Inagh-Kilnamona’s second half fightback just fails

Burgess-Duharra, Tipperary 2-10 Inagh-Kilnamona 1-10

A powerful second half performance from Clare champions Inagh-Kilnamona wasn’t enough to dethrone the Munster title holders Burgess-Duharra in the Provincial senior club camogie championship final played in very difficult weather conditions at the gaelic grounds in Limerick this Saturday afternoon.

Playing in the final for the first time, Inagh-Kilnamona could hardly have got a worse start as they found themselves four points down after just three minutes. The experienced Eimear McDonnell pointed in the first minute before the Clare champions defence failed to deal with a Jenny Grace delivery from a 55m free and the ball ended up in the net.

It’s an indication of the way Inagh-Kilnamona have improved over the past year that they came storming back and Amy Keating landed three points in four minutes before the title holders struck for their second goal which full forward Amy Kennedy, later named as the player of the game, scored.

The winners full forward line of Tara and Amy Kennedy and Eimear McDonnell caused huge problems for the Clare champions throughout the opening half in particular and their play was key to them having a ten point lead, 2-8 to 0-4 when the half time whistle sounded.

One of the features of Inagh-Kilnamona’s play all year has been their second half displays and they turned in another marvellous second half performance this afternoon. The winners had the first score of the new half when Amy Kennedy pointed but from here on Inagh-Kilnamona dictated matters.

Two Amy Keating points from frees were followed by a Sinead O’Loughlin goal which came after a great run from centre back Clare Hehir and good play from Fiona Lafferty whose move to centre forward for the second half played a key part in the team’s rally.

The margin between the teams was down to six at the three quarter stage and the Clare side were certainly dictating matters at this stage. Inside the final ten minutes Amy Keating converted two ’45’s while Andrea O’Keeffe fired over one from play and this left just two points between the sides with three minutes remaining.

The champions responded and, fittingly, player of the game Amy Kennedy pointed to give them a three point advantage on a day when others to impress were Eimear McDonnell, Jenny Grace, Tara Kennedy, Caoimhe Maher and Gemma Grace.

Siobhan and Fiona Lafferty, Clare Hehir, Aoife Keane, Andrea and Teresa O’Keeffe and substitute Clare Commane did well for Inagh-Kilnamona.

Burgess-Duharra; Ciara Houlihan; Elaine Kine,Gemma Grace, Amanda Egan; Ciardha Maher (0-1), Caoimhe Maher, Aisling Cremin; Ciara McKeogh, Ruth Barry; Aine Gillespie, Jenny Grace (1-2, frees), Laura Reid; Tara Kennedy, Amy Kennedy (1-3), Eimear McDonnell (0-4)

Sub; Amy Seymour for A.Gillespie;

Inagh-Kilnamona; Rebecca Keating; Jame Fitzgerald,Siobhan Lafferty, Michelle Mescall; Teresa O’Keeffe, Clare Hehir, Laoise Ryan; Aoife Keane, Andrea O’Keeffe; Sinead Quinn, Sinead O’Loughlin (1-0), Marie O’Halloran; Amy Keating (0-7), 3 frees, 2 ’45s, Fiona Lafferty (0-2) Sinead Power.

Sub; Claire Commane for Fitzgerald.

Referee; Philip Dee, Limerick

By Seamus Hayes