Camogie Club Championship coverage proudly sponsored by Clare Credit Unions
*Caoimhe Cahill and Chloe Neylon celebrate for Kilmaley. Photograph: Ruthie Griffin.
KILMALEY are through to a first Clare senior camogie final in twelve years after shocking Scariff/Ogonnelloe.
Kilmaley 0-13
Scariff/Ogonnelloe 1-7
Venue: O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge
By Ann Marie McGann
What’s another year? Well for Kilmaley it has been twelve of them, but at long last, the wait is over and a place in the McMahon Cup Final is just a mere number of days away.
Kilmaley produced an impressive first-half performance to take a two-point lead into the interval against Scariff/Ogonnelloe in this Clare Credit Unions Senior Camogie championship semi-final.
Caoimhe Cahill’s presence in the starting team for the first time in this year’s championship provided the biggest of all boosts for Kilmaley. An inspirational player any day she takes to the field and none more so than in a McMahon Cup semi final. Having suffered a devastating shoulder injury whilst taking to the field for the county flagship team during the earlier part of the year, her return was one that Scariff/Ogonnelloe may not have factored in for inspiration to their opponents.
In a fiercely contested opening half, both sides showed plenty of intensity, with space at a premium and defences working hard to restrict the opposition’s attacking options. Kilmaley opened the game with two frees from Claire McMahon but Scariff/Ogonnelloe would soon find their feet and made their intensions known with opening scores through a number of well-taken points and a goal from Mairead Scanlon and shots on target from Jennifer Daly and Aoife Power, with Scanlon and Daly proving difficult to contain whenever they found space.
Kilmaley continued to threaten, through Claire McMahon, with the Carmody sisters, Grace and Caoimhe, involved in some promising passages of possession for Kilmaley supplying ball to Caoimhe Cahill, McMahon and Regan Conway, with the latter scoring a flurry of frees.
The game became increasingly physical as both teams battled for possession. Kilmaley’s defence was particularly effective, repeatedly forcing Scariff/Ogonnelloe into difficult passes and limiting their opportunities inside the scoring zone.
David Sullivan’s Scariff/Ogonnelloe continued to search for openings. Lorraine Grady’s early goal chance saved by Burke proved costly on the score board. It was the battle of defences with Labhaoise O’ Donnell, Aine Rodgers and Abby Walsh holding things firm for the East Clare side whilst at the other end, Kilmaley’s defensive unit grew in influence. Eimear Considine, Moira Maher and the often-underrated Chloe Neylon were singled out for their contribution, particularly during a period in which Scariff/Ogonelloe were held scoreless for twelve minutes.
Kilmaley finished the half on the front foot and could have been further ahead, but Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s defence stood firm with goalkeeper Rachel Daly saving a Claire McMahon shot. Leading 0-9 1-4, Kilmaley were in a strong position at the interval but the contest remained finely poised.
Kilmaley knew they would have to withstand a strong response from their experienced opponents. Scariff/Ogonelloe opened the second half brightly, with Mairead Scanlon immediately making her presence felt with a well taken point and two frees.
However, it was Kilmaley that responded to the fore, continuing to work hard to deny Scariff/Ogonnelloe clear opportunities. The introduction of Susan Daly who was unable to take the field at the throw in, was a battle to behold. Both her and Caoimhe Cahill were involved in a number of physical contests as Scariff/Ogonnelloe attempted to restrict Kilmaley’s attacking threat.
Cahill was central to Kilmaley’s efforts as she took serious minding and added a point as Kilmaley regained level pegging. At the other end, Scariff/Ogonnelloe continued to search for openings, but Kilmaley’s defensive structure remained difficult to penetrate. Considine picked at every loose ball that came her way and ultimately when it did eventually get passed her, Sinead O’ Keeffe was to the fore.
