Muinebheag and Setanta go head-to-head for intermediate glory
Muinebheag's Rebecca Kelly in action for Carlow. Photo: Pat Ahern.
The intermediate camogie championship consisted of a tight little group involving Setanta, Burren Rangers and Muinebheag. The Bagenalstown side probably have that little bit more experience and they have made it pay by getting to the final.
“We drew with Setanta and beat Burren Rangers. That put us through to the final on score difference. Setanta played Burren Rangers in the semi-final. It should be a tight game. We played each other in the league final and there was only six or seven points. We won the league,” says manager, Mick Lillis.
Rebecca Kelly captains the side and the well-travelled Eve Sinnott lines out at centre-forward. They would like to have Emma Lillis back who is studying in the UK at the moment.
“We would be hoping we can get everyone firing on all cylinders on Saturday. It will be a big occasion,” says Lillis.
Setanta came into 2026 having won the junior the year before when they beat Mount Leinster Rangers in the final. So far this year, they have beaten Burren Rangers and have drawn with Muinebheag. With only three teams in the group there was only one semi-final. Muinebheag went straight to the final on points difference so the other two played for a place in the decider. The Carlow Town side prevailed against Rangers once again.
“First half was good. Second half we lost our way a little bit,” recalled the Setanta manager, Noel Ahearne.
“We were playing into the wind in the second half so there were a couple of factors. In fairness, Burren Rangers upped the ante in the second half and made it a lot more difficult for us.” Muinebheag and Setanta have enjoyed a healthy rivalry this year.
“We played them three times this year. They gave us a right going over in the league. In the league final we got closer to them and we drew with them in the championship. We played well that night. A really good game” says Ahearne.
To keep a steady ship, Setanta will look to Niamh Gray at centre-back and Grace Mackey at full-back. Louise Browne and May Breen-Parle will haves leadership roles in the forwards. It is hoped Niamh Ahearne will have made a recovery from injury and will be able to have a role on county final weekend.
