Kilkenny camogie

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Mullinavat lay down serious marker

St.Canices Kilkenny Credit Union senior camogie league round one

Mullinavat 3-18

St. Lachtains 3-7

By Michael O’Leary

Mullinavat camogie girls produced a sterling performance of skill and point-taking of first class quality as they comprehensively destroyed a St. Lachtains outfit minus a number of regulars.

It was the Freshford girl’s first defeat at local level since the 2002 county final defeat to St. Brigids, and despite the long standing queens of Kilkenny camogie being somewhat understrength, the Mullinavat girls were a far superior outfit and displayed a greater hunger for battle.

They could afford the added luxury of shooting 12 wides over the hour, something that would’ve been unthinkable against St. Lachtains over the last decade.

However, it’s possible a changing of the times might be occurring and perhaps a changing of the guard might be around the corner.

The south Kilkenny girls were in razor sharp mode right from the outset and they made a whirlwind with a first minute goal from Valerie Law.

They added further points from the dashing Michelle Quilty(2) and Law as they led 1-3 to 0-0 after just 3 minutes.

However, Lachtains responded and led by Inter-county senior members Vodafone player of the year Anne Dalton and Deirdre Delaney they drew 1-3 each after 11 minutes with a well taken goal from Delaney.

Mullinavat though responded and outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-3 for the remainder of the half with Claire Aylward 0-3(frees), and also excellent points from Ciara Holden, JulieAnne Malone, Michelle Quilty and Leanne Fennelly as they led 1-10 to 1-6 at the interval and a breeze advanatage to come afterwards.

The ‘Vat’ ladies dominated the majority of the second-half and continued in the same vein at the restart with further points from Quilty(2), Holden, Fennelly and Malone as the attack displayed great fluency shooting 3-14 over the hour.

Deirdre Delaney responded with her second goal in the 42^nd minute but a goalkeeping error from Mairead Costelloe – she replaced Anna Buggy in goal – allowed Ciara Holden to pounce as she slotted home the simplest of finishes. 2-15 to 2-7.

Anne Dalton added a terrific goal in the 52^nd minute as Leanne Fennelly added a 3^rd Mullinavat goal following a great ball played across the endline from Michelle Quilty.

It was a superb performance from Mullinavat who have layed down a marker for the year.

There work rate was first class with their defence sextet led by inter-county all-star Elaine Aylward at centre-back performing tenaciously, while Amy Butler and the diligent working youngster Aine Kinsella lorded proceedings in midfield.

Scorers – Mullinavat: Ciara Holden 1-5 Michelle Quilty 0-5(0-1 free), Leanne Fennelly 1-2 Valerie Law 1-1 JulieAnne Malone 0-2 Claire Aylward 0-3(all fres),

St. Lachtains: Anne Dalton 1-6(0-2 frees 0-1 ’45), Deirdre Delaney 2-1

Teams:

Mullinavat – Brid Aylward, Joanne Quinn, Sinead Aylward, Sinead Phelan, Paula Butler, Elaine Aylward, Alison Duggan, Amy Butler, Aine Kinsella, Claire Aylward, Leanne Fennelly, JulieAnne Malone, Michelle Quilty, Valerie Law, Ciara Holden,

Sub: Marie Murphy for Malone injured

St. Lachtains(Freshford): Anna Buggy, Aine Phelan, Gillian-Dillon-Maher, Katie Doheny, Kate Maher, Mairead Costelloe, Eileen Fitzpatrick, Aoife Fitzpatrick, Anne Dalton, Deirdre Delaney, Imelda Kennedy, Lydia Fitzpatrick, Maureen Walsh, Yvonne McGrath, Clare Dermody,

Referee: Pascal Connolly(Ballyhale Shamrocks)

Farrell sisters inspires Thomastown to maiden under-21 glory

St. Canices under-21 roinn A Camogie final

Thomastown 3-8
St. Martins 2-6

By Michael O’Leary

In a tough uncompromising encounter played in underfoot conditions last Good Friday morning, Thomastown deservedly landed their first under-21 county title as they defeated a gallant St. Martins in John Locke Park.

Both sets of players deserve immense credit for giving their maximum in conditions not ideal that followed the heavy rain, and the Farrell sisters Shelley and Anna led the way scoring 2-7 of their total.

It was a commendable display from the Thomastown girls as their defence was watertight inspired by the sublime Kate McDonald, while Catherine Walsh at centre-forward epitomised the team work-ethic.

Not the most accurate of players, Walsh worked trojanly at centre-forward constantly interrupting the rhythm of the St. Martins defence, while she also played a part in a number of her teams scores.

A Marie Dargan pointed free in the second minute opened the scoring, before Thomastown took control as they led by 2-4 to 0-1 after 16 minutes.

