Knockavilla Kickhams come out on top of a tightly contested minor camogie decider

County Minor B Camogie Cup Final

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-7

Silvermines 1-6

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams and Silvermines met on a cold, but dry December Sunday afternoon in Borris-Ileigh GAA Grounds.

The first half was a very close physical encounter with free takers Ruby Kelly for Knockavilla and Maeve Cuneen for Silvermines exchanging points while Ellen Browne put Knockavilla a point up at halftime with a point from play.

Una Ryan was dominating exchanges at midfield for Silvermines but the Kickhams had a very determined tight defence. However, Maeve Cuneen was causing difficulty on the wing for Kickhams.

The second half was a more open, end-to-end match especially the final quarter, which was indeed very tense with the sides always within two points of each other. Kichams elected Sarah Ryan to mark Maeve Cuneen in the second half and the duo had a great battle.

There were two major turning points in the second half, the first being a Kellie O'Dwyer soloed goal that gave the ‘Mines’ the lead having trailed for much of the match.

But then a Clara Horgan goal, two minutes into injury time for Knockavilla Kickhams gave Kickhams a late lead which they held onto to the final whistle. Well done to both sides for serving up a great game in sticky December conditions.

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Aine Leahy; Orla Gleeson, Jessie Collins, Clara Horgan; Aoife White, Sarah Ryan, Niamh Buckley; Emma Kingston, Mary Ellen Holmes; Ellen Browne, Jade Collins, Millie Kelly; Ruby Kelly, Saoirse O'Dwyer, Niamh Hayes.

Silvermines: Caoimhe Delaney; Ruth Maher, Molly Ryan, Emer Moroney; Kathie Ryan, Maeve Steed, Robyn O'Dwyer; Phoebe Sage, Una Ryan; Maeve Cuneen, Jane Ryan, Aoife Ryan; Ciara Ryan, Kellie O'Dwyer, Ella Baile.