Mount Leinster Rangers dethrone reigning champions Camross
Mount Leinster Rangers' Molly Kavanagh secures the sliotar ahead of Camross's Luisne Delaney.
Mount Leinster Rangers produced one of the most memorable results in the club’s recent history on Saturday, ending Camross’s reign as Leinster Club Intermediate Camogie champions in an incredibly tight preliminary quarter final.
Camross, who were only crowned Laois champions the previous weekend, came into the game as strong favourites, having completed a remarkable Laois, Leinster and All-Ireland Club Championship treble last season.
But persistent wind and rain levelled the playing field and the Carow champions made the most of their opening. Rangers managed the conditions extremely well and ultimately left with a stunning two-point victory.
Camross made an excellent start and raced into a three-point lead before Mount Leinster Rangers got off the mark through Ciara Kavanagh, who converted two frees to bring the Carlow champions back into contention.
Camross responded with the final point of the opening half to take a 0-4 to 0-2 lead into the break. Grainne Delaney, Lara Culleton, Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald and Aimee Collier were all on target for the Laois champions during the first half, with four different players contributing to their tally.
Mount Leinster Rangers needed a strong start to the second half and Ciara Kavanagh duly delivered, converting another free to leave the minimum between the sides.
The Carlow champions then drew level at four points apiece with a score from Roisin Joyce before a crucial goal from Shannon Kavanagh put them firmly in the driving seat.
Another Joyce point followed for Mount Leinster Rangers as they took control of the contest, leaving Camross with work to do in the closing stages.
Camross responded with two points in succession, with Aimee Collier and Fitzgerald finding the target to give the reigning champions hope of salvaging their Leinster campaign.
However, those scores proved to be their last of the afternoon as Mount Leinster Rangers held on to secure a 1-5 to 0-6 victory in the challenging conditions.
Having blown the Championship wide open, the Carlow champions now move on to the quarter-finals proper, where they will host Emerals of Kilkenny this coming Sunday, November 1st, with throw-in at 2pm.
Shannon Kavanagh 1-0, Ciara Kavanagh 0-3 (3fs), Roisin Joyce 0-2.
Aimee Collier (1f) and Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald 0-2 each, Lara Culleton and Grainne Delaney 0-1 each.
Catherine Kavanagh; Tara Kavanagh, Áine Ryan, Alice Dalton; Kathleen Fenlon, Rachel Breen, Sarah Joyce; Molly Kavanagh, Martha Dolan; Sarah Kehoe, Ciara Kavanagh, Roisin Joyce; Rachel Kennedy, Eimear Byrne, Rachel Bible.
Shannon Kavanagh for Byrne (ht).
Niamh Dollard; Mairead Burke, Aisling Burke, Fiona Scully; Aoife Collier, Donnagh Mortimer, Annabelle Ryan; Luisne Delaney, Aimée Collier; Lara Culleton, Gráinne Delaney, Andrea Scully; Erin Walsh, Sarah Anne Fitzgerald, Kirsten Keenan.
Leah Daly, Aoife Daly, Tara Lowry, Clare Fitzgerald, Ava Guilfoyle, Ella Cuddy.
