Kilmacud Crokes 2-5  Faughs Celtic 0-10

For more than a few years, Mick and  Anne Noctor have been the driving force behind adult camogie in Kilmacud Crokes.  Between them they manage the club's two adult teams.  Over that period championship honours had eluded them until now.  Capping a memorable day was an outstanding display from their daughter Rachel at centre back and the team's best supporter Hannah, Rachel's sister was there to share in the celebrations.

This was a cracking game from start to finish and a draw looked a very real prospect. But with the sides level, Crokes showed tremendous nerve and skill to put together a move in the 59th minute to place Julia Buckley. Facing into the breeze and under severe pressure, she pulled the trigger and sent over a wonderful point from 35m.

There was still work to be done and none better than Rachel Noctor whose superb block prevented Faughs Celtic from grabbing the equaliser.  

Aided by the breeze, Crokes raced into a 1-2 to nil lead after 11 minutes - a super point from close to the sideline from the very classy Anneka Kilroy, followed by a clinical finish to the net by Julia Buckley and a pointed free by captain Sorcha Meagher.

But Faughs didn't panic - they had after all beaten Crokes by 10 points in the league.  For the remainder of the half, they upped their game and with the excellent Catherine Costelloe leading from the centre forward position, they began to dominate.  Catherine Costelloe pointed three frees allied to a great score from play from captain Georgina Kelly to just a single free from Sorcha Meagher from Crokes leaving the Kilmacud girls just 1-3 to 0-4 in front at the break.

Given the breeze, two points did not look like a sufficient margin.

Eight minutes after the restart, Catherine Costelloe had brought her tally to four points with her first score from play.  But Crokes received a huge boost when the hard-working Anneka Kilroy drove forward in the 41st minute - her attempt looked like heading over the bar but at the last minute, the legs gave out and it nipped under the bar.  Playing into the breeze - a three pointer at that stage was a massive lift.  They now led by 2-3 to 0-5.

But Faughs responded in style.  Catherine Costelloe was back immediately with a pointed free - only to see her effort cancelled by a similar score from Sorcha Meagher who put in a great second half shilft.  Faughs however stuck at their task and two more placed balls from Catherine Costelloe followed by two outstanding points from play from Frances McCann and Kate Holland levelled the game in the 55th minute to the delight of the large Faughs following.  

The momentum seemed to be with the Tymon Park girls but Crokes held their nerve and the likes of Clodagh McGough, Aine Donohoe and excellent 'keeper Midh Ni Chonchubair shone when needed.

Player of the match: Rachel Noctor

Referee: Paul Beecher

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