Dominic’s camogie diamonds face a tough task
Kaitlin Egan drives her side forward despite the close attention of St. Peter's Anna Kane during the All-Ireland junior camogie semi-final. Picture: INPHO/Paul Barrett
Before the turkey and trimmings go into the oven, the St. Dominic’s camogie diamonds will be aiming to dish up the perfect starter by winning the All-Ireland junior club championship against Antrim champions Brídíní Óga.
John Haughey's side will arrive in Ashbourne on Saturday full of confidence after a commanding semi-final win over St. Peter’s of Dunboyne as they found their scoring form by blasting 2-15 past the Meath holders.
Dominic’s are the third Roscommon club side to reach an All-Ireland club camogie final following in the footsteps of Four Roads and Athleague. On the previous seven occasions the Primrose and Blue champions reached the decider, they have only managed one win as Four Roads beat Corofin of Clare in 2010.
Six final losses show how hard it is to win a junior club All-Ireland and after winning their first-ever club All-Ireland in 2022, the Antrim ladies have the advantage of lifting silverware.
Brídíní Óga are on a roll after two impressive wins in recent weeks over Fullen Gaels in the quarter final and followed that up with a superb semi-final win over Patrickwell by 3-9 to 2-3.
This is the biggest challenge Dominic’s have faced all year and it will take a quality performance to get over the line. In the Ulster final, Brídíní Óga put four goals past Derry holders Dungiven. They have real scoring threats in corner forward Aimee Traynor, who scored 2-1, and Torie Edgar and Molly Woulahan. In full-back Jamie Woulahan, they have one of the best defenders in the game and her side’s nine goals in their last three games showcase their riches up front.
Dominic’s can expect that Jamie Woulahan will be given the job of policing the Knockcroghery lethal weapon Aine O’Meara who poached 2-4 against St. Peter’s. After losing All-Ireland club semi-finals in 2019 and 2022, Johnny Haughey’s side have taken a major step forward by ending their last four hoodoo.
If they are to climb Mount Everest, then Niamh Watson, Aimee O’ Connor, Aine O’Meara, Caroline Dowling, Michelle Rogers and Niamh Fitzgerald will have to be like Santa Claus delivering massive displays.
The heart says St Dominic’s but the head says Brídíní Óga to lift the Phil McBride Cup. ;
Ever since St. Brigid’s entered the knockout championship arena, they have gone on a six-game unbeaten run with five wins and a draw en route to reaching the All-Ireland club SFC semi-final.
The most striking feature of that run has been how different players on different days have stepped up to the plate, ensuring Anthony Cunningham has so many aces in his pack.
During those knockout games decorated with brilliant individual displays, two pillars have remained rock solid. Conor Carroll in goals and the half-back line of Ruaidhrí Fallon, Brian Stack and Paul McGrath have been immense. These assets are as good as any of what the remaining clubs left in the pot have in these key areas. The success story so far began with Ben O’Carroll hitting 1-8 against Roscommon Gaels in the quarter-final and the Derwin brothers scoring 0-5 between them against Clann na nGael in the semi-final.
In the drawn county final against Pádraig Pearses, a Robbie Dolan blockbuster goal proved crucial when the tide seemed to be going against his side. In the replay, Bobby Nugent performed a Van Morrison song ,“There’ll be days like this”, scoring 0-6. Further back the field, Conor Carroll made four extraordinary saves to keep the front door shut.
In the Connacht club semi-final against Ballina, Ruaidhrí Fallon became a real leader and the cherry on top of the cake was his ability to kick long-range inspirational scores with 0-4 against the Mayo champions. In the final against Maigh Cuilinn, and just like Argentina against England in the 1986 World Cup, St. Brigid’s had their own ‘Hand of God’ with 007 Conor Carroll firing over a magnificent seven to sink the Galway champions.
Another moment of magic came from Ciaran Sugrue who had the intelligence and vision to pick out Ruaidhrí Fallon for the winning goal. Come the All-Ireland semi-final, you can be sure somebody else will step up to the plate, maybe midfield duo Shane Cunnane and Eddie Nolan.
Right now, the six-time Connacht club champions are like a Christmas day menu with so many options to choose from.
As Ireland was pulling out of the Eurovision song contest, our teaser performers were hitting the high notes.
Can you name the first county to play eleven games in the All-Ireland senior football championship in the same season? It was Donegal in this season’s championship.
First to perform on stage was QPR, Frenchpark, with Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Pat Deane, Williamstown; Mary Gifillan, Kilmore; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Sean Farrell, Dublin; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Pat, Sligo; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Sean Toolan, Heuston and Michael Kearns, Clapham, finding their voice.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the first club in premier league history to score four home goals and lose? Answers by email to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086-8356227. This week’s teaser came from Athlone.
Star Pupil: Stephen Sherlock, who despite kicking 0-16 for St Finbarr’s, still ended up on the losing side in the Munster club SFC final.
Crucial win for: St Martin’s (Wexford) who won their first ever Leinster club SHC title.
Must do better: Athy will be disappointed they didn’t give Ballyboden a greater test in the Leinster club SFC final.
Spot of bother: St Finbarr’s will spend the winter wondering how they lost the Munster club SFC final to Daingean Uí Chúis.
Weekend highlight: For tension, passion, drama and skill, the Leinster club SHC final between St. Martin’s and Ballyhale Shamrocks left us adults feeling like children watching the Late Late Toy Show.
What a cracker: In the last football game of the year the pressure is on Kilcoo and Scotstown in the Ulster club SFC final to ensure what has been a brilliant year for Gaelic football ends on a high.
“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow your progress, you are still way ahead of everyone else who isn’t trying.”
No club in the history of the GAA has ever won All-Ireland senior club titles at football, hurling and camogie.
With two out of three, St. Finbarr’s have the chance of greatness by winning the senior club camogie championship against Athenry on Sunday in Croke Park.
One of the greatest GAA club teams, the Kilkeerin/Clonberne ladies' footballers are seeking a fifth consecutive All-Ireland senior club title on Saturday in Croke Park against first-time finalists, St. Ergnat’s of Moneyglass, Antrim.
The Galway side have taken club football to another level, and one the Antrim ladies may not be able to live with.
