Meath Senior Camogie Championship Final played @ Rathmolyon Sun 28th Sept
Half time score: Kilmessan 2-7 Dunboyne 0-3
Full time score: Kilmessan 3-17 Dunboyne 0-5
Kilmessan senior camogiers claimed their 6th title in a row last Sunday evening against a spirited Dunboyne side.
Amazingly this was Kilmessan's 18 consecutive final appearance (first in 1997), having lost the first four against Trim, they won their first in 2001 against Killyon before making it 3 in a row with wins over Trim in 02 and 03. They lost to Killyon in 04 before claiming their 2nd 3 in a row with wins over Trim in 05, Killyon in 06 and Trim in 07. They suffered a surprise defeat to Blackhall Gaels in 2008 but from then on they have dominated the Meath scene with 6 in a row from 2009. Much credit must go to manager John Watters who took over the helm in 2008. Only 2 Kilmessan players have appeared in all 18 finals, Frances Lynch and Aileen Donnelly who both now have 12 senior championship medals.
Despite a 21 point winning margin, Kilmessan got off to a nervy start, this was owed much to Dunboyne's intense pressure in the opening quarter where they tried to swarm any Kilmessan player in possession and crowd out the Kilmessan attack by dropping 2 sweepers back behind the Kilmessan half forward line. However once Kilmessan opened the scoring with a pointed free from Aileen Donnelly followed by points from Katie Ni Choileain and Megan Thynne, they settled and began creating chances. Thynne, Kilmessan's 16year old corner forward was starting to show her potential with her piercing runs and after she picked up a loose ball 30 yards out on the left flank she quickly shook off two Dunboyne defenders before striking a low shot to the bottom right corner giving the Dunboyne keeper Hannah Bowman no chance for Kilmessan's opening goal. Dunboyne responded with three pointed frees from Sinead Hackett however Kilmessan scored their second goal through the other Megan (Ni Choileain) whose pace again proved to hot for Dunboyne to handle as she flew in from the left side to shoot from 10m again giving Bowman no chance. Kilmessan went in with a 10 point lead at half time, the other points coming from Donnelly (0-2, 0-1f), Katie Ni Choileain and Kelly Gorman.
Not overly happy with their first half performance, Kilmessan came out an improved side in the second half and started to enforce their running game with better effect, they quickly scored their 3rd goal through Katie Ni Choileain after excellent link up play from Thynne and Donnelly.
While the forwards where now on top in all positions the Kilmessan defence were starting to shine with Caoimhe O'Leary at full back a rock in defence along with the excellent half back line trio of Maeve O'Leary, captain Ailbhe Lynch and Tracy King. Stephanie Horan's workhorse like effort from midfield was also evident as time and time again she provided quality ball to her forwards. Donnelly (0-3) and Katie Ni Choileain (0-2) added further points from play along with Gorman and Thynne who added their second each. Dunboyne only managed 2 points in the second half such was Kilmessan's defensive dominance and only one of those came from play, an excellent score on the run from half forward Aishling Garvey. Dunboyne although undoubtedly disappointed will take heart from the fact they made it back to a senior final after 25 years and with all the talented young players they have, they will have much to offer in the future. Best for them in a battling display was corner back Maeve Clince, mid-fielder Chloe Coyne, half forward Aishling Garvey and county stars Sinead Hackett and Fiona O'Neill who played roaming roles throughout.
Best for Kilmessan were player of the match Megan Thynne, full forward Katie Ni Choileain who top scored from play with 1-4, half forward Megan Ni Choileain, full back Caoimhe O'Leary and the aforementioned half back line.
Well done to Kilmessan, the chicks with 6!!!!
Kilmessan team and scorers: A. Carroll, N. Sheridan, C. O'Leary, E. Fitzgerald, M. O'Leary, A. Lynch (capt), T. King, S. Horan, F. Lynch, M. Ni Choileain (1-0), A. Donnelly (0-9, 0-4f), N. Doyle, K. Gorman (0-2), K. Ni Choileain (1-4), M. Thynne (1-2)
Subs: J. Smyth for N. Sheridan, L. Irwin for F. Lynch, O. Doyle for M. Thynne, A. Gorman for A. Donnelly, S. Ross for K. Gorman, H. King, K. Clynch, C. Grimes, D. Fitzgerald, ME Sheridan, M. Horan, A. Mc Loughlin, T. Murphy, B. Dennehy
Kilmessan will meet Lough Lene Gaels (Westmeath) this sat 4th Oct in Kilmessan @2.30pm in Leinster Junior Quarter Final.
Tweet