Kilkenny retain Leinster Senior Camogie crown

A strong first half performance saw Kilkenny crowned the Leinster senior camogie champions for the 26th time.

In a repeat of last year’s final, Chap Cleere’s side got the better of Dublin at Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

The Cats were quick off the mark on Saturday, with Laura Greene opening the scoring with a point from play inside three minutes. They doubled their lead directly from the puckout, Aoife Doyle sending the sliotar back over the bar.

Ashling Maher opened Dublin’s account with a point before she fired her side in front, blasting the sliotar to the back of the net to make it 1-1 to 0-2 after six minutes. However, they failed to raise a flag for the next 37 minutes, allowing Kilkenny to take control of the scoreboard.

Kilkenny shrugged off the concession of that goal, Miriam Walsh pointed from play after a neat handpass from Caoimhe Keher-Murtagh. Sarah Barcoe tacked on a point, before Aoife Prendergast slotted over a point from a free to level matters.

Wing Back Miriam Bambrick got on the scoresheet with a point to edge Kilkenny back in front (0-6 to 1-1). They kicked on from here, Miriam Walsh and Aoife Prendergast (0-2 frees) adding the last points of the half. That run ensured Kilkenny were five points ahead at the interval (0-9 to 1-1).

The leaders picked up where they left off after the resumption, adding two more points from Aoife Prendergast.

Dublin finally sparked back into life, scoring four unanswered points through Emma Flanagan, Niamh Comerford, Grace O’Shea and Ashling Maher.

However, their hopes of a comeback were ended when Prendergast fired over two more frees. Aishling O’Neill slotted over a point for Dublin, but Prendergast had the final say, converting a 45m free to seal the silverware.

Kilkenny won’t have long to celebrate their provincial success as they straight into the All-Ireland championship. The Cats will start their O’Duffy Cup campaign when they face Limerick in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Saturday at 4pm.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny – Aoife Prendergast (0-8, frees); Miriam Walsh (0-2); Aoife Doyle, Laura Greene, Sarah Barcoe, Miriam Bambrick (0-1 each).

Dublin – Aishling O’Neill (1-1); Ashling Maher (0-2, 0-1 free); Emma Flanagan, Grace O’Shea (0-1 each); Niamh Comerford (0-1 free).

Kilkenny – Aoife Norris (Piltown); Michelle Teehan (James Stephens), Grace Walsh (Tullaroan), Ciara Phelan (Dicksboro); Tiffanie Fitzgerald (Young Irelands), Niamh Deely (James Stephens), Miriam Bambrick (Barrow Rangers); Laura Murphy (O’Loughlin Gaels), Laura Greene (O’Loughlin Gaels); Aoife Doyle (Piltown), Katie Power (Piltown), Sarah Barcoe (Thomastown); Caoimhe Keher-Murtagh (Rower-Inistioge), Miriam Walsh (Tullaroan), Aoife Prendergast (Dicksboro).

Subs: Julianne Malone (Mullinavat) for Katie Power, Katie Nolan (St Martin’s) for Sarah Barcoe, Asha McHardy (Dicksboro) for Miriam Walsh.

Dublin – Amy Gorman; Abby Ryan, Emma O’Byrne, Zoe Couch; Claire Gannon, Ashling Maher, Kerry Finnegan; Niamh Gannon, Gaby Couch; Aoife McKearney, Sinead Nolan, Aine Rafter; Aishling O’Neill, Elyse Jamieson-Murphy, Grace O’Shea.

Subs: Aisling Gannon for Sinead Nolan, Emma Flanagan for Aine Rafter, Aoife Kenny for Zoe Couch.

Referee – Justin Heffernan (Wexford)