Late Gaule free reels in Banner

Kilkenny 1-14

Clare 3-8

Kilkenny needed an injury time point from Denise Gaule to deny Clare a famous senior All-Ireland camogie championship win at Nowlan Park

Gaule held her nerve to convert from a free after a late Chloe Morey free had edged the Banner women in front

Clare were quick off the mark, opening an early lead through two Chloe Morey frees, but Gaule had the Cats level by the eight minute. Kilkenny stepped on, taking the lead with a move that started with Colette Dormer in defence and finished when Katie Power scored a fine point off her right

But from the puck out, the Kilkenny defenders were caught napping. Clare played the ball into the corner, Niamh O’Dea ran at the defence and as the full back advanced, lobbed the ball over her head to an unmarked Aine O’Loughlin who slotted the ball home pass Emma Kavanagh

Miriam Walsh did cut the deficit with a fine point, the Kilkenny defence were caught on the hop again soon after, Aine O’Loughlin raffling the net for her and Clare’s second goal, to boost the Banner lead (2-2 to 0-4)

After that flurry of Clare scores, Kilkenny did well to keep their rivals scoreless for the remainder of the half, while also scoring four points to level the match

Shelly Farrell led the comeback, catching an Anne Dalton free to split the posts off her left. That was followed by another score from a Gaule 45, but only after Clare ‘keeper Lauren Solon deflected a Michelle Quilty shot out for a 45

Over the next eight minutes, play went from end to end, with both sides registering wides, just as half time approached, Miriam Walsh and Denise Gaule grabbed a point each to level the game (2-2 to 0-8)

Backed by the breeze in the second half, Kilkenny attacked the game with gusto. Play went to and fro until the eight minute of the new half, when Meighan Farrell fed Katie Power to put Kilkenny into the lead.

Shortly afterwards, Julieann Malone powered through the Clare defence and hand passed to the net to extend the lead further.

It seemed inevitable when that goal was scored, that Kilkenny would kick on, but O’Loughlin pounced again to score her third goal to leave a point in it.

Michelle Quilty then put two points between them, before Shelly Farrell scored a fine point after fielding a free from Anne Dalton & shrugging off her marker, slotted over the bar. Clare levelled matters with points through Chloe Morey (2 frees) and Niamh O’Dea

The scoring wasn’t finished though, Danielle Morrissey put the Cats back in front, before Chloe Morey scored her fifth point to level again. Meighan Farrell then scored a point in the last minute of normal time to put Kilkenny ahead again.

With four minutes of additional time announced, Clare worked the ball upfield trying to score the winning point. Kilkenny stood firm, but conceded a free, sharpshooter, Chloe Morey eased Clare ahead

However, Kilkenny weren’t going to let this match slip. From the puck out they went straight for goal. Captain, Anna Farrell broke through the Clare defence, but was unceremoniously upended. Denise Gaule held her nerve to convert the free, to draw the game

The Cats were relieved to get the draw, but will need to learn from this game. Next up for them is a meeting with Galway on Saturday, which will be a big test for both teams

Scores – Kilkenny – Denise Gaule (0-5, 3 frees, 1 45), Julieann Malone (1-0), Katie Power, Miriam Walsh, Shelly Farrell (0-2 each), Michelle Quilty, Danielle Morrissey, Meighan Farrell (0-1 each)

Clare – Chloe Morey (0-7, 6 frees), Aisling O’Loughlin (3-0), Niamh O’Dea (0-1)

Kilkenny – Emma Kavanagh, Catherine Foley, Davina Tobin, Colette Dormer, Claire Phelan, Anne Dalton, Grace Walsh, Meighan Farrell, Anna Farrell, Julieann Malone, Katie Power, Denise Gaule, Shelly Farrell, Miriam Walsh, Michelle Quilty

Subs – Danielle Morrissey for Miriam Walsh, Miriam Frisby for Colette Dormer, Sarah Ann Quinlan for Julieann Malone, Ann Marie Lennon, Jacqui Frisby, Michelle Teehan, Jenny Reddy, Jenny Clifford, Laura Murphy, Grace O’Donnell, Stacey Quirke, Aoife Doyle, Roisin Phelan, Sarah Crowley, Sarah Kent

Clare – Lauren Solon, Amy Barrett, Marie McGrath, Carol O’Leary, Laura McMahon, Clare Hehir, Roisin McMahon, Orlaith Duggan, Andrea O’Keeffe, Vera Loughnane, Aoife Keane, Orla Devitt, Chloe Morey, Aine O’Loughlin, Niamh O’Dea

Subs – Zoe McInerney for Aine O’Loughlin, Emma O’Connell for Amy Barrett, Sarah Loughnane, Ciara McCarthy, Aoibhean Duggan, Saoirse Glynn, Rachel Kelly, Aoibhean Malone, Chloe Devitt, Amy Keating, Deana Considine, Regan Conway, Ciara Doyle, Doireann Murphy, Ciara Grogan

Referee – Owen Elliott, Antrim