Munster Junior Camogie Success for KCS Girls
Kinsale Community School v St Mary’s Newport
Monday 23rd January 2023 @12pm
Fulltime score ended KCS 2-13, Newport 2-07
Kinsale Community School Junior Camogie team took to the field in Charleville on Monday as they faced Newport in their Munster Semi Final clash. The weather wasn’t promising as it was dull and dreary. As we arrived into Charleville, the sun was slowly breaking its way through the dense fog.
As soon as the first sliotar was thrown in, KCS took control of the game. Newport gave away soft frees which they were not happy about and this gave Kinsale an early advantage as they took an early lead with three frees scored by Catherine Murphy. Newport responded by scoring a low flying free over the bar. It was early in the game when Caoimhe Horgan dropped a ball on top of the Newport goalie who batted it out, only for Catherine to be standing in the perfect spot to bury it into the back of the net. Kinsale were indeed in charge at this time as there was support play right up the field. Some more lovely points from Catherine Murphy, Caoimhe Horgan and Emma MacSweeney extended the lead. Newport had a purple patch towards the end of the first half where they gained more control of the game. Their midfielders and half forwards were making it difficult for the KCS halfback line as they had runners going straight through creating an overlap and their constant movement proved to be confusing at times. The KCS backs worked hard towards the end of the first half as Newport were raining ball in on top of them. KCS back Pamela O’Donovan, Sarah Lynch, Caitlin Hurley, Tara Hipwell, Maisie O’Callaghan and Ava McCarthy did trojan work are they fought for every ball. Silly fouls committed by the Kinsale backs allowed Newport back into the game. It was 1-06 a piece at halftime.
When Kinsale lined out in the second half, they knew they were going to have to dig deep if they were to finish this game with a win. From the get go KCS fought for every ball, however Newport were not making it easy for them. More frees awarded to Kinsale played in their favour as it gave them an early lead as Newport were visible frustrated. The sliotar was up and down the field with neither team giving up easily. Exceptional hooking and blocking at crucial times by Caoimhe O’Donnell in midfield denied Newport of getting more scores on the board. KCS were now up points but Newport were continuously keeping the pressure on. It was in the latter stages of the second half that Newport got their second goal. This really put pressure on KCS now as there was only two points separating the sides. Kinsale forwards were laying ono the pressure with efforts made by Erin Ridgeway, Carly Helbrow and Aisling Rath. It was only minutes later when Caoimhe O’Donnell gathered the sliotar in front of the goal and fired it into the back of the net. This goal and some more points scored by Catherine Murphy and Caoimhe Horgan sealed the win for Kinsale and gave them a ticket into the Munster Final on Saturday 28th January. Well done girls!
Back L to R: Hannah Ganly, Oonagh McCarthy, Aisling Rath, Naoise O’Donnell, Kate O’Sullivan, Ava McCarthy, Sarah Graham, Maisie O’Callaghan, Tara Hipwell, Nora Gould, Caoimhe Horgan, Pamela O’Donovan, Carly Helbrow.
Front L to R: Catherine Murphy, Caitlin Hurley, Sophie Hurley, Erin Ridgeway, Roisin Griffin, Alison Dennehy, Sarah Lynch, Caoimhe O’Donnell, Emma MacSweeney
KCS back regroup during a break of play.
Maisie O’Callaghan breaks forward with the sliotar from the KCS halfback line.