Flynn hits hat-trick as great rivals face off again

De La Salle and Gailltir will clash in the Waterford senior camogie final for the fourth year in a row this weekend. Both sides enjoyed comprehensive wins in last Sunday’s semi-final double header at a stormy SETU Arena.

Waterford attacker Abby Flynn netted a hat trick as De La Salle ran out 21 point victors against St Anne’s in the curtain raiser (5-11 to 0-5). The number fourteen raised two green flags inside five minutes and finished the afternoon with a personal tally of 3-3 from open play. 2023 Player of the Year Beth Carton contributed six points from frees.

The Gracedieu outfit, who are aiming for three county titles in a row this year, led 2-10 to 0-3 at the break. Niamh Murphy and Maggie Gostl added further majors in the second period before Flynn completed her hat trick. Abbie Mullane also chipped in with a point. The defending champions lost wing forward Holly Ryan to injury during the first half.

2020 All Star attacker Niamh Rockett shot four points for St Anne’s (three from frees) while Niamh Halley also split the uprights. This was their fourth semi-final loss in a row.

The second game turned out to be another one-sided affair as Gailltir beat Brickey Rangers 4-12 to 0-4. Déise dual star Annie Fitzgerald got two goals for the blue and navy. Substitute Emer Walshe put her hand up for a county final start with 1-1 off the bench. Déise defender Laoise Forrest also got among the goals. Aoife Fitzgerald struck a point on her introduction.

There has only been a puck of a ball between De La Salle and Gailltir in the last three county deciders. Gailltir won by three points in 2021, Salle by two in 2022 and Salle by one in 2023. Last year’s showdown was a hard hitting affair which Salle shaded by nine points to eight. Unsurprisingly, Beth Carton came up with the match winning score. Gailltir have the hunger but De La Salle have the firepower. Carton and company can complete the treble.