Horeswood 1-10 Kilmore 1-2

It could have been a case of mistaken identity in Wexford Park last Thursday, when two traditional girls’ football strongholds battled it out in a very competitive Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Rackard League Roinn C Camogie final. Over the course of the hour, they battled it out to take the camogie prize for the first time and the level of skill, determination and teamplay took away any doubt that two of the best camogie teams in the county were in the final.

Horeswood started the stronger and with the slight breeze they created many early chances but a Kilmore defence lead by Lauren Power and Olivia McDonnell firmly kept them at bay. In the seventh minute, Roisín Parker put over a long range free for the game’s first score but this lead was quickly cancelled out when Kilmore’s Mollie Bates set up Amy Cousins for a good score.

Horeswood then upped their intensity and went into the lead with another Roisín Parker free and good score from Elena Kenny. The half finished in excitement with goal chances at both ends of the field until Kilmore finally registered when Amy Cousins blasted in from close range. Hannah Foley did some great work to set up this goal, after she chased and kept a loose ball in play to create the chance. Leanna Rowe found time to respond with a point for her team to bring the scores level going into half time.

In the second half, Horeswood once again started well and it wasn’t long before they opened up a four point lead through two Roisín Parker frees and one apiece for Michelle Kinsella and Leanna Rowe. The damage could have been worst had Lauren Power not made a goal line clearance to keep her team in the race.

The decisive goal came in the 14^th minute when Michelle Kinsella saw her long effort drift into the back of the net. Kilmore did not enjoy such luck however, despite Hannah Foley twice coming close to getting the goal her team deserved. Horeswood captain Roisín Parker and fellow defender Katie Kehoe seemed to be everywhere as Kilmore pushed harder but time and time again they both arrived to clear the ball from danger.

With the hot conditions and a heavy running game, it was expected that Horeswood would tire in the final ten minutes but impressively they continued to play at full throttle and this was rewarded with another point from a Róisín Parker free and a cherry-on-top score from Michelle Kinsella to finish a very good and enjoyable game.  

Horeswood: Kate Foley, Katie Kehoe, Róisín Parker, Sinéad Clancy, Emer Hunt, Michelle Kinsella, Elena Kenny, Ciaran Corish, Leanne Rowe, Jade Cleere, Eadaoin Kent, Kathryn Dempsey, Shauna Furlong, Hazel Cooney, Niamh Lyng, Lydia McGrath, Amy Cummins, Amy Ennis, Annie-Rose Lyng, Ciara Walsh, Hannah Chapman

Kilmore: Ellie Roche, Amy Cassidy, Anna Bates, Lauren Power, Olivia McDonnell, Amy Cousins, Mollie Bates, Sophie Boxwell, Grace Cousins, Kate O’Reilly, Hannah Foley, Aimee McDonnell, Megan Doyle, Ellen Berry, Amy Mulligan, Lorraine Power, Joely Doyle, Hannah White, Abby Wall, Alice Mulligan, Nel Bates, Leanne Raftery, Rebecca Kirwan, Maeve Byrne, Anna Furlong, Sharon Roche, Ailbhe Tiernan