Champions Piltown march past St Brigid's and into Kilkenny Senior Camogie Final

A strong performance saw reigning champions Piltown get back into the county senior camogie final after beating St Brigid’s in Thomastown on Saturday.

Ellen O’Keeffe opened the scoring for Piltown with a point from play in the first minute. Kellyann Doyle converted a pointed free for the Southerners, before Tara Cody scored St Brigid’s first point from a placed ball.

Kellyann Doyle slotted over another free for Piltown after Sophie Holden was fouled. Ellen O’Keeffe added her second point for the defending champions two minutes later.

Lauren Ronan tacked on a free for St Brigid’s before Kellyann Doyle added another point for Piltown from a placed ball.

Piltown took a big step forward when, in the 19th minute, they were awarded a penalty after Katie Power was fouled in the square after fielding the sliotar. Piltown goalkeeper Aoife Norris made the long trek upfield to take the strike and made the trip worthwhile, drilling a low shot under her opposite number and into the back of the net.

Brigid’s hit back and grabbed the next three points through Tara Cody (free), Claire Doheny and Molly Conroy to take the sting out of conceding that major score, but Piltown retaliated and goaled again with 26 minutes on the clock. When the sliotar was played onto Laoise McKenna, she pulled the trigger - the net shook again.

Heading towards half-time Piltown’s Heather Phelan got her name on the scoresheet with a lovely point from play to leave the score 2-6 to 0-5 in favour of Piltown.

Within 40 seconds of the restart, Piltown were in for their third goal, this one coming from the hard-working Sophie Holden. This put Piltown 10 points ahead.

Tara Cody then converted two frees for St Brigid’s, but Heather Phelan and Katie Power replied with points from play for Piltown. Laoise McKenna scored a point from play for Piltown before Kellyann Doyle slotted a further two pointed frees for the southerners.

The sides continued to trade scores, Lauren Ronan (free) and Katie Power swapping points. Leah Brett and Claire Doheny tacked on a point each for St Brigid’s, but the gap was still a constant.

Patsy Kenny finished the scoring with a fine point for Piltown, who now head to the senior county final against Dicksboro in a fortnight’s time.

Teams and Scorers

Piltown – Kellyann Doyle (0-5, frees); Laoise McKenna (1-1); Aoife Norris (1-0, pen); Sophie Holden (1-0); Ellen O’Keeffe, Katie Power, Heather Phelan (0-2 each); Patsy Kenny (0-1).

St Brigid’s – Tara Cody (0-4, frees); Lauren Ronan (0-2, frees); Claire Doheny (0-2); Molly Conroy, Leah Brett (0-1 each).

Piltown - Aoife Norris; Lorraine Long, Alanna Gallagher, Jenni O’Dea; Karen Duggan, Laura Norris, Alice Talbot; Aoife Landers, Lorna O’Shea; Ellen O’Keeffe, Kellyann Doyle, Laoise McKenna; Katie Power (captain), Heather Phelan, Sophie Holden.

Subs: Patsy Kenny for Heather Phelan, Danielle Carroll for Laura Norris, Leah Cooney for Karen Duggan, Niamh Culleton for Ellen O’Keeffe, Heather Phelan for Jenni O’Dea (inj).

St Brigid’s - Miriam Walton; Roisin Foley, Moya O’Brien, Ava Brett; Kate McCluskey, Edwina Keane, Chloe Teehan; Katie Purcell, Tara Ronan; Tara Cody, Reece Delaney, Lauren Ronan; Molly Conroy, Claire Doheny, Leah Brett.

Subs: Katie Brennan for Recce Delaney, Ruth Purcell for Kate McCluskey (inj), Lauren East for Tara Cody, Siobhan Kenny for Kate Purcell.

Referee - Liz Dempsey (Thomastown).