A fine Kilmessan performance captured the Senior 1-3 Summer Cup title with a deserved 6-15 to 3-7 final win over Lucan Sarsfield at O'Toole Park. Four first half goals by corner-forward Katie Ní Choileáin did huge damage but Lucan had some outstanding performances from the likes of Laura Murtagh, Amber O'Connor and subs Orlaith Murphy and Emma O'Flynn also impressed.
Kilmessan 6-15 Lucan Sarsfields 3-7
A minute into the game Lucan Sarsfields’ Nicole Fitzgibbon struck for the game’s opening score but the Kilmessan response was swift and two goals from speedy corner forward Katie Ní Choileáin put her side on the road to victory.
The same player completed her hat-trick in the 12th minute before the hard-working Laura Murtagh hit back with a superb point followed by a fine effort from Charlotte Rooney.
But the visitors had some Royal players in the likes of Megan Thynne, Aileen Donnelly and Kelly Gorman and every time they had possession a score looked imminent. The ultimate beneficiary of much of their work was Katie Ní Choileáin who notched her fourth goal in the 17th minute to held her side to a 4-6 to 2-5 lead at the interval.
Victory was sealed early in the second half with excellent points from Kelly Gorman followed by another Kilmessan pair of goals to give them a 6-8 to 2-5 advantage. But Lucan did not give up the fight and Orlaith Murphy and Emma O’Flynn finished to the net in style and Niamh Berry added an excellent point to carve out a respectable finishing tally of 3-7.
Referee Gerry McGough
Photos from the game