Knockananna march back to the summit
KNOCKANANNA climbed back to the pinnacle of Wicklow camogie when they wrestled back the Senior title from Donard-The Glen in a hard-fought encounter played in sun drenched Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Sunday afternoon last, September 20.
They never allowed the girls from the West to settle into any period of dominance and hunted and harried all through. They displayed a greater hunger and appetite for victory all through but put their supporters through an anxious time as they failed for long periods to register the scores that their dominance deserved.
It was only when Rachel Byrne scored their second goal with ten minutes to go, that the Carlow border ladies could begin to relax a bit. Up to that point, DonardThe Glen were just one score in arrears and continued to fight to hold their title.
However, Knockananna began to pull away in those final minutes and ran out deserving winners by 2-11 to 0-8.
Knockananna began the game in a determined fashion and full-forward Sarah Byrne had them a point up in the second minute. Katie Tyrell responded for Donard-The Glen almost from the puck out.
Knockananna continued to press forward and Laura Hogan put them ahead again in the fourth minute. Once again scores were levelled with a point from Grace O’Neill.
Donard-The Glen were under pressure in these early stages but stout resistance from Carmel Whelan, Jenny Tyrell and Amy Barrett in the last line of defence and Lizzie Brophy at centre back was keeping the challengers at bay.
Two further points from Rachel Byrne (one free) had Knockananna leading by 0-4 to 0-2 by ten minutes.
However, a point from a Katie Tyrell free left just a point in it when the water break was called. Knockananna were enjoying more possession up to now but DonardThe Glen were hanging in well.
When the game restarted Kellie Byrne landed a mighty point for Knockananna from a free almost on the ‘65 line. Kellie is a fine striker from the placed ball and this skill went on to play a big part in the outcome as the game progressed.
Within a minute of this score Knockananna put together a good forward passing movement which ended with Sarah Byrne shooting to the net; 1-5 to 0-3 now and there was daylight between the sides.
The final ten minutes of this half proved to be Donard-The Glen’s best period in the game. Grace O’Neill scored her second point; Katie Tyrell landed a great point from midfield and Tyrell added another point from a 45 to reduce the gap to two points at the halftime break.
A couple of misses from frees in that period possibly prevented the sides from being level at the break. Shannagh Goetelan extended her sides’ lead to a goal in the opening minutes of the second half.
Kelly O’Neill responded for Donard-The Glen. Knockananna continued to keep up the pressure but the Donard-The Glen defence, ably led by Lizzie Brophy continued to make life difficult for score getting.
In addition, the number of wides being chalked up wasn’t making life any easier for Knockananna supporters. Kellie Byrne came forward and scored her second long-range free to leave her side ahead by 1-7 to 0-7 at the water break.
Just one score still between them and Donard-The Glen were not gone yet.Within two minutes of restart Rachel Byrne struck a decisive blow which turned the game in favour of Knockananna.
A miss-hit Donard free out came to Rachel who returned the ball goalwards. The dropping ball appeared to deceive Katie Daynes and ended up in the net. With a two-goal cushion Knockananna now finished out the game in a more relaxed manner and added points from Sarah Byrne, Rachel Byrne (free) and two great points from 45 free pucks converted by Kellie Byrne.
This crowned a memorable performance by her.
The only response from DonardThe Glen came from a final Katie Tyrell pointed free. The final score stood at 2-11 to 0-8.
Knockananna regained the title in a decisive manner in the end. There was much jubilation when captain Shannagh Goetelen received the trophy from Leinster Council Chairperson Hilda Breslin.
Macayla Murphy; Alice Mulhall, Kellie Byrne (0-4, 2f, 2 45s), Claire Byrne; Aine Byrne, Emily Hadden, Erin Byrne; Jessie Byrne, Aimee Maher; Laura Hogan (0-1), Rachel Byrne (1-3, 2f), Shannagh Goetelen (0-1) (C); Eimer Mutton, Sarah Byrne (1-2), Dervla Byrne. Subs: Niamh Byrne for Eimer Mutton. Roisin Byrne for Laura Hogan. Niamh Mutton for Claire Byrne.
Katie Daynes; Carmel Whelan, Jenny Tyrell. Amy Barrett; Mollie McCormack, Lizzie Brophy, Casey Kelly; Sive Byrne, Roisin Twomey; Eve Whyte, Aoife Grace, Katie Tyrell (0-5, 2f, 1 45) Samantha Mills, Grace O’Neill (0-2), Kelly O’Neill (0-1). Subs: Chloe Dwyer for Mollie McCormack. Daisy Summer Cullen Dunne for Samantha Mills. Katie Anne O’Neill for Eve Whyte. Emma Hayden for Grace O’Neill.
REFEREE: Robert Roche (Carnew Emmets).
Knockananna’s Emily Hadden, Laura Hogan and Sarah Byrne celebrate their win in Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Sunday evening.
The Donard-The Glen Senior camogie team who were defeated in the county final by Knockananna.
Serge Goetelen, manager Tom Byrne and the Knockananna Senior camogie team after their wonderful victory over Donard-The Glen in the Senior final last weekend.