Rising Kickhams condemn the Rovers to another final defeat

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Championship Final

Knockavilla Kickhams 5-14

Shannon Rovers 3-6

Report: Liam Hogan at the Camogie Grounds

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla Kickhams)

SCORERS - Knockavilla Kickhams: Eimear Heffernan 2-4 (0-1 free); Ereena Friday 1-4; Caoimhe McCarthy 0-4; Eimear Gleeson, Emma Ryan 1-0 each; Ellen Browne 0-2.

Shannon Rovers: Aoife McLoughney 2-6 (1-3 free); Paula Hannigan 1-0.

Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams continued their remarkable progress as the 2020 junior ‘A’ champions are new county intermediate camogie champions following their decisive victory over Shannon Rovers in the final on Sunday.

Apart from a slow start, when they trailed 1-2 to 0-1 after sixteen minutes, there was never any doubt about the outcome once they put their plan of running at the Rovers defence in motion, who were defeated in the final for the second year in a row.

Blessed with a young side made up of seven minors and only four over the age of nineteen, the fast-running Kickhams front eight they simply had too much ammunition in the side with county players of the calibre of Caoimhe McCarthy, Ereena Fryday and Eimear Heffernan plus minor Caoimhe McCormack very prominent. McCormack lined out at left corner forward but played the role of sweeper with added value.

The forward line didn’t miss her and when you add the worth of Eimear Gleeson and Ellen Browne provided plenty of support. In addition, they had a very good backline with Beth Ryan playing very well at centre back in the company of a tight working backline with Leonie Farrell and Ellie Hadnett prominent.

In contrast the Rovers attack was limited with Aoife McLoughney their sole star up front. The former Tipp forward scored all bar one goal of the Rovers total. Tipp under 16 player Celine Guinan tried hard but Sinead Furlong kept a close eye on her while Laura Leenane got no dividends from Beth Ryan. Emma Darcy was best of the rest.

On a positive note, Sabrina Larkin used her inter-county experience and never gave up as did Tipp 16 players Niamh Franks and Eimear Fogarty, in front of Áine Slattery who could do little with the goals that flew past her but as usual her lengthy puckouts and clearances provided much relief. Gillian McKenna’s departure through injury after nine minutes was a setback for the Rovers. She left a huge void at midfield but returned to the scene late on in the game.

Aoife McLoughney had Rovers of the mark with a free after three minutes before Ellen Browne levelled two minutes later. Play was held up for four minutes when Gillian McKenna needed attention for a leg injury before Rachel Hannigan replaced her. When play resumed, Rovers continued on the front foot and in the 16th minute Aoife McLoughney used her experience to score the game’s opening goal when she followed up on Paula Hannigan’s delivery from the left to get the vital touch in steering the ball past Kickhams keeper Sheena Ryan who hesitated in coming off her line to meet the ball.

McLoughney added a point from play and the Reds looked comfortable but there were a few more minutes before the water-break and with Caoimhe McCarthy always a source of concern, she commenced a move which brought Eimear Heffernan in play before the latter picked out Ereena Friday ghosting into a great position who gave Áine Slattery no chance. The goal was a perfect tonic to the western girls as the teams headed home for the first water break.

That goal lead soon turned into more as points Fryday, Heffernan and McCarthy had the margin stretched to seven. Aoife McLoughney responded with a point from play in the 30th minute but heading into added time there was one more attack by Knockavilla as Eimear Heffernan increased her tally and as her side went to the dressing rooms leading 2-7 to 1-3.

Caoimhe McCarthy increased the Knockavilla seconds after the restart and in the 34th minute Eimear Heffernan had the ball in the Rovers net. Aoife McLoughney replied with a close range free, but the gap widened once again in the 38th minute when Eimear Heffernan doubled her goal tally with a great strike after Eimear Gleeson supplied the looping pass.

In the 42nd minute Ereena Friday made it 4-10 to 1-4 but Rovers received a life-line when Paula Hannigan prized the ball over the line after Sheena Ryan failed to take control of the ball after she made a great save to deny Emma Darcy from close range. However, the setback was short lived as McCarty moved her side thirteen in front as the final water-break was reached.

When play resumed Knockavilla added three unanswered points with Ellen Browne, Eimear Heffernan and Ereena Fryday on target and with the yellow and black ribbons attached to the cup the new champions added another goal through Emma Ryan right on the hour mark.

It was their last score and Rovers responded in making the scoreboard look better with Aoife McLoughney adding 1-2 from frees but it was too late by then.

TEAMS - Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams: Sheena Ryan; Ellie Hadnett, Megan McCormack, Leonie Farrell; Sinead Furlong, Beth Ryan, Holly Fitzgerald; Caoimhe McCarthy, Niamh Slattery; Ereena Fryday, Eimear Gleeson, Sarah Mae Crosse; Eimear Heffernan, Ellen Browne, Caoimhe McCormack.

Subs: Sarah Ryan for Hadnett (39); Emma Ryan for Gleeson (57); Sinead Hayes for E Browne (60); Rebecca Farrell for Slattery (60+2).

Shannon Rovers: Áine Slattery; Stephanie Sullivan, Sabrina Larkin, Áine Leenane; Niamh Franks, Eimear Fogarty, Frances Bolger; Gillian McKenna, Ciara Cleary; Áine Cleary, Aoife McLoughney, Celine Guinan; Emma Darcy, Laura Leenane, Paula Hannigan.

Subs: Rachel Hannigan for McKenna (9 inj); Anna Harding for C Cleary (50); Gillian McKenna for R Hannigan (50); Michelle Carroll for Leenane (53).

Referee: Michael Heffernan (Moycarkey/Borris).