Defending champions

GLENEALY KNOCKANANNA 3-10 2-13

COUNTY champions Knockananna were put to the pin of their collar to share the spoils evenly in this enjoyable and keenly contested Senior camogie championship game played on a lovely sod for hurling at Glenealy on Thursday night last.

They may have been still living the elation of a runaway victory last week against Bray but Glenealy quickly brought them back to earth with a gutsy performance.

Centre forward Ciara Byrne got the Knockananna girls off to a good start with a point after two minutes. Ciara went on to have a fine game, both from frees and play but she was tightly marked all the way by a vigilant Glenealy defence, who were well aware of the danger she posed.

Wing forward Vicky Coen rocked Knockananna back on their heels when she netted Glenealy’s first goal after five minutes.

Three minutes later Sarah Byrne picked up a wayward Glenealy clearance and slotted point number two for the champions.

Laura Manley and Erynn O’Brien were swaying the midfield exchanges in Glenealy’s favour and putting a lot of pressure on the Knockananna defence where Aine O’Keeffe and Emily O’Reilly were standing firm.

Laura Manley is a great striker of the ball from the hand and from frees and went on to contribute 1-8 of her sides total from frees and play.

She pointed twice by nine minutes (one a free). Ciara Byrne with a pointed free and Sarah Byrne with a goal from play plus another Manley pointed free had the sides level at 1-3 each after a quarter of an hour.

Laura Manley put Glenealy into a four-point when she pointed another free followed immediately by a goal from play. Laura Hogan responded with a point from play but a Vicky Coen point brought back the four point gap.

Ciara Byrne converted another free but Laura Manley kept the gap