Late scores secure win for champions

Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-12   Kilkishen 1-6

THREE points in the closing moments from Newmarket’s Nikki Kaiser clinched this opening-round win for the county champions in a tightly contested match.

Kate Lynch goaled for Kilkishen in the opening minute. Newmarket had levelled matters by the eighth, before Kate O’Gorman converted a free to edge Kilkishen in front two minutes later. In a tightly contested opening half, it was Kilkishen who had the upper hand as they took the game to Newmarket.

Norah Murphy’s point from play in the 22nd minute saw Kilkishen extend their lead by two points. However, three points from Newmarket’s Áine O’Brien and two Nikki Kaiser frees saw the Blues overturn that deficit and go in with the minimum between the sides at the break.

The second half resumed with Kilkishen levelling matters in the opening minute. The sides were level twice more before O’Brien edged Newmarket in front midway through the half.

Newmarket went into injury time with a four-point advantage. Kilkishen’s Orla Moroney fired over a long-range free for the final score of the game, leaving Newmarket to take the points in this opening game of the senior championship. Indeed, Newmarket could well have ended this with a bigger winning margin but for the endeavours of Clare Baker, who excelled in the Kilkishen goals throughout.

 

Newmarket-on-Fergus: Caroline Feehily; Aoife Griffin, Jane O’Leary, Clodagh Lawlor; Aimee McInerney, Carol O’Leary, Bríd Enright; Ruth Kaiser, Joanne Walsh; Deirdre Cassidy (0-1), Jenny Kelly, Nikki Kaiser (0-8, 2 45s, 4f); Rachael Mulcaire, Áine O’Brien (0-3), Laura McMahon.
Subs: Kate O’Neill for Rachel Mulcaire.
Kilkishen: Clare Baker; Caroline Sheedy, Nollaig Baker, Marie Nash; Ciara Ryan, Siobhán Keniry, Lisa Loughnane; Cushla Hehir, Kate Lynch (1-0); Kate O’Gorman (0-4), Michelle Moroney, Noelle McNamara; Norah Murphy (0-1), Orla Moroney (0-1), Shauna Fleming.
Sub: Clodagh O’Halloran for Noelle McNamara.
Referee: Damien Fox.

Kilmaley 2-8   Clooney-Quin 0-3

KILMALEY’S first-half dominance easily saw off the challenge of a spirited Clooney-Quin side in Newmarket on Sunday afternoon.

Deirdre Murphy had Clooney-Quin on the scoreboard from a free within two minutes. Kilmaley struck for a goal within minutes but the shot was well stopped by Clooney-Quin goalie Sheelagh Daffy.

Kilmaley’s opening score came in the seventh minute with Ashling O’Halloran collecting a pass from Claire McMahon and firing over. McMahon struck for Kilmaley’s first goal two minutes later.

Kilmaley piled on the pressure and when Emma O’Driscoll sent a shot across the Clooney goal area, a poor clearance resulted in a goal mouth scramble and Ashling O’Halloran capitalised to send her shot to the net.

Further points saw Kilmaley go in 2-4 to 0-2 up at the break. Clooney-Quin had a much-improved performance in the second half but were unable to pick off the scores they needed to catch Kilmaley.

Kilmaley: Edel Griffey, Sarah Reidy, Denise Lynch, Lisa Kennedy, Niamh Cahill, Katie Cahill, Sinéad O’Halloran, Aida Griffey, Ashling D’Arcy, Siobhan Maher, Emma O’Driscoll (0-1), Shónagh Enright (0-3), Leanne McMahon, Ashling O’Halloran (1-1), Claire McMahon (1-3).
Clooney-Quin: Sheelagh Daffy, Imelda Colleran, Aisling Hannon, Christine Colleran, Jessica Leamy, Orlaith Duggan, Jenny Costelloe, Edwina McCarthy (captain), Aisling Corbett, Mary Clune, Deirdre Murphy (0-3, 1f,2 45s), Lorraine Ryan, Marie Halpin, Claire Ryan, Nicole O’Riordan.
Subs: Emily Moloney for Claire Ryan (inj) 28 mins.
Referee: Kevin Walsh.