POWERFUL STUFF
Kavanagh’s side prove too strong for brave Annacurra
AN emerging Kiltegan side, brimfull of skilful young camogie players, had a comprehensive victory over Annacurra in the final of the Intermediate camogie championship played at Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Sunday last.
In ideal sunny conditions on a good hurling sod, the Kiltegan girls got into their stride at top speed straight from the throw in. Anne Marie Doran had their first score after three minutes and ciotóg midfielder Sophie Bermingham quickly added three points from frees. Bermingham has a wonderful, comfortable stroke off her left hand and looked a class apart, even in these early minutes.
Sarah Jane Winder got the first goal on ten minutes and another point from Anne Marie Doran left the Western side leading by 1-5 at the water break.
The Annacurra team must have felt they had been hit by a tsunami at this stage but they were now trying to battle back. Sarah Lifely, Niamh Shannon, Emily Rose Byrne, Hannah Doyle and Aisling Shannon tried their utmost to make progress but were up against a Kiltegan defence where centre back Selina Byrne, Emma Byrne and Sarah Jane winder were almost impassable.
The Annacurra last line of defence Aisling Quigley, Eimear Gregory and Nadine Fitzgerald were under severe pressure from the beginning and with goalkeeper Kali Thompson battled hard to stem the tide flowing against them.
When they lost Eimear Gregory
to injury it led to a rearranging of their defence but no loss in their commitment. However, scores provide the oxygen to keep a team moving and Annacurra should be admired for the manner in which they continued to fight on.
Kiltegan had increased their lead to 2-11 by half-time with further points from Faye Corrigan (2), Anne Marie Doran (2), a goal and a point from Fiona Hobson and another Sophie Bermingham score.
Nicole Quigley pointed for Annacurra at the opening of the sec
ond period but Kiltegan continued to drive on from here to the end, adding a further 2-7 to finish winners on a final score of 4-18 to 0-1.
Kiltegan now enter Senior ranks and with a number of skilful players emerging they are likely to hold their own in a year or two. We will hear more of players like Emma Byrne, Sophie Bermingham, Faye Corrigan, Anne Marie Doran et al in the future.
Annacurra will be disappointed but they should remember, like Van Morrisson sang, ‘There’ll be days like this’. They were beaten by a fine team, they will recover and set sail again when the disappointment wears off.
The trophy was presented to winning captain Tania Wynne by Co. Camogie treasurer Fionnuala Tyrell.
A minute’s silence was observed before the game as a mark of respect for the late Sue Moloney who died in Mitchelstown, Co Cork last week. Sue was a member of the Lacey family of Killacloran and gave wonderful service to the Annacurra camogie club in yesteryear, before moving to Cork. KILTEGAN: Tania Wynne (Capt); Moya Cremin, Michelle Farrell, Ciara Boland; Emma Byrne, Selina Byrne, Sarah Jane Winder 1-0; Hope Tallon, Sophie Bermingham 1-8; Sarah Byrne, Evelyn Deans, Faye Corrigan 0-3; Anne Marie Doran 1-6, Fiona Hobson 1-1, Andrea Byrne. Subs: Jackie Byrne, Elisha Ryan, Lynne Fenton, Amber House, Noleen Fleming.
Kalie Thompson; Aisling Quigley, Eimear Gregory, Nadine Fitzgerald; Cara Robinson, Sara Lifely Capt. Grace O’Sullivan; Emily Rose Byrne, Niamh Shannon; Aisling Shannon, Emma Doyle, Hannah Doyle; Nicole Quigley 0-1, Jamie O’Neill, Jade Shannon. Subs: Halle Barnes, Alison Moules, Ellen Walsh, Sarah O’Neill, Leah Geraghty.
REFEREE: Pat Hickey (AGB).,