Heartache for Kerry in Munster Junior Camogie Final

MUNSTER JUNIOR CAMOGIE FINAL

KERRY travelled to Charleville on Thursday evening to defend their Munster Junior Camogie Title. This had been scheduled for Kilmallock on Sunday but a bereavement in the Cork camp resulted in the cancellation. A minute’s silence was held prior to throw-in.

Kerry had one change from the team selected as Jessica Fitzell replaced Áine O’Connor. Kerry hit the ground running and points by Captain Jackie Horgan in the sixth and 7seventh minutes and a free from Patrice Diggin had Kerry ahead by 0-3 to 0-0 at the 12 minute mark.

However, Cork had drawn level by the 18th minute through two frees from Christine O’Neill and a point from play from the stick of Fiona Nelligan. In the 23rd minute Patrice Diggin restored Kerry’s lead from a free only for Erin Looney to draw level for Cork. A point from Nicole Crean gave the home side a 0-5 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Upon the resumption Cork had tagged on another two points from play before Patrice Diggin replied from a free. In the 39th minute a blistering shot from Caoimhe Shanahan went just over the Cork cross bar to leave the minimum between the sides.

Niamh Leen replaced Elaine Ryall and Norette Casey replaced Alannah Whelan on the Kerry Team. Christine O’Neill replied from a free for Cork before Patrice Diggin did likewise to leave the score at the 45 minute mark, Cork 0-8 Kerry 0-7.

Cork tagged on three more points between the 49th and 57th minutes as Kerry pressed hard to get the goal that they so badly needed. They had been denied a three-pointer when an excellent Aoife Behan strike was brilliant saved by Cork Goalkeeper, Gillian Harrington. Kerry made their third substitution when Rachel Burke replaced Caoimhe Shanahan. However, it was Cork who raised a green flag in the 30th minute when the sliotar was eventually kicked over the line following brave Kerry defending.

A Patrice Diggin free and a point from play by Cork left the full-time score in the Munster Junior Camogie Final, Cork 1-12 Kerry 0-8. Kerry gave it their all but it wasn’t to be so they will now look forward to the commencement of the championship in July.

Kerry Scorers Patrice Diggin 0-5 frees, Jackie Horgan 0-2, Caoimhe Shanahan 0-1