Oranmore Maree stun Athenry in Galway Senior Camogie semi-final
Oranmore-Maree stunned the defending county and All-Ireland club champions Athenry, by knocking them out of the senior A camogie championship at the semi-final stage on Sunday afternoon in Kilbeacanty. Barry Leenane’s charges upset the odds with a performance full of spirit and determination as they dethroned the title holders 0-15 to 1-11.
The vast majority of camogie followers had expected this year’s county final to feature the last two All-Ireland title holders, Athenry and Sarsfields. A repeat of last year’s title decider was almost considered a certainty before the weekend.
However, Oranmore-Maree had different ideas and deservedly booked their place in a first county final since 2023. They now have the opportunity to face a Sarsfields side which previously defeated them in three consecutive county finals (2021, 2022 & 2023).
With just one championship win under their belts coming into this game, the formbook certainly didn’t indicate that Oranmore-Maree were capable of turning over the defending champions. However, they received a timely boost before their quarter final victory over Ardrahan, with the return of former county player Niamh Hanniffy to the side.
Athenry entered this game as overwhelming favourites. However, Joe Rabbitte’s charges had to start without the injured Olwen Rabbitte and Dervla Higgins, as well as the suspended Sinéad Feeney.
Oranmore-Maree were without experienced defenders Christina Brennan and Tara Lawrence on the day. They also had to overcome a difficult start to the game when Athenry’s Kerri O’Driscoll found the net in the opening minutes. However, the underdogs soon showed that they meant business.
Leenane’s charges recovered from the concession of the early goal to lead by 0-7 to 1-3 after fifteen minutes. Ailish O’Reilly (free), and Kayla Madden exchanged points at either end, before Oranmore-Maree tallied three in a row. O’Reilly, Niamh Hanniffy, and an excellent effort from Rachael Hanniffy left the score at 0-4 to 1-1.
Sabina Rabbitte soon pointed a free for Athenry, but the underdogs replied with another three consecutive scores. O’Reilly (two, one free), and full forward Niamh Farrell saw them take a two point lead, before Jessica Gill replied with a point for Athenry.
Two converted frees from Rabbitte during the next five minutes edged the defending champions back in front. However, Oranmore-Maree finished the half strongly. O’Reilly sent over three points, including two superb efforts from play, to leave the underdogs ahead at half-time on a 0-10 to 1-5 scoreline.
Rabbitte’s charges made a strong start to the second half, with three early scores. Two impressive points from O’Driscoll and a Clodagh Burke effort saw them reclaim the lead. Two frees from O’Reilly at the other end, either side of Burke’s second point for Athenry, saw the contest level midway through the second half.
Leenane’s side found another gear during the next ten minutes and tallied three consecutive points. O’Reilly found the range from three placed balls, as Athenry committed fouls under pressure from a hugely committed Oranmore-Maree side.
The underdogs led by three points late in normal time, but Athenry refused to go down without a fight. Rabbitte pointed a ’45 and an injury time free, but there was no time to complete a comeback as Oranmore-Maree held on for a shock victory.
Oranmore-Maree: S. Mannion; C. Hanniffy, S. Duffy, A. Finn; A. Burke, R. Black, F. Leenane; R. Hanniffy (0-1), H. Mangan; C. Mahon, N. Hanniffy (0-1), A. O’Reilly (0-12, 0-7 frees, 0-1 ’45); G. Tarpey, N. Farrell (0-1), A. Black. Subs: E. O’Donovan for Tarpey (44), R. Coleman for A. Black (50), L. Stephens for Mahon (55), S. Keady for Farrell (58), E. O’Donnell for Burke (60).
Athenry: L. Freeney; N. Feeney, K. Screene, T. Kilkenny; L. Casserly, T. Donohue, A. Hannon; K. Madden (0-1), J. McNamara; K. O’Driscoll (1-2), J. Gill (0-1), E. Keane; C. Burke (0-2), S. Rabbitte (0-5, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ’45), E. McGlynn. Subs: A. Jordan for McNamara (HT), D. Higgins for Hannon (43), M. Noone for Keane (53), O. Rabbitte for Gill (56).
Referee: Kevin Egan.