O’Duffy Cup
Kilkenny 1-14
Galway 1-11
By Michael O’Leary
Kilkenny emerged victorious in a titanic-thriller as they continued to have the edge on Galway in the opening-round of the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship played in Nowlan Park last Saturday.
Kilkenny led 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval and they could have led by further when they were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute.
Aoife Neary and Colette Dormer combined where the latter was fouled, and there was no doubt regarding the outcome of the decision. Anne Dalton stepped up but her attempt was blocked. However Michelle Quilty unselfishly found Colette Dormer and the Paulstown native struck over the point. Galway started the second-half in a blitz. They completely dominated the early stages as Aisling Connolly (2 1f 1’45 ) and further efforts from Tara Rutledge and Therese Maher drew the sides level at 0-9 each. They continued to press forward buoyed on by the momentum, and a brilliantly taken goal by Brenda Hanney in the 41st minute gave Galway the outright lead. Kilkenny were in a mini-crisis, but they displayed the character that symbolises Kilkenny camogie these days. Anne Dalton struck over an excellent point from play in the 44th minute to narrow the gap and she pointed a 45 metre pressure free as only the minimum separated them.
The game’s most crucial moment came in the 48th minute and it proved decisive. A long diagonal clearance from Elaine Aylward found Michelle Quilty who cleverly sent a low ball into the path of Aoife Neary. Neary beat the attempts of goalkeeper Susan Earner, and she got the slightest of touches to slot the ball home. 1-11 to 1-9. Further points in the closing 10 minutes from the outstanding Denise Gaule, Anne Dalton, and Katie Power proved sufficient as Kilkenny held on despite a nerve-wracking finish. Galway, twice in the dying stages, went for goals from close range frees only to be denied by staunch Kilkenny defending. Not the most convincing of displays by Kilkenny, but they showed lion-hearted determination to prove their dogged qualities in a difficult situation.
Their defensive unit was once again solid with Lizzie Lyng at corner-back, the ever-reliable Catherine Doherty, Leanne Fennelly, and the stylish Edwina Keane all performing heroics at various stages, while Anne Dalton played a captain’s part in leading the revival. However Denise Gaule was the star on show as she scored 0-4 from play.
This Saturday, June 19, Kilkenny make the trip down Leeside to face All-Ireland champions Cork.
Scorers: Kilkenny – Denise Gaule and Michelle Quilty (all frees ) 0-4 each, Aoife Neary 1-0, Anne Dalton 0-3 (0-1 free ), Katie Power 0-2, Colette Dormer 0-1, Aisling Connolly 0-7 (0-6 frees 0-1’45 ), Brenda Hanney 1-0, Therese Maher, Veronica Curtin, Tara Routledge, and Orla Kilkenny, 0-1 each.
Player of the match: Denise Gaule (Kilkenny ).
Teams –
Kilkenny: Catriona Ryan, Lizzie Lyng, Catherine Doherty, Jacqui Frisby, Edwina Keane, Leanne Fennelly, Elaine Aylward, Denise Gaule, Anne Dalton, Michelle Quilty, Aoife Neary, Marie Dargan, Colette Dormer, Katie Power, Shelley Farrell. Sub: Anna Farrell.
Galway: Susan Earner, Sandra Tannian, Sarah Dervan, Niamh Kilkelly, Regina Glynn, Anne-Marie Hayes, Lorraine Ryan, Emma Kilkenny, Orla Kilkenny, Aisling Connolly, Therese Maher (captain ), Brenda Hanney, Tara Rutledge, Veronica Curtin, Caroline Murray.
Sub: Aoife Lynskey.
Referee: Karl O’Brien.