The Farrell sisters – particularly Anna – were doing significant damage and an 8^th minute goal from the 2008 minor All-Ireland winning captain following a terrific individual solo run set the trend. 1-2 to 0-1.

Anna pointed four times(2 45s) during that flying opening quarter, and Shelley ensured clear daylight between the two sides when she finished off a well worked movement involving Amy Maher and Aine Lannon. 2-4 to 0-1.

St. Martins narrowed the gap to double scores at the interval, as a Dargan point from play was followed by goalmouth scramble that appeared to result in Aideen Dwyer getting the final touch after Dargan’s inital goal attempt from a free was blocked.

Thomastown responded emphatically in the early stages of the restart.

Shelly Farrell pointed superbly within 12 seconds of the restart, before shortly afterwards her pointed attempt was flicked by St. Martins goalkeeper Maeve Mansfield into the path of Amy Maher who stroked the ball home. 3-5 to 1-2.

A number of stop-start passages of play during the second-half disrupted the pattern, but Thomastown remained control and further points from the Farrell sisters and a deserved point from Catherine Walsh stretched the lead further entering the closing stages. 3-8 to 1-3.

However, St. Martins deserve credit for plugging away and a well taken handpass solo goal from bustling full-forward Michelle O’Keeffe narrowed the gap before three late points from Marie Dargan(2 frees) made the scoreline look respectable.

Inter-county senior Edwina Keane was switched to centre-back after 15 minutes and gave a materclass display while also impressing for the losers were the tight-marking Annette Morrissey, Michelle O’Keeffe and Marie Dargan who ploughed a lone furrow in attack.

Player of the match: Catherine Walsh(Thomastown)

Anna Farrell, Kate McDonald and Edwina Keane were all superb but Walsh was a real workhorse at centre-forward as she displayed grit and determination and linked play excellently in attack.

Scorers – Thomastown – Anna Farrell 1-5(0-1 free 0-2 ‘45s), Shelley Farrell 1-2, Amy Maher 1-0 Catherine Walsh 1-0

St. Martins – Marie Dargan 0-6(0-3 frees), Aideen Dwyer + Michelle O’Keeffe 1-0 each

Teams: Thomastown – Grace Clarke, Chloe Corrway(captain), Aine Manning, Sarah Walsh, Sinead Stapleton, Lisa Carey, Kate McDonald, Anna Farrell, Sally Teehan, Niamh Whelan, Catherine Walsh, Amy Maher, Nicole Corrway, Aine Lannon, Shelley Farrell,

Subs: Megan Farrell, Katie O’Hara

St. Martins – Maeve Mansfield, Annette Morrissey, Anne-Marie Walsh, Aisling Brennan, Joanne Kelly, Orla Walsh, Sarah Shore, Edwina Keane, Fiona Morrissey, Hannah Maher, Aine Walsh, Stacey Quirke, Marie Dargan, Michelle O’Keeffe, Aideen Dwyer,

Subs: Noreen O’Keeffe, Laura O’Keeffe, Mairead Daly, Tamara Agar,

Referee: Martin Quilty (Slieverue)

St Canice's Credit Union U21A Semi-Final

Thomastown 3-6
Windgap 2-8

An absorbing under-21 roinn A camogie semi-final saw Thomastown and Windgap serve up a titantic thriller in Ballyhale last Sunday morning. Both teams deserve immense credit for not yielding an inch in pursuit of victory, as Thomastown just held on by the slenderest of margins following a nailbiting finish. Windgap appeared to be in a strong position at the interval, as a goal-scoring brace from Denise Gaule left the 'gap' 2-3 to 1-4 ahead at half-time. Further points early in the second-half from Gaule and Suzie Phelan in the 37^th and 40^th minutes respectively extended the advantage further.

However, Thomastown fought relentlessly for every scrap of possession, and inspired by the swashbuckling Sarah Walsh and the dashing Kate McDonald who produced a five-star display at wing-back during the second-half, the initative swung forth in the victors direction. Thomastown made a perfect start when Niamh Whelan goaled in the 4^th minute before Anna Farrell pointed free moments later. 1-1 to 0-0. Denise Gaule opened Windgap's account with a point free in the 8^th minute before Windgap gained a large slice of fortune in the 13^th minute.. The 'young player of the year' stood up to a free 60 metres from goal. Her well struck effort appeared to be heading straight between the uprights, but the sliothar managed to wriggle it's way beyond the unfortunate Grace Clarke. 1-1 each.

