The classy Cats complete the big hat-trick of titles

Kilkenny 1-14

Offaly 1-13

After a hard-fought match, Kilkenny got the better of Offaly in this Leinster Senior Camogie Final in Birr on Sunday

From the throw-in, Offaly were flying. They were awarded a free from which Michaela Morkan scored a goal, the flight of the ball deceiving the Kilkenny Goalkeeper.

The away side were back on terms by the 12th minute with three frees from Denise Gaule.

Offaly scored the next point through their ace sharpshooter, Siobhan Flannery. From the puck out, Kilkenny worked the ball upfield, Denise Gaule played a crossfield ball to Julieann Malone, who hand passed to Grace O’Donnell, who in turn rifled the ball past the Offaly ‘keeper.

Grace followed up with a point to leave the score after 17th minutes, 1-4 (K) to 1-1. Siobhan Flannery (O) then scored the next two points, one from a placed ball.

Danielle Morrissey (K) hit back for a minor score to put Kilkenny further ahead, but Offaly hit back for five unanswered points through Siobhan Flannery (2), Debbie Flynn, Orlagh Kirwan and Tina Hannon.

Katie Power (K) stopped advance in the 31st minute when she grabbed a point to leave the half time score, Kilkenny 1-6 to Offaly 1-8

Quick out of Traps

Kilkenny, the All-Ireland Champions were quick out of the traps in the second half. They snatched two points to equalise, one from Julieann Malone and Denise Gaule.

The losers took the lead again through Siobhan Flannery from a free, Katie Power equalised.

Denise Gaule (K) and Siobhan Flannery (O) then exchanged points from placed balls to leave the score 1-10 a-piece.

Jenny Clifford raced onto a through ball, but her well struck effort come back into play off the crossbar and the ball was cleared.

The next four points were exchanged between Denise Gaule, Jenny Clifford (K) and Siobhan Flannery, Aisling Brennan, leaving the score 1-12 a-piece.

Siobhan Flannery won back the lead for Offaly in the 59th minute. The fourth Official then put up the board to announce 3 minutes addition time.

Aoife Doyle (K) then scored the equalising point in the 62nd minute. Both teams went for the winning point.

Denise Gaule tried her luck, but the ball was deflected out for a 45. Gaule converted.

The score was 1-14 to 1-13. Kilkenny won.

Kilkenny Manager, Ann Downey was thrilled with the win that completed the big hat trick of All-Ireland, National League and Leinster Championship.

“Offaly are knocking on the door”, she said. “We let them back into the game a few times. It was great to get over the line”

Scores – Kilkenny – Denise Gaule (0-7, 5 frees, 1 45), Grace O’Donnell (1-1), Katie Power (0-2), Danielle Morrissey, Julieann Malone, Jenny Clifford, Aoife Doyle (0-1 each)

Offaly – Siobhan Flannery (0-9, 8 frees), Michaela Morkan (1-0, free), Debbie Flynn, Orlagh Kirwan, Tina Hannon, Aisling Brennan (0-1 each)

Kilkenny – Emma Kavanagh, Sarah Crowley, Davina Tobin, Grace Walsh, Claire Phelan, Anne Dalton, Aisling Dunphy, Meighan Farrell, Jenny Reddy, Julieann Malone, Katie Power, Denise Gaule, Danielle Morrissey, Grace O’Donnell, Michelle Quilty

Subs – Jenny Clifford for Grace O’Donnell, Catherine Foley for Grace Walsh, Sarah Kent for Jenny Reddy, Aoife Doyle for Julieann Malone, Ann Marie Lennon, Aisling Nolan, Jacqui Frisby, Laura Murphy, Miriam Frisby, Roisin Phelan, Sarah Ann Quinlan, Stacey Quirke

Offaly – Mairead Jennings, Lorraine Keena, Jean Brady, Aisling Brennan, Roisin Egan, Michaela Morkan, Linda Sullivan, Orlagh Kirwan, Grace Teehan, Mairead Daly, Triona McDonald, Arlene Watkins, Debbie Flynn, Siobhan Flannery, Tina Hannon

Subs – Sarah Harding for Triona McDonald, Patrice Delaney for Debbie Flynn, Ellen Gilligan, Fiona Stephens, Ann Marie Guinan, Deirdre Cashen, Eleanor Clendennen, Mary Teehan, Aoibhe Whelehan

Referee – Jenny Byrne, Dublin