The intensity increased as the half progressed, with a number of challenges and stoppages adding to the drama. None was more significant than Susan Daly’s yellow card for pulling back Cahill as she had a clear run at goal. Just five minutes later, Daly was involved again, catching Cahill with an accidental flick to the helmet. Having already been booked, Daly was fortunate to escape a second yellow card and Kilmaley could sense it was their time. Both teams made changes in an effort to inject fresh energy, with Kilmaley making good use of their bench in bringing on Shonagh Enright and Emily Cahill as the game moved into the final quarter.
Eimear Considine continued to be hugely influential for Kilmaley. Her work rate, ability to win possession and willingness to drive forward provided Kilmaley with an important outlet when their opponents began to press. She was also involved in one of the key moments of the closing stages, driving forward before supplying an excellent pass to Grace Carmody, who made no mistake in firing over the bar. That score was particularly important, coming with around five minutes remaining and extending Kilmaley’s lead back to two points, where Kate Hayes had already contributed. Scariff/Ogonnelloe now needed something special to force their way back into the contest. They continued to battle with Jennifer Daly, Mairead Scanlon and substitute Danielle Beston working hard to create openings but were unable to capitalise on the board since the forty second minute.
Kilmaley though, were showing considerable composure. Moira Maher produced an important piece of defensive work to win possession and relieve pressure at vital stages, while Claire McMahon stood firmly over a free in the closing minutes, helping Kilmaley push on their advantage to three points.
The final minutes became increasingly frantic. Scariff/Ogonnelloe pushed numbers forward, but Kilmaley’s experienced players remained calm under pressure. With injury time announced, Scariff/Ogonnelloe still had one final opportunity to launch a comeback. Long balls were pumped into the Kilmaley defence, but the backs continued to repel the attacks. Helen McMahon and others worked tirelessly to clear danger, while Kilmaley’s ability to win the breaking ball proved crucial. With three points the deficit Mairead Scanlon stood over a free and it was a case of now or never and went for the juggler only to be cleared to the side by Kilmaley’s defensive unit.
Scariff/Ogonnelloe managed only three points in the second half and were held scoreless for a long period during the closing stages. Kilmaley’s defensive discipline was ultimately decisive as they refused to allow their opponents the second goal they so badly needed.
The second half was dominated by composure. Kilmaley produced a defiant and determined performance to see off the three-time senior county champions and secure their place in the decider. For Scariff/Ogonnelloe, there were flashes of effort and determination, but Kilmaley’s ability to control the game at important junctures, combined with their defensive resilience and greater efficiency in front of goal whether from frees or play, proved decisive.
Kilmaley now advance to the county final after a performance built on defensive organisation, hard work and composure when the pressure was at its greatest.
All photographs by Ruthie Griffin.
Scorers Kilmaley Regan Conway 0-4 (4f), Claire McMahon 0-3 (3f), Grace Carmody, Kate Hayes 0-2 each, Caoimhe Cahill, Caoimhe Carmody 0-1 each
Scorers Scariff/Ogonnelloe: Mairead Scanlon 1-5 (3F), Aoife Power, Jennifer Daly 0-1 each
Kilmaley: Maria Burke, Helen McMahon, Sinead O’Keeffe, Jodie Cahill, Moira Maher, Eimear Considine, Chloe Neylon, Shauna Melican, Martina Keane, Grace Carmody, Reagan Conway, Caoimhe Carmody, Kate Hayes, Claire McMahon, Caoimhe Cahill
Subs: Emily Carmody for M Keane (47), Shauna Enright for C Carmody (51)
Scariff/Ogonnelloe: Rachael Daly, Robyn Mckenna, Holly Mcgee, Bonnie Wiley Murphy, Aine Rodgers, Labhaoise O’Donnell, Abby Walsh, Lynda Daly, Tara Murnane, Lorraine Grady, Aoife Power, Jennifer Daly, Mairead Scanlan, Alva Rodgers, Caoimhe McNulty
Subs: Rachel Minogue for A Rodgers (HT), Susan Daly for T Murnane (HT), Danielle Beston for L O’Donnell (46), Joanna O’Grady for C McNulty (52)
Referee: Kevin Corry (Sixmilebridge)
