O'Moore's go down fighting to Na Fianna in Leinster Intermediate Camogie final

O'Moore's were beaten by Na Fianna of Meath in today's Leinster final in what was a titanic battle between the two sides. The Meath champions had a superb first-half performance and led by seven points at the break which put them in the driving seat.

Dermot McGill will be extremely proud of his team's effort especially after going down to 14 players midway through the second-half but ultimately lost out by two points in the end.

Na Fianna 1-11

O'Moore's 1-9

It was McGill's side who struck the first blow as Laura Marie Maher pointed a free from about 75 yards out. Maire Kirby replied for the Meath side with a splendid score from play. Maher (free) knocked over second score of the contest while Lucy Conroy split the posts to give O'Moore's an early advantage.

That would be O'Moore's last score for quite some time as Na Fianna rattled in 1-5 without reply. Kerrie Cole pointed after a free from Aoife Carey was broke down and Cole was first to react to raise a white flag. Kirby added to her earlier point while Carey opened her account with two points, one from a free. Emma Regan also raised a white flag as Kirby missed a goal chance having dispossessed the O'Moore's goalkeeper but she couldn't find the finish.

The goal then came for Na Fianna as Kirby caught a superb ball in from Aedin Slattery before blasting the ball into the O'Moore's net. Maher knocked over a third free for her side before Carey pointed two frees for Na Fianna as the Meath team led 1-8 to 0-4 at the break.

The opening score of the second period was a crucial one for O'Moore's as Amy McKane rattled the back of the net to put her side right back into the contest. The Na Fianna lead would soon be cut to three points as Mary Keating slotted over a free. Brodie Kelly scored a superb point before O'Moore's were dealt a major blow as Aoife Hyland was sent off for two bookable offences. Carey added another free to her and Na Fianna's tally as the Meath side led by five points.

McKane and Keating got a point apiece for O'Moore's while a free from Carey pusher her side ahead by four meaning O'Moore's would need two crucial scores to have any hope of getting something from the game. Keating pointed two more frees near the end but O'Moore's couldn't create a goal chance to snatch the victory.

The loss rounds off a superb year for O'Moore's as they won a league and championship double defeating Camross in both finals. Na Fianna will now take on the Ulster champions in the All-Ireland Championship.