Emeralds snatch all county league glory

By Michael O'Leary

A dramatic finish to last Sunday's All-County Junior league Division two final saw Emeralds of Urlingford snatch victory in the most dramatic of circumstances against Danesfort. Played in beautiful Autumnal sunshine in Bennetsbridge last Sunday afternoon, Danesfort who rallied well from a 5-point deficit in the first-half led 0-10 to 2-2 as the match had entered injury-time.

However, Emeralds conjured up one last gasp attack and it proved decisive. A long delivery goal wards by centre-back and All-Ireland underage winner Davina Tobin saw team captain Siobhan Fahey surge forward towards goal. Fahey was surrounded by four Danesfort defenders, but she somehow managed to wriggle free of the close proximately of her markers before unleashing a rasping unstoppable shot for a wonder goal.

Goals from a Katie Joyce free and Siobhan Fahey gave Emeralds a 2-0 to 0-1 lead before Danesfort narrowed the gap to three points at the interval. 2-1 to 0-4. Danesfort added three points during the third quarter to draw level. 2-1 to 0-7.

They were dominating possession, and they appeared to have victory within their grasp until Emeralds dramatic last gasp strike to secure a memorable victory. Emeralds Team: Siobhan O'Hara, Shona Ahern, Clodagh Cleere, Sarah Kavanagh, Klara Martin, Davina Tobin, Marian Clohessy, Sinead Curran, Niamh Leahy, Siobhan Fahey, Sinead Costelloe, Eilis Brennan, Jessie Ryan, Katie Joyce, Briona Norton, Celina Power, Shona Power, Orla Gleeson, Brid Leahy, Mary Burke, Roisin Leahy,

O'Loughlins march on in under-21 championship

O'Loughlin Gaels march forward in the St. Canices Credit Union Under-21 Roinn B championship, as they easily defeated Mooncoin 4-12 to 2-4 last Saturday evening in Johns Park. The O'Loughlins girls were always in control and they led 2-4 to 0-0 at half-time courtesy of goals from Karen Cleere and Katie Walsh.

They pushed forward further after the restart, and despite Mooncoin grabbing a brace of goals,. O'Loughlins cruised through to a 14-point victory. Aisling Butler was the star on show at centre-forward scoring 2-5, while Amy Byran star of their recent Junior B final victory and Aoife Nolan scored 0-3 each.

12 of the starting 15 for O'Loughlins last Saturday started their recent Junior B final victory, and they will fancy their chances of progressing in the Under-21 championship. As mentioned that was the only game played in the Under-21 Championship last weekend, as in the A championship Thomastown were given a walkover by Clara, while Piltown's clash with Rower-Inistioge has been switched back to Friday week 28th October.

In the B championship, St. Lachtains of Freshford were given a walkover by Carrickshock who are competing in the new structured 7s league. Carrickshock will compete with Clara and Tullaroan and Glenmore in the 7s league which commenced last Sunday.

Tullaroan destroyed Glenmore in the opening round of fixtures 7-9 to 0-11. The quarter-finals of matches in the Under-21 Roinn A and B championships are scheduled for the October Bank Holiday weekend, 29th/30th/31st October, while the semi-finals are scheduled for weekending 6th November.

The finals of the Under-21 championships are due to be played Sunday 20th November. Elsewhere the Minor Roinn A county between Dicksboro and Windgap scheduled to be played this weekend has been re-fixed due to Dicksboro's involvement in Sunday's Leinster Intermediate final. O'Loughlin Gaels are also in County final action this weekend as they play Young Irelands of Gowran in the Division One All-county league final.

Awards night for Kilmacow Camogie Club

Kilmacow Camogie Club has only been in existence since 2007, and they've been making great strides at under-age level. It's hoped that they will be represented by an adult team in the not too distant future. This year was a successful year for the South Kilkenny club who competed in underage county finals.

The under-12s reached the semi-final before they were beaten by a strong Glenmore outfit. Their under-14s racked up big scores on their way to reaching the Roinn C, before they lost out to a very strong and skilled O'Loughlin Gaels outfit.

The Under-16s reached the Roinn D shield final, while the minors reached the Roinn D final. A lot of work is been at under-age level by David and Geraldine Williams, Mike Dolan and Marcella Sweeney amongst others. Saturday night is an evening of celebration for their achievements this years, and the awards ceremony will take place in the parish community centre commencing at 8.30pm.

All-Ireland 7s glory for Kilkenny schools

There was glory for Kilkenny at the recent All-Irelands 7s played in Naomh Perigine Blanchardstown as Presentation Kilkenny and Castlecomer Community School achieved All-Ireland success. Presentation of Kilkenny won the Roinn A title and they secured a final place with victories over Portumna and Maghera.

They defeated Portumna 2-5 to 3-0 having led 2-3 to 0-1 at the interval. Michaela Kenneally scored a brace of goals. It was more straightforward against St. Patricks Maghera winning 4-6 to 0-2. The goal scorers were Mary O'Connell(2), Michaela Kenneally and team captain Ciara Farrell.

Those victories set up a final showdown with St. Flannans. Presentation led 3-4 to 1-1 at the interval courtesy of goals from Mary O'Connell, Claire Nolan and Ciara Farrell. St. Flannans replied with a brace of goals before Mary O'Connelle steadied the ship with three excellent points.

St. Flanns grabbed another goal, before a late goal from Aisling Nolan sealed victory. 4-9 to 4-3. Castlecomer Community School easily won the schools Roinn C title having conceded only 1-2 in 4 matches. They easily won their three group games defeating St. Marys Mallow 3-1 to 0-0, Carrigtwohill 5-4 to 1-1 before defeating Newry 2-2 to 0-0.

They dished out a comprehensive hammering in the final destroying Carrigtwohill 10-2 to 0-1. The deadly duo of Edel Coonan and Cliodhna Quirke were in scintillating goal scoring form grabbing the 10 goals between. Also there was Kilkenny success for students at Borris Vocational School as they won the 7s Roinn B title.

They began the tournament with a 2-4 to 2-0 defeat by Mayfield, before responding with victories over Ballymena (2-4 to 0-1), Ballinasloe (6-2 to 1-0), and Borrisoeligh (4-7 to 1-4) to reach the final. Victory was accomplished with a 7-1 to 3-5 win over Ballymena who they defeated in the group stages.