Report

Dublin v Kilkenny

Kilkenny 2-9  Dublin 2-8

Its not often in recent years that the Dublin senior camogie team should have beaten Kilkenny but this was one such game.  But to balance that the team is well aware that unless you take your chances then there is a great danger that victory will elude on such days.

When the analysis is done some of the stats that will be mulled over are 13 wides some from placed balls; the concession of a very soft second goal and the lack of a more clinical edge on a few occasions that would have secured possession or ended with a decisive score.

Those are the negatives but there were huge positives also.  Ten points down with four minutes to go the break, Dublin's fightback started and from there to the finish they outscored Kilkenny by 2-7 to 0-4.  In the entire second half, the visitors could only score once from play and never threatened a goal a testiment to a wonderful defensive performance with debutante Emma Whyte starring and holding the talented Aoife Neary scoreless from play. 

Some of Dublin's play was outstanding particularly in a super four minutes spell before half-time.  Louise O'Hara was central to much of this recovery.  An Ali Maguire pointed 45 was Dublin's first score in 23 minutes in the 26th minute.  This was followed by a superb cross field pass by Louise O'Hara to Amy Murphy who pointed.  Another O'Hara missile found Ciara Burgess in the 29th minute and the Raheny girl raised Dublin's fourth white flag.  Dublin weren't finished and once again from the same clubhouse side of O'Toole Park, Louise O'Hara picked out Amy Murphy whose rasper shook the net.  The large crowd gave Dublin a rousing half-time reception with the score at 2-5 for Kilkenny 1-4 for Dublin.

The margin might have been less had Dublin been a little more clinical in the first 5 minutes when they had 3 or 4 chances of points but all they could muster was an Amy Murphy score in the 3rd minute.  For the next 23 minutes Kilkenny enjoyed the upperhand.  Three Aoife Neary dead balls put them in front before Katie Power cut in for a Kilkenny goal. 

The great hearted Tara Corrigan had to retire injured shortly afterwards and from thereon Gráinne Quinn a tight watch on Katie Power (a cousin of Dublin player Fiona Hayes) limiting her to one point.  A second Kilkenny goal by Siobhan Hyland saw them open a 2-5 to 0-1 lead by the 24th minute.  A goal that came about when Dublin lost possession going forward and compounded this error by indecision in the small box to allow Kilkenny in for a very soft goal.

Dublin had the aid of the breeze in the second half but conceded an early free to Aoife Neary when the home side turned over possession rather easily at the other end.  But a superb free from Ali Maguire now operating at centre back gave the home fans something to cheer about.  Four minutes later Muireann O'Gorman cut the gap to a goal with a pointed free. 

Dublin's confidence was growing and the half back line of Emma Whyte, Ali Maguire and Fiona Hayes were outstanding.  On the occasions when Kilkenny breached that line Catriona Power stood in the way on more than one occasion ably supported by Gráinne Quinn and Elaine O'Meara.

Aoife Neary's fifth pointed placed ball put Kilkenny four clear in the 41st minute as Dublin introduced Aoife Kelly and Miriam Twomey.  Louise O'Hara was doing all she could to lead the charge and when her dipping shot nipped under the cross-bar, the O'Toole throng were in full voice. 

One sensed that if Dublin could draw level or take the lead then they might just be able to drive on from there.  As luck would have it, Aoife Neary notched another free to settle her side.  A minute later Louise O'Hara fired over a great point but Colette Dormer showed great leadership for Kilkenny to strike their only score from play in the second half.

Dublin came in search of the winner.  However with a bit more composure the scores might have come.  Ali Maguire put over a difficult free but the Kilkenny defence also had stars in the likes of Nicola Butler, Catherine Doherty and sub Grace Walsh and despite three minutes of added time, the clock ran out on a great Dublin performance.

It was a game that will have given Dublin a huge amount to build on especially as this Kilkenny side ran All-Ireland champions Wexford to a single point last time out.  Next up is Offaly on Sunday 15 April in Offaly.

Website Player of the Match:  Emma Whyte

Helen Cosgrave, Catriona Power, Tara Corrigan, Elaine O’Meara, Emma Whyte, Gráinne Quinn, Fiona Hayes, Ciara Burgess (0-1), Alison Maguire (0-3), Muireann O’Gorman (0-1), Amy Murphy (1-2), Louise O’Hara (1-1), Ciara Berkeley, Sarah Ryan, Alison Twomey.

Subs: Eimear McCarthy, Aoife Kelly, Miriam Twomey, Aisling Carolan, Aisling Carolan

17. Arlene Cushen (Na Fianna)
18. Aoife Bugler (St. Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)
20. Ciara O'Leary (Naomh Uinsionn)
21. Clodagh Bolger (Skerries Harps)
23. Hannah McInerney (Na Fianna)
24. Kate McCarry (Naomh Uinsionn)
25. Laura Twomey (Naomh Mearnóg)
26. Lizzie McSweeney (St. Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)
27. Mairi Moynihan (Lucan Sarsfields)28
29. Orlaith Durkan (Skerries Harps)

Referee Alan Lagrue (Kildare)

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