James Stephens 1-10
Castlegar 0-08
James Stephens have booked their place in Saturday’s All-Ireland intermediate camogie final after a five-point victory over Castlegar in today’s semi-final in the University of Limerick.
There were freezing cold conditions in Limerick but there was a red-hot start as Castlegar’s Emma Murphy and wing-back Emma Manogue exchanged early scores in the opening stages as both sides wrestled for control of the game.
Sophie O’Dywer moved her side into the lead for the first time with two points in quick succession before a Lucy Power effort was somehow saved by James Stephens goalkeeper Lucy McGrath with Chloe Broderick picking up the rebound to slot over her first point of the game.
The scoreboard highlighted the nature of the close encounter after 15 minutes with James Stephens leading by 0-03 to 0-02 and scoring opportunities few and far between.
O’Dwyer’s free-taking abilities continued to prove crucial for John Scott’s team as she slotted over a third point of the game from a ’45 to double their advantage.
The Village forward starred throughout with two excellent points from play making it 0-06 to 0-02 as the first half moved towards its conclusion.
The Galway outfit got a much-needed score before half-time as Broderick reduced the deficit to a single score with her second point from play.
That was the final score of the opening period as it read James Stephens 0-06 to 0-03 Castlegar at the interval.
O’Dwyer’s impressive display resumed right from the off as she grabbed her sixth point of the game split between dead ball situations and scores from play.
Chloe and Elisha Broderick and Caoimhe Callahan swiftly made it a one-point game as the game entered the final quarter with James Stephens leading by 0-07 to 0-06 but struggling to maintain their early dominance.
Niamh Deely got a pivotal point for the Kilkenny intermediate champions to stem the tide before the key score of the game came with a scruffy goal that extended the lead to five points for the Village.
Elisha Broderick replied for Castlegar but points from O’Dywer and Niamh Deely sealed a deserved win for James Stephens as they can now look forward to the decider in Croke Park against either Down team Clonduff or Kerry’s Clanmaurice.
Throw-in for that game will be 4.15pm and we will be bringing you full live commentary on KCLR.
