Newmarket crowned champions

Newmarket 2-11 Kilmaley 0-10

Newmarket are back on top in Clare senior camogie after they overcame defending champions Kilmaley in the 2010 final at Cusack Park on Saturday.
Chasing a third title on the trot, Kilmaley were always struggling against a Newmarket side that laid the foundations for success in the opening half when Iris Kaiser, later named as the player of the match, scored both goals.
Kilmaley, winners of the title for the first time in their history in 2008, fought back strongly in the third quarter and closed the gap to four points but that was as close as they got, as Newmarket regained control and went on to record a merited win.
Having lost to Kilmaley in the final in 2008 and in the semi-final 12 months ago, Newmarket’s determination to turn the tables on their great rivals was evident from early in the campaign.
In Saturday’s final they took an early grip on the game and were in front after just 50 seconds when Nikki Kaiser sent over the opening point. Two Áine O’Brien points, the second from a free, followed as the winners took control of the tie, which was 12 minutes old before Kilmaley got their first score, a point from a 20m free by Claire McMahon, the game’s top scorer.
The Kilmaley sharpshooter came close to scoring a goal in the early minutes but the winner’s goalie, Carol Twomey, made a fine save.
Another Áine O’Brien point stretched Newmarket’s lead to three (0-4 to 0-1) by the end of the opening quarter. Two minutes later, they struck a major blow when Iris Kaiser reacted quickest to first-time a powerful low drive to the net after Kilmaley defender Denis Lynch had batted down a high delivery.
A point followed from sister Nikki and the new champions were eight points clear with just 18 minutes played. Two pointed frees from Claire McMahon kept the defending champions in contention but they were dealt a cruel blow a minute from the break when full-forward Iris Kaiser struck for the game’s second goal.
It was similar to the first in that she was quickest to react when Denise Lynch batted down another high delivery and her first-time strike gave the Kilmaley defence no chance.
Just on the stroke of half-time Kilmaley had a great chance to close the gap when referee John Dolan ruled that Claire McMahon had been fouled in the square and he awarded a penalty. McMahon failed to get a good strike on the ball, which went outside the upright to the relief of the Newmarket followers.
They teams went to the break with eight points separating them, 2-5 to 0-3, after Newmarket had played with the aid of a strong breeze.
The opening play in the second half was similar to the first and ended with Nikki Kaiser pointing after 50 seconds, just as she had done in the opening half.
The remainder of the third quarter was dominated by Kilmaley and they scored five unanswered points, three from Claire McMahon and one each from Katie Cahill and team captain Emma O’Driscoll.
They missed a few chances during this period, which was to prove costly. Early in the final quarter, Newmarket struck back and points from Sharon McMahon, Áine O’Brien and Iris Kaiser made it clear that they were determined not to let their lead slip.
They were seven points ahead with 10 minutes to go and that was the margin at the final whistle after both sides had added two points each.
John Dolan’s final whistle sparked off great celebrations amongst the Newmarket players and officials and the new Clare champions will now go on to represent Clare in the Munster Intermediate Championship.
Their opponents in the first round will be Mallow and the eventual winners of the provincial title will be presented with the Trixie Twomey Trophy, a prize Newmarket would dearly love to win.
The late Trixie was a proud Newmarket man and won many hurling championships with the club. After his playing days, he devoted many hours each week to the coaching of hurling and camogie teams at club and county level.
For the new Clare champions, Róisín McMahon excelled at centre-back while Iris and Nikki Kaiser, Áine O’Brien and Erica Minogue were others who stood out.
Lorna Higgins, Eimear Considine, Katie Cahill and Clare McMahon were prominent throughout for Kilmaley.
Orla Considine, chairperson of Clare Camogie Board, presented the trophy to the winning captain Ruth Kaiser, while Iris Kaiser was presented with the player of the match award.

Newmarket: Carol Twomey; Aoife Griffin, Jane O’Leary, Carol O’Leary; Aimee McInerney, Róisín McMahon, Carol Kaiser; Ruth Kaiser (captain), Joanne Walsh; Sharon McMahon, Erica Minogue, Áine O’Brien; Deirdre Cassidy, Iris Kaiser, Nikki Kaiser.
Scorers: Iris Kaiser (2-1); Áine O’Brien (0-5, 1f, 1 45); Nikki Kaiser (0-3); Sharon McMahon, Deirdre Cassidy (0-1).
Frees: 14; Wides: 5; 45s: 1
“This win is the culmination of not just this year but the work that has been done at underage over the last decade.” Brian Enright, Newmarket manager.

Kilmaley: Edel Griffey; Lorna Higgins, Eimear Considine, Lisa Kennedy; Helen McMahon, Denis Lynch, Sinéad O’Halloran; Siobhán Maher, Aida Griffey; Shonagh Enright, Emma O’Driscoll (capt), Katie Cahill; Ailish Considine, Claire McMahon, Aisling Darcy.
Subs: Emer O’Connor for A Griffey (33 minutes); Aisling O’Halloran for S Maher (46 minutes); Sarah Reidy for L Kennedy (59 minutes).
Scorers: Claire McMahon (0-9, 8f); Katie Cahill, Emma O’Driscoll (0-1) each.
Frees: 25; Wides: 10.
“We were on top in the first half but the goals were killer blows. After that we needed a goal which didn’t come.” Gerry Kennedy, Kilmaley manager.

Referee: John Dolan, Clarecastle.