LIMERICK BAGGED WHAT they hope will be the first of two All-Ireland titles at adult level this year when they beat Carlow by 2-8 to 1-6 in the Liberty Insurance junior A camogie final in Moneygall.
The Shannonsiders, who will also be represented in the intermediate final on September 14, opened up in the second half with a couple of goals that ensured they had enough in hand to withstand Carlow’s late rally.
The first half was a very low-scoring affair as both teams struggled with the conditions. Eleanor Treacy opened the scoring from a free for Carlow but Catherine Devhal equalised. Marian Doyle and Lisa Scanlon (45) exchanged points, with the latter score coming after a tremendous save by Mary Coady.
The second quarter looked like being completed without any score but a free by Scanlon just before half time left Limerick leading by 0-3 to 0-2 at the break.
Limerick scored the first three points of the second half thanks to Scanlon (two) and Sarah Collins, and when Brid Hannan finished to the Carlow net from close range, Ger Curtin’s girls were flying.
Sinead Meagher scored a hat-trick of goals and Grace O’Brien slotted nine points as Tipperary cruised to a 3-13 to 1-7 success in the All-Ireland U16A final.
Galway scored the first three points of the game thanks to Eimear O’Donovan’s brace from frees and another score from Carrie Dolan, but they failed to score in the remainder of the half. Meagher clocked up two goals and O’Brien shot six points as the Premier girls pulled clear.
Galway managed to tighten up defensively in the second half but could not present a sufficient enough attacking threat. Dolan was rewarded for her efforts with a goal after 58 minutes but there was still time for Meagher to claim her hat-trick.
Waterford beat Derry in the U16B final at Radley Park by 6-17 to 3-5. Derry got off to a strong start with goals from Niamh Gallagher and Claire Mulholland but a goal from Beth Carton, who scored 1-4 in the first half and finished with 2-10, galvanised Waterford.
The Suirsiders went level at the break (1-6 to 2-3) and goals from Carton, Murphy (two), Kate McMahon and Róisín Uniacke ensured a smooth success.
In the U16C decider at Geraldine Park, Laois beat Kildare by 2-8 to 1-4.