Late Holycross surge sinks Kiladangan

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior 'A' Championship Semi-Final

Holycross/Ballycahill 2-13

Kiladangan 0-9

Report: Liam Hogan at the Camogie Grounds, The Ragg

Hot favourites Holycross/Ballycahill pulled away in the last ten minutes to finally end a brave Kiladangan challenge in a well-contested County Junior ‘A’ Camogie Championship semi-final on Saturday afternoon.

It wasn’t for the want of effort by the North girls but in the final analysis the Holycross had too many strings to their bow when it came to the crunch.

Kiladangan started well and led 0-3 to 0-1 thanks to an Isabelle Kingston free and two Caoimhe Noonan points from play. However, Holycross were level by the 21st minute after Linda Connors and the impressive Alana McGrath (her second) found the range.

Kingston moved Kiladangan back in front a minute later, but their defence were coming under increased pressure, firstly with Aoife Gleeson denying Lorna O’Dwyer with a great save before Caoimhe Doyle levelled in the 26th minute.

Another Kingston free had Kiladangan in front once more before Holycross pressurised the defence into losing possession before Linda Connors found the net on the half hour mark. It was a shock to the Kiladangan girls, but they responded well in added time as Caoimhe Noonan scored her third point and by half time it was 1-4 to 0-6.

With an improving Holycross defence led by Katie Ryan at right corner back and Anna Gavin at six, the pendulum began to swing more towards the Kiladangan end and four unanswered points through Claire Stakelum plus two 45s by Lauren McCormack before the strong running Lorna O’Dwyer added a fourth.

Good defensive work by Eadaoin Hackett, Jane Minehan and Sinead Meagher meant that Kiladangan stayed in touch. A foul on Caoimhe Noonan and another Isabelle Kingston free in the 40th minute left the north girls four adrift. Both sides swapped scores with Alana McGrath scoring again but two Sinead Meagher scores, a free and a 45 left three points between the sides with ten minutes remaining.

It proved to be Kiladangan’s final score as the work-rate of Roisin Comerford at right wing back plus Claire Stakelum at midfield meant more good possession from Holycross and they went for broke as the subs bench came to the fore with Issy Carr and Alison Fitzgerald picking off a score each.

With time running out, Holycross/Ballycahill headed for home with two Lorna McGrath frees leaving no doubt about the outcome with another substitute Sophie Lee sealing the deal with a last minute goal.

Player of the Match: Alana McGrath (Holycross/Ballycahill).

Holycross/Ballycahill: Sarah Gleeson (7); Katie Ryan (8), Meabh Ryan (6), Kate Dwan (6); Roisin Comerford (8), Anna Gavin (8), Kate Carr (7); Claire Stakelum (7), Gráinne O’Dowd (0-1, 6); Lauren McCormack (0-4, 3f, 1 ’45) 7), Lorna O’Dwyer (0-1, 7), Alana McGrath (0-3, 8); Stephanie Dwan (6), Caoimhe Doyle (0-1, 7), Linda Connors (1-1, 7).

Subs: Issy Carr (0-1, 6) for S Dwan (HT); Alison Fitzgerald (0-1, 7) for O’Dowd (35); Michelle Dwan (7) for Connors (48); Sophie Lee (1-0, 6) for Doyle (59).

Kiladangan: Aoife Gleeson (8); Roisin Connolly (6), Eadaoin Hackett (7), Nicola McGrath Minehan (7); Jane Minehan (6), Sinead Meagher (0-2, 1f, 1 ‘45) 7), Maria Minehan (6); Theresa Collins (7), Laoise Ryan (6); Emma Gavin (6), Maedbh Ryan (6), Sadhbh Fogarty (6); Ava Seymour (6), Caoimhe Noonan (0-3, 7), Isabelle Kingston (0-4, 3f, 7).

Subs: Aoibheann Ryan (6) for M Minehan (46); Niamh Kelly (7) for Fogarty (46); Olivia Mulhall (6) for McGrath Minehan (52); Eimear Meagher (6) for J Minehan (52).

Referee: Joe Kearney (Clonoulty/Rossmore)