Granemore 0-11 Ballymacnab 0-9
Granemore picked up the Senior Camogie championship title for the second year running with a two point win over Ballymacnab.
It’s the fourth year in a row that the two sides have locked horns in the decider. Granemore, like last year, came out on top this time.
And they were made to work for it. The Nab held a 5-1 lead in the opening period, but Granemore were the better team after the turnaround.
At the end, Ballymacnab pushed hard for a goal that would steal the crown, but Granemore defended with their lives.
Up front, it was the accuracy of sharpshooter Rachael Merry, who scored 0-7 on the night, that kept them on top.
Granemore opened the scoring in the first half as Merry split the posts with a free before Ballymacnab took control.
Five on the bounce gave the Nab a four point cushion at the 20 minute mark. Ellie McKee and Eimear Smyth both hit two apiece with Naoise Hughes also pointed.
Merry closed the gap with a pointed free, followed by a score from Laura Carr to leave two the difference at half time. Ballymacnab ahead 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval.
Four points on the trot inside the opening eight minutes of the second half saw Granemore get their noses ahead.
Merry was responsible for 0-3 (two frees) while Corinna Doyle also raised a white flag to edge her side two in front.
Smyth pointed from the dead ball at the other end while Merry (free) and Aoibheann O’Hare swapped scores.
Merry drove over a further score which was closely followed by a Ciara Hill point to keep Granemore three ahead.
Ballymacnab battled back and saw that lead dwindle down to the minimum with points from Smyth (free) and McKee along with some heroic goalkeeping from Catherine Bradley.
But they couldn’t find the equalising score and it was a superb effort from Merry that sealed the deal for Granemore and secured the two in a row.
