Champions to shade acid test in Tulla

Clare Senior Camogie Championship Final
Inagh-Kilnamona v Truagh Clonlara at Dr. Daly Park Tulla, Saturday 3.30pm (Andy McMahon, Cratloe)

For the first time since 2020, Clare camogie’s marquee decider will be contested by a new pairing after the titantic three-in-a-row final series between Truagh Clonlara and Scariff-Ogonnelloe was finally halted by their clash at the penultimate stage.
Having fought so hard to finally get their hands on the McMahon Cup, Truagh will be determined to make up for lost time and create further history on Saturday as twelve months on from sealing their first senior crown, they look to retain it in Tulla.
Standing obtrusively in their path are an Inagh-Kilnamona side seeking to wrestle back control as having soared to four titles in five seasons by the turn of the decade, they have struggled ever since to even get back to a final.
Of course, there have been close calls as realistically they should have beaten Scariff-Ogonnelloe in the 2022 semi-final and equally rued not closing out the contest against Truagh at the same stage last year. However, being beaten by the eventual champions twice is scant consolation for the Division 1 League holders who saw off Truagh in a dress rehearsal before the start of the championship.
Clare Hehir has been a revelation as Inagh-Kilnamona’s attacking fulcrum, aided superbly by the Ryan sisters Laoise and Aoibhin that are strategically located on the respective 40’s.
If anything Truagh are even stronger than they were in their dramatic senior breakthrough in Cusack Park last October as having welcomed back the likes of Michelle Powell and Eimear Kelly from long term injuries, they now possess an enviable panel that includes county seniors Aine O’Loughlin, Roisin Begley and Laura Foley.
Arguably sailing through the group without any real test, they were almost caught by a young Scariff-Ogonnelloe side last Saturday, only to just shade matters in extra-time. That timely scare should steel them for what will undoubtedly be their toughest test to date as they seek to learn from their hurlers’ premature exit and cling tightly to their prestigious crown.

Inagh-Kilnamona Panel: Sinead Power, Laura Rynne (Joint-Captains); Claire Commane, Eimear Cotter, Cathy Cullinan, Ailbhe Devitt, Caoimhe Devitt, Kate Dowling, Jane Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgibbon, Danielle Griffin, Tierna Hegarty, Clare Hehir, Helen Hehir, Fiona Lafferty, Ella Leyden, Aine Longe, Cara McInerney, Mary McInerney, Cliodhna Queally, Shauna Queally , Michaela Roughan, Aoibhin Ryan, Laoise Ryan, Elisha Rynne, Amy Shannon, Hannah Shannon, Elisha Twomey, Orla Vaughan

Management: Eugene Foudy, Flan Barry, Eoin McMahon, Marie Kenneally, Jack O’Connor, Tara Rynne; Margaret Lafferty (First Aid)

Truagh Clonlara Panel: Laura Foley, Ellen Horgan (Joint-Captains); Eimear Begley, Roisin Begley, Aisling Cahill, Sophie Cullen, Aoife Dillon, Maeve Donnellan, Joanne Egan, Louise Egan, Becky Foley, Eileen Gleeson, Leah Hawes, Aine Hannon, Aisling Hannon, Sinead Hogg, Hannah Horgan, Eimear Kelly, Eva Larkin, Clara Madden, Aoibhin Marren, Amy McMahon, Liza Moloney, Taylor Morris, Aine O’Loughlin, Michelle Powell, Niamh Powell, Roisin Powell, Niamh Ryan, Sinead Ryan, Lauren Slater

Management: Bob Caulfield (Manager); Owen Fitzgerald, Eoin Powell (Coaches); Ger Begley, PJ Gully, Kieran Foley, Ryan Morris, Michelle Caulfield (Selectors); Josh Egan (S&C); Jo Clancy (Stats)