Kilkenny 1-13
Galway 1-9
National Camogie League senior champions Kilkenny, regained their winning stance with a decisive 1-13 to 1-9 victory over Galway in a tense contest where Kilkenny dug deep to emerge victorious.
Trailing 1-5 to 0-6 at half-time, following a first-half where stoppages of play occurred frequently, Kilkenny were undone by, in my opinion, dodgy refereeing decisions.
A Jessica Gill goal at the end of first-half normal time separated the sides, and she converted two points (1 free, 1 ’45 ) to extend the margin after Sinead Millea had pointed a free. 1-7 to 0-7.
However, Kilkenny increased the pace in the last 20 minutes, as they tackled ferociously around the field, with their watertight defensive unit proving impossible to break down.
The introduction of substitute Anna Farrell had a decisive impact, as she set up the all-important goal for Marie Dargan, while also playing her part in the move which led to a free which Sinead Millea converted.
Farrell scored the decisive insurance point at the end of normal time to seal victory which leaves the way open for Kilkenny to face Cork this coming weekend.
Trailing 1-9 to 0-9 after 39 minutes, Kilkenny scored an unanswerable 1-3 without reply in a three minute spell that proved significant.
The excellent Bridgid Mullally fired over a point, before Marie Dargan blasted a goal, after a brilliant solo run engineered by Farrell. 1-8 to 1-7.
Sinead Millea (free ) and Marie Dargan added points to extend Kilkenny’s lead, before Millea added another free in the 48th minute. 1-11 to 1-7.
Galway responded and two points from the ever dangerous Jessica Gill narrowed the gap, before late points from a Millea ’45 and Anna Farrell sealed victory.
It was doggedly impressive performance from Kilkenny. The defensive unit led by the inspirational Jacqui Frisby was top class, Lizzie Lyng worked tirelessly in midfield, while the experienced veterans Sinead Millea and Bridget Mullally spearheaded the attack contributing 0-10 between them.
Scorers:
Kilkenny: Sinead Millea 0-7(0-6 frees 0-1’45 ), Marie Dargan 1-1, Bridget Mullally 0-3, Edwina Keane + Anna Farrell 0-1 each.
Galway: Jesscia Gill 1-6(0-4 frees 0-1’45 ), Veronica Curtin, Therese Maher + Caroline Kelly all 0-1 each.
Teams: Kilkenny: Catriona Ryan (Tullogher ), Amy Butler (Mullinavat ), Catherine Doherty (St Annes ), Eimear Lyng (Rower-Inistoge ), Elaine Alyward (Mullinavat ), Kelly-Anne-Cotterell (Tullogher ), Jacqui Frisby (Ballyhale Shmarocks ), Lizzie Lyng (Rower-Inistioge ), Anne Dalton (St Lachtains ), Marie Daragan (St Lachtains ), Edwina Keane (St Martins ), Bridget Mullally (Glenmore ), Marie O’Connor (St Lachtains ), Aoife Neary (James Stephens ), Sinead Millea (Cashel ).
Substitutes: Katie Power (Piltown ), Anna Farrell (Thomastown ).
Galway: Susan Keane, Sandra Tannion, Aibhle Kelly, Therese Manton, Ann-Marie Hayes, Sinead Cahalan, Niamh Kilkenny, Aine Hilary, Sarah Noone, Caroline Kelly, Therese Maher, Veronica Curtin, Brenda Kerins, Jessie Gill, Clodagh Glynn.
Substitutes: Lourda Kavanagh, Orla Kilkenny.
Referee: Cathal Egan(Cork ).
