Silvermines claim first win with composed display over Kickhams

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Group 2 Round 4

Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-9

Silvermines 0-19

Silvermines finally got their County Senior Camogie Championship campaign up and running with a deserved seven-point victory over Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams in Dundrum on Saturday.

There was little to separate the teams for much of an evenly contested first half, but Silvermines' greater spread of scorers eventually told, with player of the match Sarah Madden particularly influential before Bríd Quinn took over from placed balls after the restart.

It was Kickhams who made the brighter start with Eimear Heffernan opening the scoring before the game's only goal arrived inside seven minutes. County stars Caoimhe McCarthy and Heffernan combined in the build-up, with the latter's effort dropping short before Doireann Hales gathered possession and finished from close range.

Ciara Ryan opened Silvermines' account from a free in the ninth minute, but Kickhams remained on top early as Heffernan added an excellent long-range point.

Silvermines gradually found their feet, though, with Madden central to their recovery. She struck twice during a four-point burst with Ellen Cunneen adding another brace as Silvermines drew level by the 27th minute.

Heffernan briefly restored Kickhams' advantage, but Silvermines finished the half with real purpose. Madden landed two superb points in quick succession, the second after she punished a poor puck-out by immediately sending the ball back over the goalkeeper's head and between the posts.

Eimear Murphy then ventured forward to add another before the break, helping Silvermines establish a 0-8 to 1-3 half-time advantage.

That strong finish proved a sign of things to come.

McCarthy and Heffernan kept Kickhams in touch early in the second half, but they were increasingly reliant on a small number of attacking threats while Silvermines had scoring options throughout the field.

Brid Quinn became the dominant figure from placed balls, ruthlessly punishing Kickhams whenever opportunities presented themselves and accounting for all eight of her points after half-time.

Niamh Cunneen also chipped in with two valuable scores as Silvermines gradually established control and began to pull away.

Kickhams battled throughout, but they couldn't generate the sustained attacking momentum required to threaten a comeback as the Silvermines defence increasingly got on top.

With Madden having driven their first-half recovery and Quinn taking up the scoring mantle after the interval, Silvermines had too much firepower in the end and comfortably saw out a seven point victory and momentum going into the relegation playoffs.

Player of the Match: Sarah Madden (Silvermines)

Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams: Mary Ann Hayes (6); Emma Kingston (6), Emma Ryan (6), Aine Hayes (6); Sinead Hayes (6), Ereena Fryday (6), Emma O’Meara (6); Caoimhe McCarthy (0-2, 7), Anna Butler (6); Millie Kelly (6), Eimear Heffernan (0-7, 4f, 8), Emma Daly (6); Ellen Brown (6), Doireann Hales (1-0, 6), Therese Ryan (6).

Sub used: Sheena Ryan (6).

Silvermines: Elaine Murphy (7); Ava Quigley (7), Miriam Murphy (7), Grace Quinn (7); Kellie O’Dwyer (7), Eimear Murphy (0-1, 7), Jane Ryan (7); Niamh Cunneen (0-2), Sarah Madden (0-5, 9); Maeve Cunneen (7), Brid Quinn (0-8, 7f, 1 ’45, 8), Ciara Ryan (0-1f, 6); Aoife Ryan (6), Aisling Carey (6), Ellen Cunneen (0-2, 7).

Subs used: Nessa Murray (6), Anna Stapleton (6).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels).