 2 weeks Dublin will face Wexford in the U23B Championship Final.