Disappointment as Duffy dream dies

All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final

Wexford 3-12

Kilkenny 1-11

By Michael O’Leary

Devastation is the only word to describe Kilkenny’s exit from the All-Ireland senior camogie championship as Anne Downey’s troops saw their hopes of lifting the O’Duffy Cup for the first time since 1994 whither away in the space of 90 seconds.

Not more than a puck of the sliothar separated the sides as Wexford led 0-11 to 0-9 at the end of the 46^th minute.

However, goals from the lively duo of Katriona Parrock and Kate Kelly killed off Kilkenny hopes before Kate Kelly added a third goal late on.

However, Denise Gaule grabbed a consolation goal in injury-time, as Kilkenny fought to the bitter end but in truth they were chasing a lost cause long before then.

An evenly contested first-half saw Wexford lead 0-9 to 0-8 at the interval as the lead changed hands on 4 occassions.

Kilkenny began playing with a light breeze advantage and built up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 9^th minute with Michelle Quilty(2 45s), Anne Dalton(60 yard free) and Collette Dormer all on target.

Wexford responded and they outscored Kilkenny 0-5 to 0-1 over the next minutes mainly to the place ball striking of Ursula Jacob.

A flurry of scores came in the closing minutes of the first-half.

Firstly, Kilkenny added three consecutive points in the space of 70 seconds with Anna Farrell twice pointing from long range and Katie Power also on target.

However, the yellowbellies finished the half strongly as Jacob pointed three late frees to swing the initative back in the hands of the Slaneysiders as they led 0-9 to 0-8 at the interval.

Kilkenny enjoyed the greater possession during the third quarter, but they couldn’t translate that onto the scoreboard as they shot five wides during that period. All of them were scoreable chances.

They were still very much in contention trailing by just points inside the start of the final quarter, but their hopes were dashed emphatically and suddenly.

Kate Kelly and Katriona Parrock caused plenty of problems in the Kilkenny all afternoon and significantly they contributed 3-4 between them.

Kelly set the WIT freshers player of the tournament and her rifled was well saved by Catriona Ryan , but the pace of the sliothar had too much power and the sliothar trickled over the goalline.

The duo combined 90 seconds later, when Parrock turned provider on this occasion and Kelly sent an unstoppable shot past Ryan. 2-11 to 0-9. Game over.

Kilkenny battled away bravely, but it proved too much of a mountain to climb.

Kate Kelly’s second goal in the first minute of injury-time when sent a low speculative drive beyond Catriona Ryan added to Kilkenny misery’s before sub Denise Gaule pounced on Mags Darcy’s parry to put a better reflection on the scoreboard.

Despite the disappointment, the Kilkenny senior camogie team have made steady progress in 2010.

The forwards struggled badly as a unit, but significantly with the exception of Aoife Neary they’re all under-21 years of age, and the best is surely yet to come.

Catriona Ryan despite the disappointment of conceding three goals, saved Kilkenny on numerous occasions again.

Catherine Doherty was solid as usual at full-back subduing the threat of Ursula Jacob keeping her scoreless from play, while Leanne Fennelly despite doing very little training been injury affected in the run up to the semi-final, Lizzie Lyng who was superb and Anne Dalton also stood out, while 16-year-old Kelly Hamilton was lively when introduced.

Scorers: Wexford: Kate Kelly 2-3, Ursula Jacob 0-7(0-6 frees 0-1’45), Katriona Parrock 1-1, Josie Dwyer 0-1

Kilkenny: Michelle Quilty 0-4(0-2 frees 0-2 ‘45s), Denise Gaule 1-0, Anne Dalton (0-1 free), Katie Power + Anna Farrell 0-2 each, Collette Dormer 0-1

Player of the match: Lizzie Lyng(Kilkenny)

Lizzie Lyng was excellent from start to finish. The Rower-Inistioge defender did her utmost to inspire around her, and she was a towering presence throughout. One of Kilkenny’s player of the championship.

Teams:

Kilkenny: Catriona Ryan(Tullogher), Lizzie Lyng(Rower-Inistioge), Catherine Doherty(St. Annes), Jacqui Frisby(Ballyhale Shamrocks), Edwina Keane(St. Martins), Leanne Fennelly(Mullinavat), Elaine Aylward(Mullinavat), Anne Dalton(St. Lachtains) (captain), Anna Farrell(Thomastown), Marie Dargan(St. Martins), Aoife Neary(James Stephens), Michelle Quilty(Mullinavat), Collette Dormer(Paulstown), Katie Power(Piltown), Shelley Farrell(Thomastown)

Subs: Kelly Hamilton (Rower-Inistioge) for Dargan 36 minutes, Amy Butler (Mullinavat) for Fennelly 45 minutes, Denise Gaule(Windgap) for Dormer 51 minutes, Aisling Dunphy(St. Brigids) for Farrell,

