Junior A Camogie
Following a second battle with Holycross our Junior A team finally clenched a place in the County Final this weekend. With over 70 training sessions under their belts this year so far, this was no more than this hard-working team deserved. Captain Marcella Keogh won the toss, a good omen to begin with and from the start Kilruane got on top. Although winning lots of possession Kilruane found scores hard to come by. The on-form Marie Ryan opened the scoring with a pointed 45, before Holycross equalised from a free. Youngest player Maria Hogan, who was a constant threat to Holycross, worked hard to keep the ball from going wide and managed to slot it over the bar from a very acute angle. Once again however Holycross equalised with a point from play. Wing back Mary Walsh won a free, which found Claire Kennedy, who coolly pointed for Kilruane. However, this was cancelled out when Holycross added two points to put them in the lead. Marie Ryan didn't let this lead last long and gave her team a great boost with a well-taken goal. Maria Hogan slotted over the final score of the half after good work again from Marie Ryan. The half-time score of 1-4 to 0-4 gave Kilruane a cushion, however the lead should have been greater given the amount of possession the girls had. The backs had given very little away, led to a great extent by Lisa Cahill who had another fine game.
A Holycross free gave them a good start to the second half, this was cancelled out when Tricia Hogan raised a white flag for Kilruane. Holycross were pushing hard for scores and goalkeeper Sarah Coonan dived low to the right to deny Holycross a certain goal. Although Holycross added a point, Claire Kennedy cancelled this out at the other end. Again ace goalkeeper Sarah Coonan was called into action when she was forced to pull off almost a replica save to deny Holycross once again. These fine saves spurred on the Kilruane side and they added points from Marie Ryan (45), Claire Kennedy and substitute Emer Starr who made an impact when introduced. At this stage Kilruane were 6 points up and must have thought their place in the County Final was secure. Holycross, however, had other ideas and a purple patch saw them score 2 goals in succession to come level with Kilruane. At this stage the momentum was with Holycross, and panic could have set in. Instead County player Claire Kennedy led by example and swung the game back in Kilruane's favour with a fine point. Marie Ryan extended the lead to two with another deadly accurate 45, she also got the final score after good work from Emer Starr. The final whistle was a welcome sound and Kilruane managed to secure the much sought after County Final spot with a 1-12 to 2-6 win.
This is the team's 3rd successive County Final appearance, winning the Junior B title in 2010, before losing the Junior A final last year to Annacarthy. The girls are eager to make up for this disappointment when they take on Borrisoleigh this Saturday at 1pm in Templederry.
Please come along and get behind the girls in this all important game.
Team: Sarah Coonan, Eibhlin Enright, Joyce Tooher, Orla Murphy, Lisa Cahill, Katie Kennedy, Mary Walsh, Shauna Tooher, Fiona Ryan, Louise Hogan, Aine Kennedy, Claire Kennedy (0-4), Maria Hogan (0-2), Marie Ryan (1-4), Tricia Hogan (0-1). Subs introduced: Emer Starr (0-1), Laura Downey, Katie Quinlisk.
