Three-in-a-row All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie champions St Lachtain’s, Freshford, lost their hold on the Bill Carroll Cup after their 3-11 to 3-6 loss to Athenry in Saturday’s semi-final.
Jessica Gill made a vital contribution for Athenry with 2-6 as the hungrier Galway side booked a place in the final in two weeks time.
Athenry led for most of this game after two goals in the closing stages of the opening half from Sharon Quirke and Jessica Gill ensured the Galway champions held a 2-6 to 0-3 advantage as the interval approached.
However it was St Lachtain’s half-forward Imelda Kennedy who had the final say of the half with her third point ensuring that eight points separated the sides at half-time.
St Lachtain’s cut the deficit on the restart thanks to a Marie O’Connor goal in the 41st minute, but this was quickly cancelled out by a spectacular effort from Gill.
But the resilient Freshford side refused to give up and reduced the gap to five points, thanks to an Ann Dalton goal and points from Kennedy and O’Connor.
A second goal from Ann Dalton further reduced the arrears to three points at the outset of injury time but Athenry remained firm as late Jessica Gill scores sealed a five point win.
Athenry will face Cashel in the All-Ireland final after the Tipperary and Munster champions registered a convincing 2-13 to 2-3 victory in Newry.
Although the eventual winners only scored three points in the second half, early goals from the Tipperary side paved the way for a Cashel victory.
All-Star nominee Louise Mahony was top scorer as reigning Junior All-Ireland champions The Harps of Laois continued their quest for retention of honours thanks to a convincing 3-19 to 1-3 win over Roscommon and Connacht champions Athleague in Ballinasloe.
Two goals in the space of a minute and a half for the Harps in the opening five minutes of this game from Elaine Mahony and Erinne Dunne paved the way as the Midlanders held a comfortable 2-10 to 0-2 advantage.
Although corner forward Kelley Hopkins did manage to get a goal back for Athleague in the second half a convincing team performance ensured a comprehensive victory for The Harps.
The Laois side will face Keady in the decider in a fortnight. Last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists had it tough against Killnamona of Clare before finishing 5-6 to 3-7 winners.
A second half goal rush from the Armagh side ensured a seven points win.
Scorers: Senior
ATHENRY: J Gill (2f, 1 sl) 2-6; L Linnane (2f) 0-3; S Quirke 1-0; N Coen 0-2. ST LACHTAIN'S: A Dalton 2-0; I Kennedy (5f) 0-5; M O’Connor 1-1.
Junior
THE HARPS: Louise Mahony (2f, 2 45) 0-8; E Mahony 1-3; T Bennett 1-1; E Dunne 1-0; A Hanlon 0-3; J Prior, A Mahony (1f) 0-2 each. ATHLEAGUE: K Hopkins (1f) 1-1; R Fallon, A McGeeney 0-1 each.
KEADY: C McKeever 4-0; C Kinsella 0-5; M Murphy 1-0; M Murray 0-1. KILLNAMONA: F Lafferty 1-3; C Rosengrave, P Maloney 1-0 each; C O'Loughlin 0-3; AM McMahon 0-1.
