Defiant Athenry can finish the job in club final replay

ATHENRY are set for round two of their All-Ireland senior camogie decider with Cork and Munster champions St. Finbarr’s, which takes place at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday (5:15pm). Camogie followers are certainly in for a New Year’s treat if the replay produces as much drama as the drawn encounter at Croke Park three weeks ago.

On that occasion, Athenry struck for a last gasp equaliser through Kayla Madden in the fifth minute of injury time to ensure the sides will meet again to decide the destination of the Bill and Agnes O’Carroll Cup for 2025.

Joe Rabbitte’s charges were staring down the barrel of defeat late in the second half, before mounting a stirring late comeback. Inspired by Galway camogie legend Therese Donohue, and sparked by Anna Jordan’s 56th minute goal, Athenry struck for 1-3 without reply to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat.

Athenry did not emerge from the game unscathed and will be hoping some injury concerns clear up in time for Saturday. Wing forward Eimear Keane sustained a broken finger which will be assessed in the coming days while sharpshooter Sabina Rabbitte picked up an ankle injury in the first half, which all in Athenry are hoping won’t limit her involvement.

Goalkeeper Laura Freeney suffered a concussion in an incident where she came off her line to bravely divert a dangerous dropping ball. However, her availability isn’t expected to be in doubt for Saturday.

Despite carrying a cruciate injury, Olwen Rabbitte came through the drawn game reasonably well, with only some minor swelling on her left knee in the aftermath.

Team manager Joe Rabbitte confirmed that Christmas was postponed for the players, with the team training on St. Stephens’ Day in their bid to leave no stone unturned for Saturday’s replay. The Athenry boss was eagerly anticipating another big day out for the club.

‘‘Its great to be there again,’’ he said. ‘‘We definitely learned a lot from the drawn game. We learned that we can’t switch off like we did in the second half, and we can’t let a team get a run on us like that. Your luck can run out sometimes too if you’re not careful, and we’ll be hoping we aren’t in that position again where we’re chasing it.

‘‘Its another big day out for our supporters and everyone is really looking forward to going down to Thurles on Saturday. There’s still a big prize there for us, and we have to make sure we give it our all on the day.’’

Pictured: Athenry’s Kayla Madden after scoring the equalising point to send the All-Ireland Club Senior Camogie Final against St Finbarr's to a replay. That game takes pace in Thurles on Saturday evening.