The Kilkenny camogie girls have produced a habit of creating late drama in recent times and once again they made life difficult for themselves in sweltering sunshine at O’Connor Park, Tullamore, last Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 1-12 to 0-7 against Galway in a repeat of last August’s All-Ireland semi-final, Kilkenny looked dead and buried, but once again they demonstrated the character that Kilkenny camogie teams epitomise these days by their never say die spirit.
Galway failed to score over the closing quarter of an hour, as Kilkenny scored an unanswerable 2-5 without reply. Pointed frees from Aoife Neary and Anne Dalton (two ) narrowed the deficit as the Tribesmen still possessed a five point advantage entering the final five minutes.
However, an Anne Dalton deflected goal from a 20 metre free in the 56th minute gave Kilkenny real hope.
Once they added points in quick succession from the hard-working Michelle Quilty and the leveller from Katie Power, Anne Downey’s troops were in the driving seat. 1-12 each. The recovery was complete and Galway were dead on their feet. However the crowning glory was complete in the 59th minute following a terrific movement.
Leanne Fennelly who was superb throughout at centre-back, sent a long ball towards Michelle Quilty who raced forward in anticipation. Quilty unselfishly picked out super-sub Colette Dormer who unleashed a low shot past Susan Earner. It was all Kilkenny now, although Galway came forward in search of a late equalising goal. Twice the Connacht ladies surged forward in the dying stages with strong running by 16-year-old Niamh McGrath. However staunch defending by the Kilkenny full-back line of the tight-marking Amy Butler, the tenacious working Catherine Doherty, and the irrepressible Jacqui Frisby, denied Galway as they proved more than full value for their three point victory. What a comeback by the girls, and really their victory was no more than they deserved for their second-half efforts. Kilkenny camogie produces a never say die attitude these days, and after beating Cork, Tipperary, and now Galway in the league semi-final, they could be set up for a great year.
Prior to the Galway goal, it was largely a non-event, with plenty of stop-start passages of play and little free-flowing action. Aislinn Connolly (0-9 0-8 frees 0-1’45 ) converted 0-7 of her side’s first-half total as they led 0-10 to 0-5 in a poor quality first-half. The victory was marred by what appeared to be a nasty injury to Eimear Lyng, following an accidental collision with Elaine Aylward. Hopefully it is nothing too serious.
The Rower-Inistioge defender was replaced by Kate McDonald who performed solidly when introduced.
Kilkenny now face Wexford in the Division One final in Semple Stadium, Thurles, on Saturday, April 24.
Player of the match: Leanne Fennelly (Kilkenny ).
The swashbuckling Jacqui Frisby, Anne Dalton, and super-sub Colette Dormer were all magnificent. However Leanne Fennelly gave a masterclass from start to finish and stifled the threat of Galway playmaker Therese Maher.
Scorers: Kilkenny – Anne Dalton 1-6 (1-4 frees ), Colette Dormer 1-0, Aoife Neary 0-3 (frees ), Katie Power 0-2, Michelle Quilty 0-1.
Galway – Aislinn Connolly 0-9 (0-8 frees 0-1’45 ), Brenda Hanney 1-0, Laura Mitchell, Emma Kilkelly, and Therese Maher 0-1 each.
