Munster Junior Camogie Club Semi-final – Clonakilty (Cork) vs. Kilkishen (Clare)

Munster Junior Camogie Club Semi-final

Clonakilty (Cork) 3-04 Kilkishen (Clare) 0-07

The home side opened this game brightly as they had two points on the board inside the opening five minutes as the visitors took their time in settling. They were well and truly brought back into the game though by the seventh minute as they made good advantage of the swirling wind that was present. the full forward line pulled the Kilkishen back line out from goal and when a long ball from Clare O’Mahony dropped in over their heads Sharon Weldon was fastest to react and breaking on to the ball left Claire Baker, in the Kilkishen goal, with no chance when crashing the ball to the net. This score was against the run of play at the time but settled the visitors and they were to come more and more into the game.

Conditions were very poor for both sides with swirling driving wind and rain which had earlier left much surface water on the field. Clonakilty were gaining the upper hand around the middle of the field and were piling on the pressure making life very difficult for the Kilkishen backs. They Clonakilty plan of leaving room for the full forward line certainly paid off as Baker was getting more than her share of work in the Kilkishen goal and was lucky to kick a ball out over the line for a ’45 this was pulled just wide however by Welton. Kilkishen had a poor wide of their own from in front of the goal when a free on the 21 was pulled wide by the swirling wind. Baker was again called on in the Kilkishen goal to come of the line and after batting down the ball the pacey Clonakilty forwards were on hand and Marie O’Donovan scooped the ball to the net. This gave Clonakilty some comfort as scores were hard to come by in the conditions. Sharon Welton added a point for the visitors. They well on their way by the 24th minute when a shot for a point from Sharon Welton hit the top of the upright and bounced back into the path of Hannah Coughlan who pounced for her goal, to have all of the full forward line on the board. this had the visitors 3-01 to 0-02 ahead at the break.

Welton had the lead increased on the resumption with a point on the board. Kilkishen fought bravely though and began to pick their way back with a pointed free from Kate Lynch and two from play from Elaine Hannon introduced at half time and Marie Collins with a fine point from the corner. Hannah Coughlan had one back for Clonakilty though on a rare attack in the second half. This as a result of Kilkishen dominance in this period. but however much possession they had they were not able to break down the Clonakilty defense and never looked at grabbing that goal which would really have brought the game alive. Junnita Brennan dropped into the back line and acting as sweeper never let play develop with Clare O’Mahony outside her a towering force. Kate Lynch had a second free for Kilkishen and Marie Collins added another from play but Sharon Welton had the last score of the game with a point from play.

Clonakilty were winners on the day where the weather spoiled the game as a spectacle but it was a tough encounter which was hard fought to the very end.

Clonakilty now go on to play St. Ann’s Dunhill of Waterford in the Munster Junior Club Final on Saturday next in Mallow.

Clonakilty: Aoife Deasy, Nicola O’Donovan, Sinead O’Brien, Susan Forristal, Aileen Kearns, Clare O’Mahony, Lisa O’Flynn, Hazel O’Regan, Cliodna O’Regan, Sinead O’Neill, Erica Jennings, Juanita Brennan, Hannah Coughlan(1-1), Marie O’Donovan(1-00), Sharon Whelton(1-03). Sub Ciara Nagle for C O’Regan(inj)

Kilkishen: Claire Baker, Michelle Moroney, Nollaig Baker, Marie Nash, Sorcha Loughnane, Kate Lynch(2frs), Cushla Hehir, Monica Moroney, Lisa Loughnane, Sarah Donnellan(1fr), Caroline Sheedy, Claire McGrath, Noelle McNamara, Nora Murphy, Marie Collins(0-3). Subs: Elaine Hannon(0-1) for C McGrath, Ciara Ryan for C Sheedy, Laura McNamara for N McNamara

Ref: Donal Leahy, Tipperary

Player of the game: Clare O’Mahony