Kickhams deny ‘Dangan Camogie League double

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior ‘C’ League Final

Knockavilla’D Kickhams 4-6

Kiladangan 1-4

Report: Liam Hogan at the Camogie Grounds

A strong second half performance saw Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams defeat Kiladangan in the County Junior ‘C’ Camogie League Final on Sunday.

Played in warm sunshine, the game appeared to have the ingredients of a low-scoring encounter before Emma Mulqueen opened the scoring after six minutes. Three minutes later, Jessie Collins had the teams’ level as both defences held the upper hand.

If anything, Knockavilla looked to have the more potential and there were signs of what they could do in the second quarter.

The ever present Mary Ann Hayes gave Kickhams the lead in the fifteenth minute. One minute later, both Jessie Collins and Ruby Kelly combined to see the former put Kelly through for a goal.

Kiladangan’s brief recovery saw Emma Mulqueen force Kickhams keeper Mary Louise O’Rourke to save before the West ladies came back with two points through Ruby Kelly (free) and Mary Ann Hayes. Both Kelly and Hayes were a constant threat to the Kiladangan defence with Ana Butler catching the eye at midfield.

At half time, it was Kickhams 1-4 Kiladangan 0-1 but the ‘Dangan looked the fresher on their return with the lively Lilly Brennan scoring before two Paula Kelly frees had the deficit down to a goal with twenty minutes on the clock.

However, Kickhams soon rediscovered their form and registered 1-2 in the next five minutes starting with Ruby Kelly kicking the ball over the bar before she doubled her goal tally with substitute Clodagh Ryan adding a point for an eight point advantage.

Lily Brennan’s fighting spirit re-ignited a Kiladangan comeback when scoring a great goal following a thirty metre solo run.

However, that was Kiladangan’s last score and Knockavilla were not one to rest on their laurels. Another move saw Clodagh Ryan denied by Karen Seymour who was excellent in goal. The pressure continued and goals by Mary Ann Hayes (53 minutes) and Ruby Kelly from a 45 metre free five minutes later saw the black and yellow sure of victory.

Player of the Match: Ruby Kelly (Knockavilla-D Kickhams)

Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams: Mary Louise O’Rourke, Sophie O’Dwyer, Megan McCormack, McKensie Thompson; Aine Hayes, Aine Leahy, Jade Collins (0-1); Anna Butler, Kate Leahy; Emma Kingston, Ruby Kelly (3-2, 1-1f), Ava O’Dwyer; Roisin Crowe, Jessie Collins, Mary Ann Hayes (1-2).

Subs: Kate Nolan for Jade Collins (19 inj); Belle Kelly for Crowe (HT); Clodagh Ryan (0-1) for A O’Dwyer (HT); Jamie Allen for Jessie Collins (45); Aine Ryan for A Hayes (46); Kelly Lawrence for MA Hayes (54).

Kiladangan: Karen Seymour; Caoimhe Hayes, Ailbhe Gaynor, Niamh Hackett; Eire Ryan, Hannah Delaney, Saoirse Maher; Paula Kelly (0-2f), Muireann Sheahan; Lily Brennan (1-1), Marie Minehan. Emma Cahalan; Cara Mulcahy, Emma Mulqueen (0-1), Ellen Meaney.

Subs: Eimear Hogan for Cahalan (29); Emma Cahalan for Mulcahy (52); Margaret Hayes for Kelly (54).

Referee: TP Sullivan (Lorrha).