After being the queens of Meath for so long and Leinster twice, there were scenes of jubilation and ecstasy at Edenderry last Sunday as Kilmessan camogiers claimed the ultimate club prize which has eluded them for them for so long, an All Ireland Title!

Kilmessan 2-8  Four Roads 1-6

After being the queens of Meath for so long and Leinster twice, there were scenes of jubilation and ecstasy at Edenderry last Sunday as Kilmessan camogiers claimed the ultimate club prize which has eluded them for them for so long, an All Ireland Title!

Kilmessan first reached the Leinster club final way back in 2003 as a surprise packet and were beaten by Drumcullen of Offaly (who were a senior county at the time), it was not until 2010 that they claimed their first Leinster title, appearing in their second final against Cellbridge. They were beaten by Four Roads in the All Ireland semi (who then went on to win the title). Kilmessan reached their third Leinster final in 2012 and after two thrilling matches (both went to extra-time) they were beaten by Myshall of Carlow who again went on to win the title and have dominated this competition until they were promoted to intermediate last year.

The Kilmessan girls have always done really well in the Leinster and All Ireland series and it has taken the best opposition, in most cases the all Ireland champions (for e.g. Harps (Laois), Myshall (Carlow) and Four Roads (Roscommon))  to defeat the girls so it is only fitting that Kilmessan have now matured and stepped up to the plate as All Ireland winners.

The game itself last Sunday was a cracker, although the day itself was lovely with  glorious winter sunshine, the ground underfoot was wet, heavy and sticky but this did not distract from the intensity or skill levels from both sides.

Four Roads got off to the better start and were enjoying a period of dominance with Sinead O' Brien bagging one free and she was giving Kilmessan corner back Noreen Sheridan a difficult time of it in the opening quarter. Kilmessan struck back with an opportunist goal from teenager Megan Thynne who pulled to the net after an Aileen Donnelly free from a tight angle was parried out from the Four Roads keeper. Thynne showing her poaching skills was quickest to react on the edge of the square. Grainne Egan then scored the Roscommon's team first pint from play followed up by two more O' Brien frees to leave them a point up after 20mins gone. Thynne followed up with a point after an excellent Kelly Gorman catch was laid off  to the onrushing Thynne and Donnelly quickly added a great point from play from the left wing after good support play from full forward Katie Ni Choileain. Donnelly got her second point from a 45m free and  Gorman gave Kilmessan a five point lead after she rattled the net with a ferocious shot from 20 yards after Nadine Doyle had done the spade work and gave her the perfect hand pass but O' Brien unerring from placed balls narrowed the gap to 4 points just on stroke of half time to leave the score 2-3 to 0-5.

In the repeat of the opening half O' Brien scored the first point of the second from a free to bring her tally to five points but she wasn't finished as after Donnelly got her third point from a 45m free, O' Brien scored Four Road's goal to bring her tally to 1-5. Kilmessan would have been disappointed with that score as they had created an overlap with Gorman and Thynne running at the defence and a mistimed pass was intercepted which resulted in an excellent series of moves for the Roscommon girls to score their only goal. The gap was now down to the minimum of one point and hearts were beginning to beat alot faster amongst the large crowd of Kilmessan supporters that were present in Edenderry. The team itself did not panic however and after some effective substitutions for Kilmessan, they steadied the ship and Donnelly sent a perfect pass to Thynne in the left  corner who used her blistering pace to round the defender and score a fine point. She could of perhaps kept going for goal but knowing how hard scorers were to get, a point was the safe option. The switch of Donnelly with Frances Lynch proved to be a crucial one as Lynch added another point from play from centre forward, widening the gap back to three and Donnelly used her experience to drop back to sweep around her half back line who were now starting to dominate with team captain Ailbhe lynch in particular shining, winning numerous frees to ease pressure of her line. The last two scores of the match came from full forward Katie Ni Choileain and her cousin Megan from a left half forward position. Four roads despite piling on plenty of pressure could not manage to score again and ultimately they were far too dependent on the excellent O' Brien. Kilmessan overall played the better camogie and with six scorers from play were arguably the more well rounded outfit.

After the final whistle, the Kilmessan girls were swarmed as what seemed like  the whole parish descended onto the now bog like Edenderry pitch. The welcome home reception that evening for the girls was a very special one and one they will never forget. After years of trying to reach the promised land, the girls of Kilmessan have finally done it and put on an excellent performance in doing so. Kilmessan Camogie Club would like to thank the manager John Watters for all his hard work and dedication since taking over as team coach and manager in 2008 and we hope he will not be retiring anytime soon.

We would also like to thank his backroom staff of Ann Gorman, Ann McLoughlin, Catherine Ni Choileain and "the apprentice" Conor Gorman. We would like to thank our main sponsor Gary Costello of Centra who always has us looking so well and our other sponsor Fergie Maguire. Last of all we would like to thank our families, friends and all the people of Kilmessan who have not only supported us this year but every year, the post match scenes in  Edenderry will not be forgotten by anyone who was present on the day.
Go raibh mile maith agat!!

All Ireland winning Kilmessan team and scorers:  Aisling Carroll, Noreen Sheridan, Caoimhe O'Leary, Michelle Horan, Maeve O'Leary, Ailbhe Lynch, Tracy King, Frances Lynch (0-1), Stephanie Horan, Nadine  Doyle, Aileen Donnelly (0-3, 0-2 45m), Megan Ni Choileain (0-1), Kelly Gorman (1-0), Katie Ni Choileain (0-1), Megan Thynne (1-2)

Subs: Sarah Ross for Kelly Gorman, Laura Irwin for Nadine Doyle, Ashling Mc Loughlin for Katie Ni Choileain, Joelle Smyth, Emma Fitzgerald, Denise Fitzgerald, Ann Gorman, Breda Dennehy, Tara Murphy, Christine Grimes, Orla Doyle, Hilary King, Kyrstelle Clynch, Mary Ellen Sheridan, Shaunna Curtis.

Upcoming Fixtures:
Meath Camogie Div 1 Final: Kilmessan v Dunboyne Thurs 27th Nov in Dunganny @ 7.30pm
Meath U-18 Camogie Championship 1/4 final: Kilmessan v Drumree Sat 29th Nov in Kilmessan @ 11am.

 

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