Clonroche 2-3 Kilanerin 0-2

Clonroche and Kilanerin played out a tough contest in this year’s Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Rackard League Roinn C camogie final as both teams went in search of a slice of history. In the end, three minutes of power play from the Clonroche girls would prove the difference between these two evenly matches teams.

Clonroche began the final in exceptional form and constantly bombarded the Kilanerin goal with attacks. Rebecca Ogilvie in particular was proving hard to manage and she was unlucky to see some of her early efforts drift wide. Some good defending from the diminutive Anna Hughes and the hard working Roisín Hughes just about kept Kilanerin in touch.

Midway through the half, Clonroche got the vital scores that their early pressure deserved. Rebecca Ogilvie got two points, one from play and a free, but goals from Aoife Fleming and Leah Murphy did the real damage. With Elizabeth Dempsey pulling the strings from deep, Kilanerin found it hard to work the ball up the field and create some chances of their own.

Kilanerin did enjoy an extended period of good play in the second half as their midfield of Niamh Murphy, Aisling Fitzpatrick and Roisín Hughes got to grips with the game. Unfortunately this good period yielded no scores and another Rebecca Ogilvie point put nine points between the teams.

Kilanerin to their credit never gave up and were rewarded with some scores late in the game. Saoirse McDonald was unlucky to see her close range effort go over the bar instead of under it and Roisín Hughes saw her hard work rewarded with a well taken point. These were the only chances that a tough and organised Clonroche defence coughed up over the hour.

Clonroche ran out as well deserved winners in the end but Kilanerin will learn much from their first appearance in a Rackard League camogie final. The Clonroche girls now look forward to playing in the top division next year.

Clonroche: Aisling Flood, Aine Doyle, Aoibhinn Cooper, Siobhán Hudson, Elizabeth Dempsey, Shannon Redmond, Erin McDonald, Chloe O’Neill, Rebecca Ogilvie, Aoife Fleming, Leah Murphy, Bridín Quigley, Kate Flood, Kate Earle Long, Alice Murphy, Makayla Flynn

Kilanerin: Amy Noctor, Kiva Kinsella, Emma Kelly, Anna Hughes, Caoimhe Fleming, Aisling Fitzpatrick, Niamh Murphy, Róisín Hughes, Saidhbhe Byrne, Bébhínn McDonald, Róisín McGonigle, Saoirse McDonald, Ella Jones, Edie Byrne, Caoimhe McGonigle, Gemma Bolton, Lucy Buggy, Sophie Molloy, Jasmine O’Donoghue, Ella McCarton, Emma O’Sullivan