Kilkenny under-16 camogie girls easily regained their Leinster title as they defeated Dublin at a sun-drenched Tom Ryall Park, Kilmanagh, last Sunday afternoon. It was an efficient, disciplined, and workmanlike display from Kilkenny, who surged clear during the second-half, as the switching of Miriam Walsh had a decisive effect. Walsh scored 1-2 in the second-half — 1-4 in total as they killed off the hopes of the Metropolitan girls.
Also significant to Kilkenny’s victory was the performance of Megan Farrell who produced a sensational second-half display in curbing the influence of Dublin senior panellist and talented youngster Ciara Berkley.
Both sides exchanged early points in the opening four minutes as a Berkeley free was sandwiched between points from a Lydia Fitzpatrick pointed free from 60 yards and Aine Gannon from play.
The Dublin forwards constantly had the Kilkenny defence under pressure, and they struck early courtesy of a handpassed goal in the seventh minute from Aisling Elliott 1-1 to 0-2.
Berkeley was a livewire during the first-half, and she added two points (including one from play ) as they led 1-3 to 0-3 by the 18th minute with Fitzpatrick adding a pointed ’45.
However Kilkenny responded in the 19th minute when a brilliant run through the heart of the defence by Lydia Fitzpatrick saw her strike for goal.
Her shot was blocked and deflected off a Dublin defender, before Aine Gannon struck an overhead shot that flew to the net for the levelling goal 1-3 each.
Dublin replied in the 21st minute, and Ciara Berkeley’s attempted point was gathered but not held by Noelle Murphy, before Cliona McCullagh created the space for herself to strike home an excellent goal 2-3 to 1-3.
However Kilkenny finished the half strongly as they drew level courtesy of points from Miriam Walsh (2 ) and Julie Anne Malone 2-3 to 1-6.
Berkeley pointed a free within a minute of the restart, but Kilkenny took over as they regained the lead with points from the hardworking Mary Corcoran and a Lydia Fitzpatrick pointed ‘45 — 1-8 to 2-4.
Orla Began pointed to level proceedings again, before the switching of Miriam Walsh turned the game on its head.
The Loreto student pointed superbly from play, following a long clearance out of defence by Miriam Walsh, before striking home an excellent goal in the 39th minute to put Kilkenny firmly in the driving seat.
They were in further control moments later when Mary Corcoran pounced on defensive errors to slot the ball into an empty net 3-9 to 2-5.
Kilkenny introduced Niamh Donnelly and Ciara Farrell for Niamh Darmody and Rachel Lynch respectively, and Donnelly made an instant impact scoring a superb point.
Dublin responded with a well worked goal from Doireann Mullaney, before Kilkenny weathered that setback with four consecutive points between the 45th and 50th minutes from Niamh Donnelly, Miriam Walsh, Lydia Fitzpatrick (45 ), and Julie-Anne Malone — who blazed over with the goal at her mercy 3-14 to 3-5.
Berkeley pointed a free in the 51st minute to conclude the Dublin scoring before Niamh Donnelly added a fourth goal in the 54th minute when her point attempt ended up in the top left-hand corner.
Michaela Kenneally worked like a Trojan during the second-half and she scored a superb point from play in the 54th minute which was just rewards for her efforts.
Mission accomplished for Kilkenny who now prepare for their All-Ireland semi-final outing with Clare on Saturday week.
Apart from Miriam Walsh and Megan Farrell, who were already mentioned, others who performed well were Deirdre Walsh, the tight-marking Katie Doheny and powerhouse centre-back Mary O’Connell who were solid in defence.
Michaela Kenneally worked her socks off throughout, while Mary Corcoran came into the game during the second-half making a decisive impact.
Also Niamh Donnelly was superb when introduced and she has surely put herself in contention for a starting spot in the All-Ireland semi-final having started against Tipperary and Galway in the group stages of the All-Ireland series.
Scorers: Kilkenny – Miriam Walsh 1-4, Niamh Donnelly 1-2, Lydia Fitzpatrick 0-4(0-3 ‘45s 0-1 free ), Aine Gannon and Mary Corcoran 1-1 each, Julie-Anne Malone 0-2, Michaela Kenneally 0-1.
Dublin: Ciara Berkeley 0-5 (0-4 frees ), Aisling Maher, Cliona McCullagh, and Doireann Mullaney 1-0 each.
