Drom & Inch get the win after a tough battle with resilient Kickhams in round 2

FBD Insurance Senior Championship - Round 2

Drom & Inch 0-18

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 0-11

Drom-Inch made it two wins from two in the FBD Insurance Senior Camogie Championship with a strong performance against Knockavilla Kickhams, running out 0-18 to 0-11 winners.

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Drom-Inch were quickly into their stride, with early points from Miriam Campion (2) and Mary Burke before Eimear Heffernan opened Knockavilla’s account from a free after eight minutes. Caoimhe McCarthy soon added another for the Kickhams, but Drom responded in style with scores from Burke, Niamh Treacy and a Campion free to push 5–3 ahead after the opening quarter.

Midway through the half, Drom lost Áine Greed to injury, with Kate Fogarty coming in for her senior championship debut. The setback didn’t knock them off course as points from Campion and Niamh Long stretched the gap. Eimear Heffernan and Caoimhe McCarthy replied for Knockavilla but Miriam Campion finished the half with two more frees to send Drom in with a commanding 0-12 to 0-5 advantage at the break.

Knockavilla began the second half brightly with Sarah Ryan firing over from play, but Drom hit back through Campion and a fine long-range point from Niamh Treacy. A flurry of exchanged frees between Campion and Heffernan kept the margin at ten points. Kickhams then enjoyed their best spell with three unanswered scores from Sarah Ryan and Eimear Heffernan (2 frees), but Drom always found a response. The sides traded further points through Campion and Heffernan to leave the final score 0-18 to 0-11 in favour of the Mid side.

Knockavilla’s task was made more difficult when they were reduced to 14 players after Sinead Furlong received a second yellow card in the 52nd minute, but to their credit they battled hard to the finish.

Best for Drom-Inch was top-scorer Miriam Campion, outstanding with 0-12 points (7 frees, 1 ’45, 4 from play). Niamh Long (0-2) and Niamh Treacy (0-2) made telling contributions, while Mary Burke’s tireless work was rewarded with two well-taken points. The Drom defence also impressed as a unit, limiting Knockavilla’s attacking threat.

Best for Knockavilla was free-taker Eimear Heffernan, who struck 0-7 from placed balls. Sarah Ryan and Caoimhe McCarthy (0-2 each) were dangerous when driving at the Drom defence.

At the back, Ereena Friday gave a commanding display at centre-back, Sheena Ryan was solid in goal with key saves in both halves, while Emma Ryan’s blocking and goal-line stop stood out. Emma O’Mara impressed after switching to defence, and Niamh Slattery worked hard in attack, putting pressure on Drom’s puckouts.

Drom & Inch: Caoimhe Bourke, Eimear Cahill, Christina Brennan, Maria Connolly, Aoife McGrath, Mairead Eviston, Aine Greed, Tara Hoare, Niamh Treacy (0-2), Caroline Shanahan, Mary Burke (0-2), Niamh Long (0-2), Laurie Mullen, Miriam Campion(0-12, 0-7f, 0-1 45), Maureen Ryan 

Subs used: Kate Fogarty for Aine Greed.

Knockavilla Kickhams:  Sheena Ryan, Eimear Crowe, Emma Ryan, Orla Gleeson, Sinead Hayes, Ereena Fryday, Sinead Furlong, Sarah Ryan (0-2), Caoimhe McCarthy (0-2), Emma Daly, Eimear Heffernan (0-7), Emma O'Mara, Millie Kelly, Caoimhe McCormack, Niamh Slattery

Subs used: Ruby Kelly for Caoimhe McCormack, Emma Kingston for Sinead Hayes.

Referee: Joe Kearney

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