Carlow will be playing intermediate camogie once more in 2022.
Going down to the wire this weekend, Carlow and Tipperary met in John Locke Park, Callan, on Saturday evening while Kilkenny and Wexford were battling it out in the senior quarter-final.
Carlow retained their intermediate status but they had to withstand a magnificent second-half rally by Tipperary before doing so by 2-19 to 3-11 at the John Lockes grounds in Callan, the Premier county’s second-string outfit now making the drop to the premier junior grade next year.
A Ciara Kavanagh goal four minutes into play sent Carlow on their way and with Kate Nolan on fire and Caoimhe Cody and Ciara Quirke also on the mark, they were 1-14 to 0-4 ahead at halftime.
Tipp threw everything at their survival effort after the resumption but Carlow had built up too much of an advantage.
Tipperary did find a goal of their own early in the second half but were never able to completely close the gap.
By the time the water break hit in the second half, the Premier trailed 1-17 to 1-07 as Carlow continued to press on. A second goal courtesy of Kate Nolan landed with under ten minutes to play but showing fight, Tipperary hit a double salvo late in the game to trim the lead all the way to five points.
It’s there the score would stay though, Carlow running out 2-19 to 3-11 winners in Callan to retain their intermediate status for 2022.
Additional reporting Daragh Ó Conchúir.
