Quick Kickhams crucial in upsetting Burgess/Duharra
Burgess/Duharra were upset by Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams on Friday evening as the West Tipp side kept their hopes of reaching the senior camogie championship quarter finals alive with a deserved win.
CAMOGIE: Tipperary Senior Championship Group 2 Round 4
Knockavilla-D Kickhams 1-18
Burgess/Duharra 1-13
The North side travelled west as hot favourites, but Knockavilla took great momentum from their draw with Eire Og Annacarty the previous week and got off the perfect start with a goal from Eimear Heffernan. Ciara Houlihan could do nothing to stop the rasper of a strike from a side-line cut.
The West women took full advantage of Duharra being gazed by their quick start and raced into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead after twelve minutes, an exceptional point from Millie Kelly opening the lead to seven.
The Kickhams were reaping the benefits of an honest work-rate and kept Duharra to a single point until Jenny Grace got their second point from a free after 22 minutes.
Tara Kennedy looked to inspire her team-mates and scored Burgess/Duharra’s third point. Emma O’Mara was sharp for Kickhams and finished a well-worked play by striking the ball straight over the black spot. Ciara McKeogh, back to her determined self, refused to see her side go down without a fight and rattled the home-sides net. The half time score was in favour of Knockavilla, 1-14 to 1-4.
Tara Kennedy started the second half with a mission to close the gap and successfully pointed from play. Ereena Fryday was sweeping for the west women and along with the help of Caoimhe McCarthy, the Knockavilla defence proved to be very tight and nothing came easy to Duharra.
Jenny Grace kept Duharra within touching distance, converting any free awarded and as the gap narrowed tensions heightened.
Ciardha Maher scored a point from play reduce the deficit to five before Sheena Ryan pulled off a match winning save for Knockavilla.
A red card for Tara Kennedy, who was one of Burgess’s best players, along with Caoimhe Maher, Jenny grace and Ciardha Maher added to the visitors woes. The result means it’s all still to play for in the fifth and final round of group two.
Player of the Match: Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)
Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams: Sheena Ryan (7); Saoirse O’Dwyer (6), Sarah Mae Crosse (6), Emma Ryan (7); Sinead Furlong (6), Caoimhe McCormack (7), Sarah Ryan (7); Caoimhe McCarthy (0-1, 8), Ereena Fryday (0-2, 1f, 7); Millie Kelly (0-1, 7), Niamh Slattery (7), Emma O’Mara (0-1, 7); Keri Anne Walsh (6), Eimear Heffernan (1-13, 1-0 s-cut, 0-11f) 8), Ellen Browne (6).
Subs: Emma Daly (6) for Walsh, Jade Collins (6) for Crosse.
Burgess/Duharra: Ciara Holohan (7); Iris Grace (7), Aisling Cremin (7), Ella Slattery (7); Katie Grace (6), Caoimhe Maher (0-1, 8), Malwina Dziewiatka (6); Ciara McKeogh (7), Jenny Grace (0-7f, 7); Caoilfhoinn Maher (6), Kaitlin O’Halloran (6), Roisin Duffy (1-0, 7); Tara Kennedy (0-1, 7), Ciardha Maher (0-2, 7), Danielle Nealon (0-2, 7).
Sub: Lucy Slattery (6) for Dziewiatka (35).
Referee: Michael Heffernan (Moycarkey/Borris).