Kilkenny down determined Dubs to reach Leinster Camogie Final

Kilkenny are through to the Leinster senior camogie final after beating a determined Dublin.

However, Saturday’s game at St Peregrine’s will be remembered for a different reason. Both teams came out for the warm-up wearing shorts. Both captains went for the coin toss when match officials noticed them wearing the shorts. The captains were told that the match would be abandoned if they did not go back into the changing rooms and change into their skorts. After a delay, the game went ahead.

When the action did get under way Dublin got off the mark with an Aoife McKearney point from a placed ball. A minute later, Kate Nolan pulled on the sliotar towards the Dublin goal. The ’keeper raced from her line, but corner forward Steffi Fitzgerald was quickest to react and lashed the sliotar to the back of the net.

The sides traded points after that through Sinead Wylde and Laura Murphy (free), but Kilkenny took a big step forward when they awarded a sixth minute free. When the ball was moved forward for dissent, Niamh Deely sent a high ball towards the square. A sea of players battled for possession, but Aoife Prendergast made the vital connection to flick the ball home. With further points from Laura Murphy (two frees) and Steffi Fitzgerald, the Cats were in a commanding position.

Dublin came back with a vengeance, Aisling Maher hitting the net with an unstoppable shot, to which Aoife McKearney added another pointed free.

The visitors hit back again, Prendergast grabbing her second goal after a telling pass from Steffi Fitzgerald. Although Dublin then hit the final three scores of the half through Aoife McKearney (free), Aisling Maher (free) and Claire Gannon, Kilkenny still had a good lead at the break (3-4 to 1-6).

Tommy Shefflin’s side didn’t hang about after the restart, hitting 1-2 without reply. Murphy (free) and Prendergast landed the points, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh raising the green flag.

The sides continued to trade points, but Kilkenny remained out of Dublin’s reach. Katie Nolan, Mary O’Connell and Laura Murphy (free) hit the target for the Cats, with Dublin replying through Aisling Maher (free), Grace O’Shea and Sinead Wylde. O’Shea would add a goal late on, pouncing on a loose ball. Dublin finished well with scores from Wylde and Maher, but minors from Kellyann Doyle and Sophie Holden ensured Kilkenny booked their place in the final against Wexford on May 17.

Teams and scorers

Kilkenny – Aoife Prendergast (2-1); Laura Murphy (0-5, frees); Steffi Fitzgerald (1-1); Caoimhe Keher Murtagh (1-0); Katie Nolan, Mary O’Connell, Kellyann Doyle, Sophie Holden (0-1 each).

Dublin – Aisling Maher (1-4, 0-4 frees), Grace O’Shea (1-1), Aoife McKearney (0-3, frees), Sinead Wylde (0-3), Claire Gannon (0-1).

Kilkenny - Aoife Norris; Michelle Teehan, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Ava Brett; Niamh Deely, Caoimhe Dowling, Katie Power; Sarah Barcoe, Laura Greene; Mary O’Connell, Laura Murphy, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh; Katie Nolan, Aoife Prendergast, Steffi Fitzgerald.

Subs: Kellyann Doyle for Katie Nolan, Aobha O’Gorman for Laura Greene, Sophie Holden for Sarah Barcoe.

Dublin - Eimear Hurley; Abby Ryan, Hannah Leddy, Emma O’Byrne; Claire Gannon, Kerrie Finnegan, Sarah Power; Gaby Couch, Aoife McKearney; Sinead Wylde, Grace O’Shea, Sibeal Cherry; Aisling Gannon, Emma Moran, Aisling Maher.

Subs: Jennifer Moore, Aisling O’Neill, Aoife Heffernan.

Referee - Ray Kelly (Kildare).