Classy Comerford rescues a last gasp replay for never-say-say Gailltír
Gailltir's Mollie Comerford scores a fantastic second half goal for her side with this shot during their Munster Club Senior Camogie Final played at Fethad Park on Sunday last. Photos: Noel Browne.
Relief for Gailltir, rage for Truagh Clonlara after a controversial finish to Sunday’s Munster final.
Molly Comerford rescued a replay for the Waterford champions with an 66th minute equaliser. Surrounded by bright yellow jerseys, she somehow got her strike away and the sliotar dropped between the posts. The Déise footballer scored 1-4 from play for the blue and navy.
Truagh Clonlara felt hard done by as only three minutes were signalled. Team mentors questioned referee Andy Larkin on the field afterwards. They were ready to celebrate their first senior provincial title when Clare attacker Áine O’Loughlin nailed a free on 63 minutes. Her sixth point of the day. The Banner side then made a substitution to wind down the clock.
Shauna Fitzgerald soloed through on goal but got hooked. That looked like Gailltir’s last chance. It wasn’t. The Clare FM commentary team shook their heads in disbelief as play continued. Even when Eimear Kelly ran out with the ball, it still wasn’t over. Gailltir worked a sideline into the centre, substitute Ciara O’Sullivan slipped the ball to Comerford and she did the rest.
Confusion reigned when Larkin eventually blew it up, especially among supporters. Replay or extra time? The programme indicated extra time but both clubs were notified of a replay beforehand. An announcement was made over the speaker. They will have to go again next weekend.
Countless rucks led to countless throw balls in a tough and tactical battle. The presence of sweepers Clodagh Carroll and Sinead Hogg meant that space was at a premium. There wasn’t room to swing a hurley with hooks, blocks and tackles flying in. Róisín Begley got down on her knees at one stage to block Kate Lynch.
Gailltir must be more clinical next time out. They missed five placed balls with Emma Fitzgerald and Laoise Forrest off target. Four games in four weeks also took its toll.
Molly Comerford looked sharp from beginning to end. Every time the number fourteen got the ball, she threatened to score. Goalkeeper Noelle Murphy made a brilliant save from Rebecca Foley and dealt confidently with high balls. Annie Fitzgerald showed flashes of her ability. She won two big frees in injury time.
The aerial ability and accuracy of Áine O’Loughlin caused problems for the Gailltir defence as did the physicality of Rebecca Foley. The Begley sisters (Eimear and Róisín) and Eimear Kelly brought energy and work rate throughout.
This match was switched from the 3G pitch in Fethard to the grass pitch during the week. That meant no stand for Sunday’s double header. Thankfully, it stayed dry. Both clubs wear blue and navy but Gailltir didn’t have to change colours as they were founded earlier than Truagh Clonlara.
A lone bagpiper led the teams around in the parade. Annie Fitzgerald started at full forward and her team mates tried to find her early on. That tactic didn’t pay dividends however and she moved further out to get on ball. Comerford settled in right away and two points inside twelve minutes gave them the lead. The second came from a pinpoint Clodagh Carroll pass. Ciara Sherlock sent over a long range point before Fitzgerald showed off her footwork to make it 4-2.
Clonlara goalkeeper Sophie Cullen was then penalised for stepping outside the square with the puckout. Emma Fitzgerald made amends for two earlier misses by converting the 45. Noelle Murphy then denied Rebecca Foley from point blank range. Gailltir were penalised for steps but a point from Áine O’Loughlin was a small price to pay. Fitzgerald and O’Loughlin traded frees to bring a scrappy first half to a close (0-6 to 0-4).
The floodlights came on as O’Loughlin plucked a ball and swung a point over her shoulder. The robust Rebecca Foley then powered forward to level it up. On 39 minutes, Comerford grabbed a Sherlock delivery on the run and unleashed a low shot that bobbled to the back of the net (1-6 to 0-6). A superb O’Loughlin point, tight to the sideline, lifted the Clonlara crowd. Eimear Begley then wormed her way through and her shot bounced into the corner past Noelle Murphy (1-7 to 1-6).
A sensational catch from Alannah O’Sullivan created the equaliser for Comerford. Eimear Kelly reclaimed the lead for Clonlara. Laoise Forrest and Comerford missed chances before Kelly skated away from the blue and navy backs. It was a run that deserved a score but her shot struck the post.
In a nail biting finish, Emma Fitzgerald equalised following a foul on Annie Fitzgerald. She missed a subsequent free. The teenager took a hefty shoulder challenge in the second half and it affected her striking. O’Loughlin looked to have won it but, as Clonlara begged for the whistle, Comerford got Gailltir out of jail. Another late, late show from Róisín Hartley’s side.
Molly Comerford 1-4, Emma Fitzgerald 0-3 (2fs, 1 45), Annie Fitzgerald, Ciara Sherlock 0-1 each.
Áine O’Loughlin 0-6 (4fs), Eimear Begley 1-0, Eimear Kelly 0-2, Rebecca Foley 0-1.
Noelle Murphy; Faye Murphy, Maria Brennan, Maeve Sheridan; Shauna Fitzgerald, Clodagh Carroll, Aoife Hartley; Kate Lynch, Ciara Sherlock; Anne Corcoran, Laoise Forrest, Molly Comerford; Alannah O’Sullivan, Annie Fitzgerald, Emma Fitzgerald.
Emer Walshe for Corcoran (47), Ciara O’Sullivan for Hartley (50).
Sophie Cullen; Sinead Ryan, Michelle Powell, Sinead Hogg; Ellen Horgan, Laura Foley, Louise Egan; Eimear Begley, Róisín Begley; Eimear Kelly, Joanne Egan, Hannah Horgan; Leah Hawes, Rebecca Foley, Áine O’Loughlin.
Niamh Ryan for Hawes (HT), Aoibhin Marren for Hannah Horgan (41), Leah Hawes for Joanne Egan (64).
Andy Larkin (Cork)
Molly Comerford enjoyed her finest hour in a Gailltir jersey.
Comerford’s late, late equaliser.
Where did the six extra minutes come out of?
Take two next weekend.
