Dicksboro and Piltown set to renew rivalry in senior camogie final
The game takes place in UPMC Nowlan Park at 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon
The meeting of Dicksboro and Piltown in the Michael Lyng Motors Senior Camogie Championship Final is not a new phenomenon as the two clubs face off in the decider for a third year on the trot.
The scorecard reads one win apiece as it stands with Piltown claiming their first title against Saturday’s opposition back in 2024 before the Boro got revenge 12 months ago and other exciting encounter is anticipated when the teams take to the field in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday afternoon (3.30pm).
Piltown will go into the game as league champions after having eight points to spare over Thomastown last month but on the back of winning Leinster and All-Ireland titles in recent years, the ’Boro will go into the game as slight favourites.
The two clubs came through tough semi-final meetings in Callan a fortnight ago with Dicksboro’s victory over league finalists Thomastown ensuring they qualified for the senior final for the fifth year in succession and the 2023 All-Ireland winners will be looking to add to their glittering haul of domestic silverware and win a fifth senior Kilkenny crown.
The ’Boro emerged 0-13 to 0-8 winners over Thomastown the last day out and while Thomastown opened the scoring with a pointed free from Eva Hynes on two minutes, Dicksboro were quick to hit back. Centre forward Jenny Clifford landed the next three points from play before two Aoife Prendergast frees pushed the city side 0-5 to 0-1 ahead with 16 minutes on the clock.
However, Thomastown didn’t panic. They took control of the scoring, snapping up the next four points through Sarah Barcoe (2), Sophie McCabe and captain Sinead O’Keeffe to level matters by the 21st minute.
Thomastown’s equalising point seemed to kick Dicksboro back into action again. Aoife Prendergast slotted over a free on 23 minutes, then Jenny Clifford tacked on her fourth point of the afternoon before Prendergast added another pointed free to leave the half-time score reading 0-8 to 0-5 in favour of the ’Boro.
On the resumption of play, Eva Hynes slotted over two points from placed balls to narrow the gap to the minimum, but this was as good as it got for Thomastown as Dicksboro took control of the match again with Aoife Prendergast Rachel Dowling and Amy Clifford starring up front as they booked their place in the final. Piltown’s route to Saturday’s final was equally hard-fought after they had four points to spare in their semi-final meeting with Tullaroan.
The final scoreline of 0-12 to 0-8 came about on the back of a fine second half display by the 2024 champions as the likes of Kellyann Doyle, Ruby Norris and team captain Katie Power excelled to see the South Kilkenny side over the line.
Tullaroan were worthy opponents throughout the last four tie with the Walsh cousins and former Kilkenny stars Grace and Miriam to the fore for the Sash and if Miriam hadn’t hobbled off with injury in the second half, the result may have gone in a different direction.
Piltown still dictated matters for most of the contest as they upheld a 0-5 to 0-3 interval lead before kicking on in the latter stages and they are sure to be stubborn opponents for the defending champions.
The Intermediate final also takes place on Saturday with Emeralds taking on Mooncoin at 1.15pm. Mooncoin will be hoping it’s fourth time lucky as they aim to avenge for defeat against Danesfort this time last year.