Camogie joy as Dales see off brave Kiltegan
Full-forward bagged 4-1
AVONDALE put on a superb display to see off a battling Kiltegan and claim the Intermediate league crown in Joule Park Aughrim on Monday evening last.
With an attack led by the seemingly unstoppable Tanya McDonald and the pacey Caitlin Olohan, there was little Kiltegan could do to thwart the constant flow of attacks that came maurauding up the field both centrally and out wide.
McDonald finished the night with 4-1 to her credit and all of her goals were excellently taken strikes after her first taking on at least one marker and beating them before finishing to the back of the net.
Olohan was outstanding in this game and finished with 1-8 (two frees, two 45s) and her speed caused the Kiltegan half-back line endless headaches.
This wasn’t a game for the fainthearted. The pulls were of the murderous variety and there was no quarter given nor asked as these two very decent sides got down to battle at 7.30pm in the county grounds.
Within the first few minutes Avondale had opened up a 1-1 to no score lead but a fine goal from Lynn Fenton got Kiltegan right back in the game after three minutes.
Kiltegan’s problems really began in the 10th minute when Avondale put the boot to the floor through goals from Caitlin Olohan and McDonald, and points from Ciara Clancy, McDonald, and Olohan to lead 3-5 to 1-3 at the break.
Kiltegan produced an excellent reply from the start of the second half with a goal from Lynn Fenton and a fine pioint from Fiona Hobson who worked hard throughout this game alongside her half-forward colleague Evelyn Deans.
Avondale’s ability to take control of this game at key times was again evident when they hit 1-3 in a matter of minutes, the goal from McDonald, before Lynn Fenton called a halt to their march with a point to make it 4-8 to 2-5 in favour of the Dales.
Fiona Hobson’s ripper of a goal made it 4-10 to 3-5 with about six left on the clock but that woman Mcdonald came back to haunt the Kiltegan defence when she turned her marker and stormed down on Teresa Keogh’s goal before rifling home and unstoppable shot.
Avondale looked extremely impressive in a game that endured its turgid moments but overall was thoroughly enjoyable. Kiltegan seemed to be caught off guard by the ferocity and pace of the Avondale attack, expect that to be rectified come championship.
Avondale: Joyce Heffernan; Kelly Rattray Kavanagh, Tracey Sunderland, Carol Murphy/Benton; Michelle Humphries, Mairead Dunne, Lorraine Doyle; Katie Kennedy, Stephanie Rattray; Ciara Clancy, Caitlin Olohan, Shifra Vervee; Antonia Heffernan, Tanya Mcdonald, Stephanie Keogh. Subs: Amanda Burke, Ellie McNamara, Orla Byrne.
Kiltegan: Teresa Keogh; Laura O’Keeffe, Patricia Keogh, Amelia Cullen; Andrea Byrne, Michelle Farrell, Aine Timmons; Sarah Fennelly, Elisha Ryan; Evelyn Deans, Fiona Hobson, Jackie Byrne; Eimear Doyle, Lynn Fenton, Sarah Byrne. Subs: Stephanie Jackson, Meadhbh Thornton, Paula Fenton, Jessica Foley.