Catherine Walsh and Anne-Marie Phelan exchanged points, before Windgap were awarded a 20metre free in the 19^th minute. Denise Gaule stepped and one anticipated a routine point, but to everyone's surprise she struck a rocket blast effort high to the net. 2-2 to 1-2. Gaule pointed another free as Windgap were motoring well, but points from Anna Farrell and the diligent working Catherine Walsh narrowed the gap as half-time beckoned. The switching of Shelley Farrell to full-forward during the second-half had the desired effect as she lurked danger any time she the sliothar was within her grasp. Her 42^nd minute goal when she raced through before firing an unstoppable shot past Laura Walker seized the momentum. 2-5 to 2-4.

Denise Gaule pointed a 47^th minute as Windgap continued to hold the upper hand, but the Thomastown siege was gathering pace.. Anna Farrell pointed in the 55^th minute to narrow the deficit, after they were agonisingly denied goal chances in quick succession from Shelly and Aine Lannon. However, 'Michelle La Belle' made no mistake in the 57^th minute finishing a terrific movement. A long range free from Sarah Walsh saw McDonald make a surging run forward, before the sliothar wriggled it's way into the path of Farrell. Sidestepping two defenders she cut loose through the Windgap defence before rifling a rasping shot that gave Walker no chance.

Windgap now two points behind had to respond, and to their eternal credit they pulled off the perfect reply. Substitute Niamh Bambrick agonisingly saw her shot blaze inches over the crossbar with the goal at her mercy, and after Shelley Farrell pointed superbly approaching injury-time, Windgap were heartbreakingly denied at the death. Grace Clarke produced a sublime acrobatic golf-swing save from the stick of Bambrick, before producing an even greater miraculous save when she somehow blocked the rebound effort of Suzie Phelan right on the goal-line. How close that was. Denise Gaule's free in the 4^th minute of injury-time wasn't enough as there wasn't to be anymore time for them to manufacture an equaliser much to their disappointment?

Still, they can be proud of their performance having produced one hell of an effort, and if they'd taken some of their goal chances, a different outcome would've occured Netminder Laura Walker didn't put a foot wrong, Claire Grace, Julie Walsh and the highly skilled Alison Walsh performed heroics in defence, with the trojan working Suzie Dunphy grafting resiliently in midfield. Denise Gaule displayed her class in attack scoring 2-5(2-4 frees), despite taking watching by the Thomastown defence, while inter-county senior panellist Anne-Marie Phelan caused havoc with her aerial power at full-forward.

What a way to spend Sunday morning

Player of the match: Sarah Walsh(Thomastown)

It was a difficult choice with Shelley's Farrell's goalscoring touch, the class of Kate McDonald, and the goalkeeping heroics Grace Clarke all worthy recipients. However, Sarah Walsh just about deserves accolade for her barnstorming display at corner-back throughout the hour.

Teams: Thomastown - Grace Clarke, Chloe Corrway, Aine Manning, Sarah Walsh, Katie O'Hara, Lisa Carey, Kate McDonald, Sally Teehan, Anna Farrell(0-3 0-1 free), Megan Farrell, Catherine Walsh, Shelley Farrell(2-1), Niamh Whelan(1-0), Aine Lannon, Nicole Corrway

Sub: Sinead Stapleton

Windgap - Laura Walker, Claire Grace, Alison Walsh, Julie Walsh, Ciara Molloy, Elaine O'Shea, Nicola Moore, Lisa Phelan, Suzie Dunphy, Niamh Phelan, Ailish Langton, Denise Gaule(2-5 2-4 frees), Suzie Phelan(0-1), AnneMarie Phelan(0-1), Laura Moore,

Sub: Niamh Bamrick(0-1)

Referee: Martin Quilty(Slieverue)

PS: Congratulations to the Windgap GAA Club for their successful fund raiser in aid of the Haiti earthquake disaster in Killamery house on Saturday night. A great night was had and approximately €3,000 was raised. Well done to everyone concerned

County Final Win for the Emerald Girls

This u14 Roinn D County Final was held on Sunday in Palmerstown and just as the ball was thrown in the heavens opened and heavy rain poured down for the first 20 minutes of County Final between the northern neighbours Emeralds and St Anne's.

Rachel Dermody was the first to open the scoring when she scored a goal for St Anne's with only three minutes gone in the game. St Anne's started strongly with Siobhan Corcoran driving the ball from midfield. At this stage Emeralds were unsettled but Megan Coady put her team at ease when she scored a point in the eight minute. It was a real battle in the rain for the next twenty minutes or so with St Anne's goalkeeper Maria Cullinane pulling off some great saves and along with Alison Muldowney and Niamh Sweeney, they continued to defend strongly against the Emerald forwards. On the Emeralds side Niamh Leahy and Aisling Webster were outstanding and they worked continuously all over the field. With eight minutes to go in the first half St Anne's threatened when Sarah Whelan broke through to take a shot at goal but Grainne O Dwyer blocked and cleared the ball to the wing. Emerald's Captain Shona Ahern quickly followed up and drove the ball away from danger down to half forward Ciara Phelan who played the ball into full forward Megan Coady who turned the full back and with a clean strike she shook the back of the St. Annes net to put the Emeralds in the lead for the first time. Niamh Leahy followed it up with a point from play and St Annes, with two minutes to go answered when Siobhan Corcoran pointed from a free leaving the score at half time, Emeralds 1-2 to At Anne's 1-1.

