Drom & Inch juggernaut continues at pace with quarter-final demolition of Knockavilla

FBD Insurance Senior Camogie Championship Quarter-Final

Drom & Inch 5-20

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-3

Drom & Inch firmly put Knockavilla Donaslkeigh Kickhams to the sword on Sunday with a powerful display which the Kickhams players had no real answer to.

It was a daunting task for Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams who finished fourth in group 2 to travel to the Ragg on Sunday afternoon to play Group 1 table toppers and a team eyeing a fifth county final in a row.

Unlike their group games this year Kickhams failed to trouble their opposition and Drom-Inch quickly imposed their dominance all over the field. Quick points in succession from Eimear McGrath (two frees), Niamh Treacy, and Katie O’Dwyer put the home side four points up after ten minutes. Eimear Heffernan was Kickham's sole scorer on the day pointed a free after 14 minutes for Knockavilla’s opening score.

They failed to add to this for the rest of the opening half while Drom-Inch thanks to some slick passing and great movement created and finished a further four unanswered points, two each for Eimear McGrath and Miriam Campion.

There was further trouble for Knockavilla when Drom-Inch struck two goals on the bounce just before the half-time whistle. Mary Burke with the first after a brilliant solo run through the heart of the Kickhams defence before finishing past Sheena Ryan in the goal.

In the process, she injured her collarbone and had to be substituted. A minute late Eimear McGrath also raised a green flag and at half-time the result was beyond doubt with Drom-Inch leading 2-08 to 0-1.

All championship Ereena Fryday, Caoimhe McCarthy, and Eimear Heffernan have starred for Knockavilla but on Sunday their influence was limited by an excellent Drom & Inch outfit.

Ereena still impressed with plenty of clearances and no shortage of work at centre back. But she couldn’t get forward and add to the attack which she has done to great effect in previous games.

Aoife McGrath was brilliant in midfield covering a huge amount of ground, linking the defence and the attack, picking off four points of play, and curbing the influence of Caoimhe McCarthy. While the Drom-Inch back six was physical, dogged, and superb in possession ensuring the Kickhams attack including key markswoman Eimear Heffernan failed to score from play.

Beth Ryan, Jade, and Jessie Collins all put in good shifts for the West Tipp side but unfortunately for them, they came up against an excellent Drom-Inch side who really hit form on Sunday.

Three second-half goals from Miriam Campion, Eimear McGrath, and Joanne Ryan extended Drom-Inch’s lead. Eimear Heffernan pointed two frees for Kickhams before burying a goal from a superbly struck 21-yard free in the 56th minute to complete her and Kickham’s tally.

Drom & Inch: Kristina Kenneally; Maria Connolly, Christina Brennan, Eimear Cahill; Niamh Long, Mairead Eviston, Anne Eviston; Aoife McGrath (0-4), Caroline Shanahan; Niamh Treacy (0-1), Mary Burke (1-0), Siobhan McGrath; Katie O’Dwyer (0-3), Eimear McGrath (2-9, 0-6f, 0-1 45), Miriam Campion (1-2).

Subs used: Joanne Ryan (1-1) for Mary Burke (inj); Aine Greed for Anne Eviston; Grainne Long for Maria Connolly; Noirin Butler for Dee Dunne.

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Sheena Ryan; Emma O’Mara, Beth Ryan, Jade Collins; Jessie Collins, Ereena Fryday, Sarah Ryan; Caoimhe McCarthy, Emma Daly; Niamh Slattery, Sinead Furlong, Eimear Heffernan (1-3f); Millie Kelly, Mary Anne Hayes, Ellen Brown.

Referee: Michael Heffernan (Moycarkey Borris)