Wexford: Mags Darcy, Claire O’Connor, Catherine O’Loughlin, Karen Atkinson, Nooleen Lambert, Mary Leacy, Aoife O’Connor, Josie Dwyer, Deirdre Codd, Kate Kelly, Una Leacy, Michelle O’Leary, Katriona Parrock, Ursula Jacob, Fiona Kavanagh,

Sub: Brid Gordon for O’Leary 48 minutes,

Referee: Fintan McNamara(Clare)

Annual Camogie Awards Night by PRO Michael O Leary

The Kilkenny camogie awards were held in Langton house hotel last Friday night and almost 250 people were in attendance. It was an enjoyable night had by all, with the medals being presented for the 4-in-a-row minor All-Ireland winning team plus their Leinster winning medals, along with provincial winning medals presented to under-14, under-16, and the All-Ireland senior finalists who successfully defeated Wexford in the final played down in Bunclody in December. It was an evening of entertainment capped with another glorious year for camogie in Kilkenny with All-Ireland senior hurling winning captain Michael Fennelly special guest for the evening.

Fennelly had spoken of the progress of camogie in Kilkenny over the last few years and wished the senior team well in their quest to land the O'Duffy Cup for the first time since 1994.Other guests on the evening included Kilkenny Co. board chairman Paul Kinsella, Co. Secretary Ned Quinn, Deputy mayor Marie Fitzpatrick and County council chairman Michael O'Brien.

MC for the evening was the imitable Martin Quilty - Camogie vice-chairperson - who did an excellent job as always in entertaining the crowd as the medal and award winners were announced.

The player of the year awards in the respective grades were also announced with Kilkenny senior goalkeeper Catriona Ryan(Tullogher-Rosbercon) rewarded for her excellent consistency in landing the senior player of the year. Eilish Cantwell was named as Intermediate player of the year, while Denise Gaule crowned a memorable 2009 when she landed the Kilkenny minor camogie player of the year. It was the latest award added to her glittering collection, as she was also named O'Neill young camogie player of the year at the camogie allstars last November. Gaule was also highly instrumental in winning the player of the match award as she scored 2-4 in helping Kilkenny successfully complete 4-in-a-row in the All-Ireland minor final, while last March she was captain fantastic scoring 1-8 in inspiring St. Brigids(Callan) to defend the All-Ireland colleges title with victory over Portumna. The under-16 player of the year went to Jane Cullen(Rower-Inistioge), while Julie-Anne Malone(Mullinavat) received the under-14 player of the year.

The club person of the year award was presented to Sean Warren(St. Annes) as the Galmoy/Johnstown outfit completed victory over Rower-Inistioge in the Intermediate final replay following two titantic battles. The  St.Annes girls were presented with their medals in Cillin Hill on January 22^nd. With the formal proceedings done and dusted,  Bag of Cans provided the musical entertainment with the Windgap contingent unable to remove themselves from the dance floor that contributed to the enjoyment of the night/early morning.

Also, Kilkenny camogie chairperson Catherine Neary was elected as provincial camogie chairperson as well and we wish her well in a busy year ahead.

Deputy Mayor Marie Fitzpatrick, Julie All Malone (U14 Player of the year), Catherine Neary Chairperson Camogie, Denise Gaule (Minor Player of the year), Michael Fennelly (Special Guest), Jane Cullen (U16 Player of the year), Michael O Brien County Co. Chairman.

Ger Gannon St Canices Credit Uniion present Sean Warren Club Person of year with his award.

Pearl McDonald (County Sec), John McDonald (The Field), Catherine Neary (Chairperson), Ger Gannon (St Canices Credit Union), Paul Brophy (Iverk Produce), Mary Howley (Treasureu Co. Baord)

 
The Windgap & Rower gang enjoying evening.

Kilkenny Senior Panel & Management for Gala All Ireland Final

Back Row L to R
Laura Kavanagh, Aine Fahy, Eileen Fitzpatrick, Emma Staunton, Julie Ann Woodcock, Ann Marie Phelan, Elaine Aylward, Denise Gaule, Catriona Ryan, Marie O'Connor, Aoife Fitzpatrick, Edwina Keane, Aisling Ryan

Middle Row L to R
Paul Murphy, John Lonergan, Siobhan Murphy, Leanne Fennelly, Claire Aylward, Amy Butler, Aoife Neary, Edel Maher, Colette Dormer, Deirdre Delaney, Aisling Dunphy, Ann Dalton (Captain), Therese Muldowney, James Meagher, Ann Downey (Manager),Noel Ryan

Front Row L to R
Marina Downey, Keeva Fennelly, Lizzie Lyng, Eimear Lyng, Katie Power, Jacqui Frisby, Michelle Quilty, Catherine Doherty, Kelly Ann Cotterall, Kate McDonald