Knockananna capture the Senior crown
Liz Fahy hat-trick helps beat Donard
KNOCKANANNA 3-13 DONARD-THE GLEN 1-10
THE Senior camogie county final of 2016 was once again contested by two sides who are so familiar with each other that at this stage each player must know their opposite number’s favourite colour.
Ciara Byrne’s own preference must be white because no sooner had the game started than she had compelled the umpires to raise a white flag after a great score from a tight angle.
Both full-backs showed their worth early on with first Aine O’ Keeffe halting Mary Whelan of Donard before starting a Knockananna attack which was in turn snuffed out by Mary O’ Neill.
Donard wasted no time in drawing level. Kelly O’ Neill was fouled after good work from Sheila Whelan leaving Clair Whelan to level proceedings with a free from 25 yards straight in front of the posts.
They say familiarity breeds contempt and there was certainly an extra bit of spice in this game with both sides thundering in to challenges.
This was emphasised as early as the third minute when Knockananna co-captain Mag Roche was absolutely clattered by Aoife Grace in a bone-crushing collision which was certainly within the laws of the game. Donard edged ahead when Kelly O’Neill won another free to allow Clair Whelan to double her tally. Not to be outdone, Ciara Byrne levelled within a matter of moments after a good ball in to the full-forward line from Sinead Byrne.
Both sides were matching each other in every facet of the game, and scores were traded with Sinead Byrne and Sarah Byrne converting for Knockananna and Mary Whelan and Clair Whelan duly responding for Donard.
Sinead Byrne edged her side in front with a well-taken free before goalmouth action at either end had a substantial impact on the game.
Karen Walsh found Clair Whelan in space who played a dangerous ball across goal which was intercepted well by Macayla Murphy in the Knockananna goal under pressure from several onrushing Donard attackers. From the clearance, Laura Hogan found herself in possession on the Donard 45 but was well blocked by Nora O’Neill in what was proving to be an enthralling individual battle.
Shortly afterwards, spurred on by the cries of ‘Now we’re hurling!’ from the Knockananna dugout after a timely interception by Sarah Byrne, Claire Byrne passed to Ciara Byrne who played a long ball in to the Knockananna full-forward line which was turned into the net by Liz Fahy. This gave Knockananna increased confidence and they could have pulled further ahead but for a superb hook from Carmel Whelan on Sarah Byrne.
Laura Hogan extended her side’s lead to five points after receiving a pass from Sinead Byrne and feinting past her marker.
Hogan’s marker Nora O’Neill then replied with a point of her own with a monster free from inside her own half.
There may have been a wind behind Donard but O’Neill has certainly been eating her spinach because this was a superb strike from miles out the field. Knockananna appeared nervous at times, with balls that should have been held on to being dropped, but when the opportunities presented themselves the ladies in green and yellow were ruthless.
Sarah Byrne won possession and found herself in space on the left and her shot was blocked only to loop into the path of Liz Fahy who plucked the sliotar out of the air, took two steps past her marker and clinically found the back of the net.
Clair Whelan pegged back a point for her side in the closing stages of the first half to leave Knockananna two goals to the good going in to the break.
Donard were facing an uphill battle going into the second half, six points down and playing into a relatively strong wind.
They did, however, start the second half in a lively fashion with Sheila Whelan scoring almost immediately after the restart after cutting in from the left only to see Sinead Byrne cancel this out minutes later with yet another free.
The pace of the game slowed in the early stages of the second half, with several frees preventing either side from picking up any real momentum.
The game continued in this vein until first Clair Whelan pointed from a free before a hopeful ball in from Sheila Whelan was allowed to trickle past the Knockananna fullback line after hesitant defending, leaving Kelly O’Neill with the space to pull on the ball and knock it past Macayla Murphy and into the net.
The Knockananna response was excellent as the consistently accurate Sinead Byrne cancelled out the goal with three well-taken dead balls.
Both sides had excellent free-takers to rely on, and Clair Whelan made it a four point game going into the final quarter with another fine effort after a somewhat harsh free was given against Laura Hogan.
Emily O’Reilly was introduced shortly after this and the young forward made an instant impact with a fine point after great play from Aine Byrne who was beginning to dominate midfield at the perfect time.
Further points from Sinead Byrne and Liz Fahy gave Knockananna some breathing space before Fahy herself delivered the killer blow and completed her hattrick, winning a high ball in from Ciara Byrne before slotting past the keeper in a finish remarkably
similar to the opening goal of the game.
Kelly O’Neill responded with a point of her own but it was too little too late from Donard who will rue the opening half where they failed to take advantage of the wind.
Knockananna were worthy winners on the day, well-drilleds in defence and clinical in attack. The speeches of co-captain Mag Roche and Ciara Byrne were particularly enjoyable and it is a certainty that the celebrations lasted well into the night!
Knockananna: Macayla Murphy; Emily Hadden, Aine O’Keeffe, Edel Byrne; Jessie Byrne, Kellie Byrne, Claire Byrne; Aine Byrne, Sinead Byrne (0-07); Sarah Byrne (0-01), Laura Hogan (0-01), Shannagh Goetelen; Ciara Byrne (0-02), Mag Roche, Liz Fahy (3-01). Subs: Emily O’Reilly (0-01), Sarah Tallon, Roisin Byrne, Orla Kealy, Jessie Kane, Hannah Kehoe, Eireann Moules, Sarah Mary Kealy.
Donard: Lynsey Walsh; Car- mel Whelan, Mary O’Neill, Katie Daynes; Hannah O’Neill, Nora O’Neill (0-01), Clare Grace; Aoife Grace, Grace O’Neill; Clair Whelan (0-07), Emer Miley, Karen Walsh; Lindsey Quinlan, Mary Whelan (0-01), Kelly O’Neill. Subs: Breda Walsh, Zena Carey, Sheila Whelan (1-00), Chloe Dwyer, Andrea Kealy, Emer Kelly, Sophie Mills, Samantha Mills, Sarah O’Keeffe, Niamh Clarke. Referee: Con O Ceadaigh (Kilcoole)