St Rynagh's back in All-Ireland final after victory over Gailltir

ST RYNAGH'S 2-11

GAILLTIR 1-11

ST Rynagh's are back in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final after they scored a hard earned three point win over old rivals Gailltir in windy conditions at McDonagh Park in Nenagh on Saturday.

Once again the battle went right down to the wire but St Rynagh's came through again to set up an All-Ireland final meeting with Salthill Knocknacarra or Portaferry, who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday.

The Offaly champions were deserving winners and could have won the game by a more comfortable margin but having got into a five point lead in the final quarter, allowed their opponents back into the game and had to withstand some late pressure before sealing the win.

This was the fourth year in a row that these sides have met in this championship and there has never been more than four points between them at the end. The Waterford side won the first two meetings but St Rynagh's have now won the last two and are now in a position to retain their All-Ireland title.

It is only six weeks since the sides met in the 2020 All-Ireland final in Thurles and this game followed a remarkably similar pattern to that one. On both occasions St Rynagh's played against the wind in the first half and they went in level at half time. They took an early lead in the second half with the wind behind them but their opponents came back at them and the game was in the balance until the closing minutes when Rynagh's sealed a narrow victory.

The Offaly side were the better side throughout and their work rate was impressive. They defended stoutly and limited Gailltir's scoring opportunities from play – seven of Gailltir's 11 points came from frees. Roisin Egan and Grainne Dolan marshalled the central channel brilliantly, but all around them, their colleagues worked tirelessly and kept Gailltir out.

Rynagh's did play deep, even when they had the wind behind them in the second half and their inside forwards were a little isolated. They were finding it difficult to get the ball past the midfield area as they had players back in defence and with Gailltir winning a lot of ball in that sector, it invited them on a bit and they ate into the Rynagh's lead.

Hanging on to a two point lead deep in injury time, there were fears of another Waterford side repeating what Ballygunner had done the previous week, particularly as they dropped an injury time free into the goalmouth. But Rynagh's defended it well, played the ball out to Mairead Daly, who did brilliantly to carry the ball up the sideline before being fouled and Siobhan Flannery nailed the free to seal a three point win.

The confidence St Rynagh's got from winning the All-Ireland six weeks previously was evident. They combined well as a team, never panicked and showed great belief in themselves and their ability to get over the line. It might have been another tight and tense finish for their supporters but they got the job done and now can look forward to a trip to Croke Park.

Conditions were difficult in McDonagh Park with the wind blowing into the road goals and the pitch soft and bumpy in places. Rynagh's did well in the early exchanges against the wind but after six minutes were caught for a goal. Kate Lynch sent a long ball goalwards, Ellen Gilligan advanced and tried to control the high ball with her hurley but it bounced off it, and Alannah O'Sullivan was on hand the bat it back over her head into the net.

St Rynagh's responded very well and were level less than two minutes later. Emma Corcoran made a good run and sent a shot goalwards which dropped short. Ciara Jackman advanced to gather but as she rose the ball, Linda Sullivan neatly flicked it into her own hand and was left with an open goal in front of her and she duly levelled. Kate Kenny added a point from free and another from play to put them two up after 13 minutes.

Gailltir came back and Laoise Forrest had a goal chance but sent her effort over the bar. Aoife Fitzgerald pointed two frees to restore their lead but Siobhan Flannery levelled with a good team score. Mairead Daly was then denied by a brilliant Ciara Jackman save but Kate Kenny's free put them back in front only for Laoise Forrest to level again and the sides were in deadlocked at 1-4 apiece.

Kate Kenny from a free and a fine point from Grainne Dolan advancing up the field put Rynagh's two up three minutes after the restart but they didn't build on that and two Aoife Fitzgerald frees had the sides level after nine minutes. Mairead Daly put Rynagh's back in front after taking a pass from Roisin Egan but Laoise Forrest brought the sides level again for the sixth and final time.

Midway through the half Rynagh's had a great goal chance when Kate Kenny's free came back off the crossbar but Siobhan Flannery somehow screwed her shot wide. She made amends a minute later when after taking a pass from Helen Dolan, she was fouled for a penalty. Roisin Egan fired her shot into the top right corner and when Kate Kenny added a great point from play and then pointed a free, they were five points up with 10 minutes left.

