Holycross Ballycahill best Kiladangan in Camogie League Final replay

Junior A Camogie League Final Replay

Holycross Ballycahill 1-13

Kiladangan 1-7

The County camogie grounds was the location for the Junior A League Final replay between Holycross Ballycahill and Kiladangan. The sides couldn’t be separated last week but Holycross Ballycahill made no mistake this time around running out deserving winners.

Holycross Ballycahill’s Lauren McCormack was on fire from the start and easily slotted the opening point of the game over the bar. This was closely followed by a Michelle Dwan point.

Nine minutes in Kiladangan were awarded a free and Sinead Meagher got their opening score of the game. Lauren McCormack then stepped up again and with ease and composure she added another point to her tally. Equally at the opposite end Sinead Meagher was on target once again for Kiladangan.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze Holycross looked to be the stronger of the two sides and when Lauren McCormack nailed four more points in quick succession from the 16 to the 21st minute they enjoyed a comfortable five point lead 0-7 to 0-2.

But the momentum then swung in Kiladangan’s favour. Another Meagher free had reduced the lead to four points before some good build up play lead to a goal chance which was initially saved before Emma Galvin found the back of the net.

Buoyed by this three minutes later Emily Morrissey went through on goal but her shot was brilliantly saved by Sara Gleeson and knocked out for a 45m which Sinead Meagher pointed. This left the half time score all square 1-4 to 0-7.

Whatever manager Declan Carr said at the break certainly worked as Holycross emerged from the dressing room with a renewed determination and put in a fantastic 20 minutes of camogie against the wind to score 5 points without reply.

Sarah Ryan a late first half substitute for the injured Steph Dwan began to have a real effect at full forward and scored two points in the opening two minutes.

This was followed by two Lauren McCormack frees either side of an excellent Michelle Dwan score as the girls in green began to dominate all over the field.

Kiladangan went 18 minutes without a score before Meagher scored a free but any sign of a comeback was quickly cancelled when Michelle Dwan fired past Aoife Gleeson in the Kiladangan goal.

Two more frees from Sinead Meagher and a long range effort from Holycross’s Meabh Ryan concluded the scoring and Kiladangan ran out 6 point winners 1-13 to 1-7.

For Kiladangan Ava Seymour and Emma Galvin worked hard in midfield while Sinead Meagher’s frees were crucial. Aoife Gleeson also impressed between the posts.

They will be disappointed that bar the goal all their scores came from placed balls. Holycross were full value for their victory. They showed a greater urgency and excellent fitness throughout the hour.

Their response to the Kiladangan goal at the end of the first half was excellent and they put in a great shift against the wind. Aisling Slattery and Anna Gavin led in defence with Lauren McCormack and Michelle Dwan on top in attack. The contribution of the subs off the bench was also noteworthy.