Camogie: Kilmessan reach Leinster Final

October 14, 2014

Kilmessan celebrate.

Leinster junior club camogie semi final 

Half time score: Kilmessan 1-6 Johnstownbridge 0-8
Full time score: Kilmessan 3-9 Johnstownbridge 0-9

For the third consecutive year these two sides were meeting in the Leinster semi final, Kilmessan won in 2012, Johnstown won last year, so it was all up for grabs last Sat, and it was the away side who got off to a better start making their presence felt in the opening minutes with their physicality and strong running from their half forward line with centre forward, former Wexford senior Louise Codd scoring the opening point from play. This was quickly followed by a Siobhan Hurley free. Kilmessan struggled in the opening quarter to get a hold of the ball in the middle sector but when they did get the ball into their full forward line, they looked lethal and this was rewarded with a Kelly Gorman goal after she collected a low pass and left her player for dead burying low to the right corner. That score should have settled Kilmessan but it was JTB who responded better adding two more points from play. The turning point of the half and perhaps the whole match happened in the 20min when Codd latched onto a fine Hurley pass and broke through on goal only to see her powerful shot denied by an excellent Ashling Carroll save in the Kilmessan goal. The save ignited Kilmessan and with Caoimhe O'Leary and Tracy King starting to shine in defence, Kilmessan upped the tempo and started to show their strengths of strong attacking running with the left wing in particular of Megan Ni Choileain and Megan Thynne on fire drawing frees from their markers who were unable to handle their pace. Two Kelly Gorman points, along with one from Megan Ni Choileain and Katie Ni Choileain and an Aileen Donnelly free were Kilmessan's remaining scores in the opening half whilst Johnstown added a further two points from play and two Hurley frees.

In the second half Kilmessan became a different team,  gone were the nerves of the opening quarter and the battle commenced, the Kilmessan defence were outstanding restricting JTB to only one point from play as time and time again when Johnstown attacked, they were faced with a swarm of Kilmessan players.  O'Leary at full back a colossus, giving an undisputed player if the match performance however she was ably supported by Michelle Horan and Noreen Sheridan at corner back. The Kilmessan attack became more expressive and JTB could not handle their movement and pace. Kilmessan added a further 1-2 from play with Gorman bagging her second goal after a Thynne shot was rebounded and followed that with a point, along with a point from play from Nadine Doyle. Donnelly also added 1-1 from frees.

Down by 9 points JTB had to push forward in search of goals and it was backs to walls for Kilmessan for the final 5 mins however with last years defeat in the back of their minds, Kilmessan were not going to let this one slip and they were willing to put bodies on the line to keep JTB out.
Kilmessan ran out winners by the three goal margin and will now face the Wicklow champs Donard/Glen in the Leinster final in two weeks time.

Kilmessan team and scorers: A. Carroll, M. Horan, C. O'Leary, N. Sheridan, T. King, A. Lynch, M. O'Leary, S. Horan, F. Lynch, M. Ni Choileain 0-1, A. Donnelly 1-2, N. Doyle 0-1, K. Gorman 2-3, K. Ni Choileain 0-1, M. Thynne 0-1
subs: L. Irwin for N. Doyle, S. Ross for S. Horan

Meath u-18 Camogie Championship played @ Baconstown Sun 12th Oct

Half time score: Kilmessan 4-2 Na Fianna 0-0
Full time score: Kilmessan 7-6 Na Fianna 1-1

Showing no ill effects of her excellent performance in the Leinster semi final the previous day, full forward Kelly Gorman bagged 4-1 in Kilmessan's opening minor match. Aine Brady added two goals along with Lauren Gorman (1goal) with points coming from Megan Thynne, Niamh Costello, Hilary King 0-1 each and Nadine Doyle 0-2(0-1f). Emma Coffey got Na Fianna's only scores of 1-1 from placed balls.

Kilmessan team: A. Duffy, C. Bolger, J. Smyth, K. Farrell, L. O'Neill, K. Clynch, N. Costello, M. Thynne, H. King, N. Doyle, L. Gorman, A. Brady, K. Gorman
 


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