In the second half the Emerald girls came out a stronger team and they dominated from the whistle with the hard working Briona Norton scoring her sides second goal which put Emeralds into a four point lead. Centre forward Jessie Ryan added a further point in the 7^th minute. The skill of Jessie Ryan and Brid Moore really shone on the day and they were ably assisted by half forwards Ciara Phelan and Mollie Kavanagh who were a constant threat to the St Anne backs. Half way through the second half Megan Coady found the net again and Niamh Leahy followed up with a point. Emeralds now had a nine point lead but credit to St. Annes who never gave up and Sarah Whelan continued to try and get the ball forward but the Emerald backs of Sarah Morairity-O'Connor and Shona Ahern cleared everything that came their way. Roisin Leahy had an exceptional game at half back while Aishlinn Webster's performance was unmatched. Leah Carroll and Treise Gleeson also worked hard down the right hand side. St Anne's pointed in the sixteenth minute through Siobhan Corcoran. Unfortunately for St Anne's the Emeralds retaliated with a goal by Niamh Ahern and two further points by Jessie Ryan and the final score was Emeralds 4-6 to St Anne's 1-2.

Emeralds:- Grainne O Dwyer, Sarah Moriarity-O'Connor, Shona Ahern, Treise Gleeson, Leah Carroll, Aishlinn Webster, Roisin Leahy, Niamh Leahy, Brid Moore, Ciara Phelan, Jessie Ryan, Mollie Kavanagh, Niamh Ahern, Megan Coady, Briona Norton.

Subs Used: Aine Leahy, Eliza Walsh, Rebecca Pembroke. Subs: Aine Leahy, Rebecca Pembroke, Eliza Walsh, Natasha Behan Moore, Kim Comerford, Patent Redmond, Kerrie Fitzgerald, Haley Costello, Katie Kavanagh.

St Anne's:- Maria Cullinane, Ann Marie Drennan, Orla Maher, Linda Warren, Alison Muldowney, Niamh Sweeney, Sarah Brennan, Mary Corcoran, Siobhan Corcoran, Chloe Purcell, Sarah Whelan, Marion O Connell, Catherine Moynihan, Rachel Dermody, Ellen Fitzpatrick.

Subs Used: - Helen Reede, Edel Hughes, Karen Brennan.

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U.14 County Final, Piltown v St Martins

Piltown under-14 Camogie team are the 2009 Roinn B County Champions after a 6-4 to 1-0 victory against Muckalee in John Locke Park, Callan on the Bank Holiday Monday. Although not providing a performance that was on a par with their great semi final victory over Mullinavat, Piltown went about winning the game and at the end of the day, finals are all about winning.

It took two minutes for Kelly Ann Doyle to solo through the Muckalee defence to get the opening goal. On nine minutes a Debbie Phelan 45 was deflected to the net. Kelly Ann grabbed her second goal in the 15th minute. However for the remaining fifteen minutes, Piltown only added one more point (Niamh Dermody) to lead 3-1 to 0-0 at half time.

Chloe Blackmore got a goal in the first minute of the second half, which killed off the game as a contest. Despite this Piltown never really got into the top gear that they are capable of. Edel Long got her first score in the 36th minute (a point). Then, came four scores in four minutes, which gave Piltown a comfortable lead. Goals from substitute Lisa McCarthy and Chloe Holden who was taken out of goal for the second half and points from Edel Long and Debbie Phelan (Free).

Piltown failed to score after this and Muckalee did get a consolation goal but it was Piltown's title and captain Niamh Dermody took possession of the cup on behalf of the victors.

Antonia Power was solid and reliable in defence. She had virtually a hundred percent record on clearances. Lorraine Long offered good support. Edel Long worked hard in midfield. She was well backed up by Sorcha Phelan. The open play in the forwards provided a fitting platform for a superb display by Kelly Ann Doyle.

It was Piltown's second under-14 title having beaten Carrickshock in the 2002 Roinn C final. That team went on to backbone last year's Junior team that won the championship. Hopefully, this team will provide some more star players for the future. Well done to mentors, Miriam Reid, Gay Doyle, Tom Holden and Andrew McCarthy.