Kilruane fall short in extra time
CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Championship Semi-Final
Knockavilla Kickhams 0-16
Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-12 (AET)
Extra time was required for favourites Knockavilla Kickhams to get the better of Kilruane MacDonaghs in the County Intermediate Camogie Championship semi-final at Camogie grounds on Saturday
In what was expected to be a cut and dry affair for Kickhams who have won every game in the championship so far, however, Kilruane had not read the memo, and opened the scoring, with both teams at five points apiece all at the first water break.
Knockavilla pulled ahead at half time 0-8 to 0-6, relying heavily on the free-taking abilities of Eimear Heffernan, who finished with eleven on the day. The second half was also an extremely tight affair. Both teams played sweepers, producing a low-scoring defensive game. Kilruane converted a free before full time to draw the game at 0-11 points each, bringing the game to extra-time.
Unfortunately for Kilruane, Laura Shinners went off injured in extra time, giving Knockavilla’s Caoimhe McCarthy the opportunity to open up the game. Knockavilla scored four points in a row putting a distance between them and Kilruane for the first time in the match. A tense, nail-biting game, which will give Knockavilla food for thought going into the Intermediate Championship final where they meet Shannon Rovers.
Player of the Match: Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla Kickhams)
Knockavilla Kickhams: Sheena Ryan; Ellie Hadnett, Megan McCormack, Leonie Farrell; Sinead Furlong, Beth Ryan, Holly Fitzgerald; Caoimhe McCarthy (0-3), Niamh Slattery; Ereena Fryday (0-2), Eimear Gleeson, Ellen Browne; Eimear Heffernan (0-11, 10f), Sarah Mae Crosse, Caoimhe McCormack
Subs used: Sarah Ryan, Emma Ryan, Emma O’Mara.
Kilruane MacDonaghs: Áine Spain; Tara Lyllis, Emma Cleary, Anna Mulcahy, Leanne Gould, Laura Shinners (0-3, 2f), Shauna Heffernan, Mary Walsh, Shauna Tooher, Sophie Whelan, Roisin Cahill (0-1), Lisa Cahill (0-1), Amy Quinlisk (0-7, 5f), Lianne O’Kelly, Marie Ryan.
Subs used: Bonnie Conroy, Niamh Williams, Maria Hogan.
Referee: Mike Ryan (Nenagh Eire Og)