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Heartache as late point downs courageous Cats
Michael O'Leary
Wexford 1-7
Kilkenny 1-6
WHAT a dramatic finish! The Kilkenny camogie girls have made a habit of producing late drama these times, and it was no different on Saturday in Semple Stadium, Thurles in the senior league final.
However, Kilkenny came out on the wrong side this time as Wexford showed great character to recover from conceding an injury-time goal from Marie Dargan.
A low scoring game saw Kilkenny lead by 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval, after Wexford shot seven wides. A Kate Kelly goal 30 seconds into the new half gave the Slaneysiders the perfect tonic, but Kilkenny refused to yield and they responded with a point from Aoife Neary following a superbly worked movement involving Elaine Aylward, Marie Dargan and Shelley Farrell (1-3 to 0-5).
The period from the 32nd to the 47th minutes remained scoreless as both sides enjoyed periods of possession without transferring it onto the scoreboard. Points from a Kate Kelly free and match-winning heroine Ursula Jacob in the 47th and 49th minutes stretched the victors lead.
The Cats kept plugging away. Aoife Neary pointed a free in the 52nd minute to narrow the gap before the two times All-Star missed a goal chance in the 57th minute after good work by Katie Power and Michelle Quilty.
A substantial amount of injury-time was added on for the numerous stoppages. Eight minutes of additional time were added but at least another two could have been played. Kilkenny appeared to have snatched a late victory again.
Katie Power’s goal attempt from an acute angle by the endline was brilliantly deflected by Wexford netminder, Mags Darcy at the expense of a 45. Aoife Neary’s attempt was dropped on the edge of the square and a goalmouth scramble involving Katie Power and Collette Dormer saw the faintest of touches by Marie Dargan squeeze the ball over the line (1-6 to 1-5).
However, credit to Wexford. They responded immediately with a superb point from team captain Una Leacy. A replay looked on the cards as the heroic Kilkenny defence kept Wexford at bay.
That was until super-sub Ursula Jacob stepped up and struck over the winning point. While there was heartache because they lost, Kilkenny can take plenty of heart from an excellent league campaign during which they made huge progress. The attention now switches to the O’Duffy Cup campaign which begins on July 12.
This was a gallant effort from Kilkenny. The defensive sextet, just like Wexford’s, was generally dominant.
Catherine Doherty gave a majestic display at full-back. She is a real unsung hero and produces consistently good performances.
Jacqui Frisby confirmed her status as possibly the best corner-back in the game by producing another mesmerizing display. The Mullinavat trio of Amy Butler, Leanne Fennelly and Elaine Aylward performed powerfully.
Marie Dargan covered more ground than any other player and performed superbly while Katie Power was a constant threat despite mostly operating at centre-forward.
Scorers: Wexford - Kate Kelly (1-3, points frees); Ursula Jacob (0-2); Una Leacy, Caroline Murphy (0-1 each). Kilkenny - Marie Dargan (1-1); Aoife Neary (0-3, two frees); Anne Dalton (0-1, free); Denise Gaule (0-1).
Kilkenny – Catriona Ryan (Tullgoher), Amy Butler (Mullinavat), Catherine Doherty (St Anne’s), Jacqui Frisby (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Kate McDonald (Thomastown), Leanne Fennelly (Mullinavat), Elaine Aylward (Mullinavat), Keeva Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Denise Gaule (Windgap), Anne Dalton, capt (St Lachtain’s), Katie Power (Piltown), Marie Dargan (St Martin’s), Michelle Quilty (Mullinavat), Deirdre Delaney (St Lachtain’s), Aoife Neary (James Stephens). Subs - Anna Farrell (Thomastown) for K. Fennelly 22 min; Shelley Farrell (Thomastown) for Delaney ht; Edwina Keane (St Martin’s) for Gaule 46 min; Collette Dormer (Paulstown) for Quilty 58 min.
Wexford - Mags Darcy, Claire O’Connor, Catherine O’Loughlin, Karen Atkinson, Noeleen Lambert, Mary Leacy, Deirdre Codd, Josie Dwyer, Caroline Murphy, Kariona Parrock, Michelle O’Leary, Kate Kelly, Fiona Kavanagh, Una Leacy, Lenny Holohan. Sub - Ursula Jacob.
Referee - Alan Lagrue (Kildare).
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Weather for Kilkenny
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
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