West Cork teams clash in derby final to decide destination of camogie title

BY SHIRLEY MOLONEY

THIS Friday in Bandon will see a local derby to determine the destination of the county senior B camogie league title as Clonakilty clash with Kilbrittain/Timoleague (7.30pm).

Kilbrittain/Timoleague, who have been competing in the senior B grade for the last ten years after a brief flirtation with the top flight in the mid-2000s, will line out with a blend of youth and experience in their ranks. 

This year saw a combining of the intermediate and senior B grades in the league to provide more competitive games for the intermediate grade, where only five clubs reside.  

En route to the final, Kilbrittain/Timoleague were in a group that contained senior B newcomers Brian Dillons, Aghabullogue, Carrigaline and intermediate side Enniskeane.  Having finished on equal points with Dillons, Kilbrittain/Timoleague won out in a play-off fixture to book a place in the quarter-finals against Fr O’Neills.  

With a comprehensive win over the East Cork side, they faced a much tougher challenge from last year’s beaten championship finalists, Éire Óg, but a four-point win was achieved to book their place in the senior B league final for only the second time. 

The side will be looking to experienced campaigners Marion Murphy and Mairéad Dullea in defence as well as Maeve O’Sullivan, while up front they have a lively attack comprised of Sarah Burke, Áine Crowley and Caroline Murphy, who have come through from their U16 county final winning team of 2013.  

In contrast Clonakilty, had stiff competition with Éire Óg, local rivals Barryroe and two South-East intermediate outfits in the form of Tracton and Sliabh Rua in their group.  

However, with victories over three of the sides and a defeat to Éire Óg, Clon saw themselves second in their group and through to a quarter-final spot against a young  Enniskeane. 

Securing a win with five points to spare, Clon went on to account for seasoned campaigners Valley Rovers in the semi-final to book their place in a maiden final.  

Since arriving on the senior B scene in 2011, Clonakilty have secured two championship final spots but were pipped in a replay by local rivals Barryroe in 2012 before succumbing to Ballygarvan in 2014. 

Clon will be without the services of seasoned campaigner Hazel O’Regan, who is absent through injury, however they will be looking to the experience of Cork senior camogie player Libby Coppinger, Ciara Ryan, Cliona O’Regan, Sara Hayes and Mary Hurley between the posts.