By:
Conor Martin
The All-Ireland senior camogie club championship final replay between Athenry and St Finbarr’s will take place on Saturday, 3rd January at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles.
The All-Ireland senior camogie club championship final between Athenry and St Finbarr’s ended in a gripping draw earlier this month, reflecting the quality and determination of both sides looking to clinch club camogie’s biggest prize.
Athenry’s pace and attacking intent were matched by the resilience and experience of St Finbarr’s, who battled back at key moments to stay in contention.
The game was played at a high tempo, with strong defending, tactical discipline, and moments of individual brilliance shaping the contest.
Kayla Madden was Athenry’s hero in the club camogie final
Neither team was able to land a decisive blow in normal time, ensuring a replay was required to separate the two evenly matched sides.
Athenry earned themselves another chance at glory when they came from six points down with five minutes to go to stage a dramatic comeback, sparked by Anna Jordan’s goal, before Kayla Madden struck a late equaliser deep into added time to force a thrilling finish.
The sides will meet again in Thurles in the new year, with a 5.15pm throw-in pencilled in.
This time, there will be no second chances; if the match ends in a draw, extra time or even a penalty shootout will be used to decide the All-Ireland winners on the day.
Why is the All-Ireland senior club camogie final replay not being played at Croke Park?
Despite its iconic status, Croke Park is not the most practical venue for the All-Ireland senior camogie club final replay. Club finals, even at All-Ireland level, do not attract crowds on the scale of inter-county occasions, and playing at such a massive stadium can dilute both atmosphere and occasion. A more compact venue creates a stronger sense of intensity and engagement, which is vital for a high-stakes club decider.
Cost is another major factor. Opening Croke Park involves significant operational expenses, including staffing, security, stewarding, and maintenance. For a January replay, those costs are difficult to justify, particularly when alternative venues can provide excellent facilities at a fraction of the expense.
Timing also plays a role. Early January is a crucial period for pitch management, with Croke Park often undergoing maintenance ahead of the inter-county season and National League fixtures. Winter weather increases the risk of damage, making preservation of the surface a priority.
Tradition further supports the decision. Club finals and replays have regularly been staged at neutral provincial grounds. FBD Semple Stadium is a natural choice, centrally located, making it easily accessible for supporters from Galway and Cork, and steeped in hurling and camogie heritage. It offers the right balance of atmosphere, practicality, and prestige for a final replay of this magnitude.
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