At last it seemed they might have some breathing space but Gailltir had other ideas. Annie Fitzgerald pointed a free but straight from the puck out Mairead Daly gathered and pointed at the other end. Molly Comerford pointed for Gailltir and Annie Fitzgerald pointed two more frees and the gap was down to two as the game entered injury time. They had another chance from a 50m free which Shauna Fitzgerald opted to drop in. It was a bit too short and Rynagh's came out with the ball, Mairead Daly eventually being fouled and Siobhan Flannery pointed the free five minutes into injury time, which sealed the win for the Offaly side.

Rynagh's had lots of stars with Elaine Sullivan, Emma Corcoran, Grainne Dolan, Roisin Egan, Helen Dolan, Linda Sullivan, Mairead Daly, Louise Mannion and Kate Kenny all making big contributions in a big team performance.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

ST RYNAGH'S: Ellen Gilligan; Sinead Moran, Elaine Sullivan, Meadbh Doorley; Emma Corcoran, Grainne Dolan, Katie O'Connell; Helen Dolan, Roisin Egan; Louise Mannion, Mairead Daly, Sinead Hanamy; Linda Sullivan, Kate Kenny, Siobhan Flannery. Sub. Roisin Daly (for Elaine Sullivan, 61 mins).

GAILLTIR: Ciara Jackman; Hannah Flynn, Maeve Sheridan, Aoife Hartley; Leah Sheridan, Clodagh Carroll, Emily Mahony; Kate Lynch, Shauna Fitzgerald; Ciara O'Sullivan, Laoise Forrest, Anne Corcoran; Alannah O'Sullivan, Annie Fitzgerald, Aoife Fitzgerald. Sub. Molly Comerford (for Aoife Fitzgerald, 45 mins).

REFEREE: Barry Nea (Westmeath)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

In a fine team performance, Roisin Egan had a great game for St Rynagh's. Along with Grainne Dolan, they shored up the centre of the Rynagh's defence and combined very well together. Roisin came out with the ball on countless occasions and delivered good ball into the forwards and she planted her penalty perfectly into the top corner.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

That Roisin Egan penalty was finally the score that put daylight between the sides. Gailltir had stuck well with Rynagh's playing against the wind in the second half but the penalty gave Rynagh's a bit of breathing space, particularly when quickly followed by two Kate Kenny points, and ultimately it was the score which divided the sides at the finish.

REFEREE WATCH

Referee Barry Nea had an extraordinary start to the game. The first action of the game ended with the ball going over the sideline and suddenly the referee was spotted sprinting off the pitch heading towards the dressing rooms. Comically gates were locked and he couldn't get there. Apparently he needed a new whistle which someone quickly provided and we got on with the game. Otherwise he was mainly consistent in his application of the rules and was fair to both sides and handled the game well.

TALKING POINT

Rynagh's and Gailltir have become great rivals in recent years and this was the fourth time in succession that they met. They now have two wins each but Rynagh's can go one better than their rivals if they retain their title in the final as Gailltir only managed one win from their three final appearances.

WHAT’S NEXT

St Rynagh's advance to their second All-Ireland final in two months (and third in a row) against Salthill Knocknacarra or Portaferry, while Gailltir's championship campaign is over.

VENUE WATCH

After two storms during the week, it wasn't surprising that the Nenagh pitch was heavy and a bit bumpy in places. There was plenty of parking at the venue, which was well marshalled and organised.

STATISTICS

Wides; St Rynagh' 3 (1 in first half) Gailltir 4 (3 in first half)

Yellow Cards: St Rynagh's 0 Gailltir 1 (Laoise Forrest)

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

St Rynagh's; Kate Kenny (0-6, 0-4 frees), Linda Sullivan and Roisin Egan (penalty) (1-0 each), Siobhan Flannery (one free) and Mairead Daly (0-2 each), Grainne Dolan (0-1).

Gailltir; Aoife Fitzgerald (0-4, frees), Annie Fitzgerald (frees) and Laoise Forrest (0-3 each), Allanah O'Sullivan (1-0), Molly Comerford (0-1).