Pulsating Junior A county camogie league final ends all square with replay required

Junior A County Camogie League Final

Kiladangan 2-5

Holycross Ballycahill 1-8

After an exciting contest on Sunday morning Kiladangan and Holycross Ballycahill couldn’t be separated and will lock horns again next weekend in the Junior A league final replay.

In a heart stopping encounter the game was level four times when Holycross looked to have been heading for victory when Kathy Ryan pointed in the 61st minute. But there was still time for more excitement and a converted free from Sinead Meagher three minutes later brought the game to a dramatic conclusion.

These sides are used to close encounters when they meet with last year’s final ending in a draw and needing two periods of extra time before Kiladangan secured the win. With 6 mins gone on the clock, the scoring was finally opened with a goal from Kiladangan’s Laoise Ryan.

Holycross replied immediately with points from Michell Dwan and Jodie Maher. Both defences were well on top with scores hard to come by and needing to be well earned.

Ava Seymour got on the scoreboard for Kiladangan before Lauren McCormack struck two points in a row, from play and a free to leave the half time score 1-1 to 0-4.

At the early stages of the second half Holycross looked to be getting on top of their opponents.Anan Gavin at centre back led a close marking defence while Linda fanning and Jodie Maher were very much on top at midfield helping them to hold a slender lead 1-2 to 0-6 lead at the three quarter mark.

Moments later the game turned when Emily Morrissey found the back of the net after a Sinead Meagher free was lobbed in.
This gave Kiladangan a real boost and Sinead Meagher added to their tally with a couple of well taken points to push them three points clear.

Kiladangan were now on top but credit to Holycross they battled hard to get back into the game.
Needing a goal Katie Ryan duly obliged and then added a point in the 61st minute to give them the lead before the late equaliser.

Scorers: Kiladangan: S Meagher 0-4 (0-2f, 0-1 '45); L Ryan and E Morrissey (1-0 each); A Seymour (0-1).

Holycross Ballycahill: L McCormack (0-4, 0-3f); K Ryan (1-1); M Dwan, J Maher and C Doyle (0-1 each).
Kiladangan: Aoife Gleeson; Michelle McLoughlin, Eimear Hogan, Olibhia Mulhall; Nicola McGrath, Caoimhe Noonan, Eimear Meagher; Ava Seymour, Emma Gavin; Laoise Ryan, Aoibheann Ryan, Eadaoin Hackett; Maria Minehan, Emily Morrissey, Sinead Meagher.

Subs: Jane Minehan for E Meagher (44); Emma Cahalan for Seymour (58).

Holycross Ballycahill: Sara Gleeson; Katie Ryan, Aisling Slattery, Kate Dwan; Fiona Judge, Anna Gavin, Roisin Comerford; Linda Fanning, Jodie Maher; Julie Brennan, Grainne O’ Dowd, Caoimhe Doyle; Lauren McCormack, Michelle Dwan, Steph Dwan.

Subs: Maebh Ryan for Brennan (23); Sarah Ryan for S Dwan 35); Elaine Brennan for Maher (48), Kate Carr for Doyle 48).

Referee: TP O'Sullivan