Kilkenny Romp Into All Ireland Semi Finals

Michelle Quilty receives the players of the match award from Eoin Lennon, Liberty Insurance after the game.

Liberty Insurance Senior Camogie Championship

Kilkenny 1-17
Galway 0-13

Kilkenny are through to the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi Final on Saturday 18th August in Semple Stadium, Thurles after defeating Galway last Sunday in a top of the table clash in Nowlan Park

Galway started the brighter, Ailish O’Reilly firing over two points from play in the 4th & 5th minute. Denise Gaule reduced the margin to the minimum when she converted a free after Davina Tobin was fouled on the 21m line in the 7th minute

However, the westerners took the initiative when Carrie Dolan pointed a 45m free which was quickly followed with Niamh McGrath & Ailish O’Reilly adding a point a piece to leave the score 0-5 (G) to 0-1 (KK) by the end of the first quarter

The home side ratcheted up the pressure from this juncture by scoring four points without reply through Anna Farrell, Denise Gaule (f), Michelle Quilty and Miriam Walshe to level the scores

Both sides exchanged minor scores, Niamh McGrath for the visitors and Denise Gaule for the home side. Shelly Farrell had the Cats back in front when she fired over a nice point and Carrie Dolan promptly replied with a pointed free to level the score at 0-7 each

Approaching the half time whistle Anne Dalton played a beautiful pass to Denise Gaule who split the posts. Anne Dalton had the last score of the half when she slotted over a point to leave the home side two points clear at the break, 0-9 to 0-7

The Tribeswomen were quickly out of the blocks after the restart when they drew level with Carrie Dolan & Ailish O’Reilly firing over a point each from play. Denise Gaule had the home side back in front with two points from placed balls only for Carrie Dolan to reply with two similar scores to equalise on the 41st minute

Two minutes later Shelly Farrell was unceremoniously fouled by two Galway defenders on the edge of the square and referee awarded a Penalty which was drilled to the net by Denise Gaule. The fore mentioned player fired over a long range free a minute later to leave the home side ahead 1-12 to 0-11. Michelle Quilty was on hand to pick up a loose ball that was parried away by the Galway goalie and slotted over the bar

Aoife Donohue replied with a minor score for the visitors but the cream came to the top early with Denise Gaule and player of the match Michelle Quilty (2) firing over three points. Both sides exchanged minor scores, Noreen Coen for the girls in Maroon and Claire Phelan closed the scoring with the final score reading 1-17 to 0-13 in favour of the stripey women

Scorers – Kilkenny – Denise Gaule (1-8, goal Penalty, 6f), Michelle Quilty (0-4), Anna Farrell, Miriam Walshe, Shelly Farrell, Anne Dalton, Claire Phelan (0-1 each)

Galway – Carrie Dolan (0-5, 3f), Ailish O’Reilly (0-4), Niamh McGrath (0-2), Aoife Donohue, Noreen Coen (0-1 each)

Kilkenny – Emma Kavanagh, Michelle Teehan, Catherine Foley, Colette Dormer, Claire Phelan, Anne Dalton, Grace Walsh, Anna Farrell, Davina Tobin, Meg Farrell, Katie Power, Denise Gaule, Miriam Walsh, Michelle Quilty, Shelly Farrell (Captain)

Subs – Edwina Keane for Michelle Teehan, Julieann Malone for Miriam Walsh, Kelly Ann Doyle for Denise Gaule, Danielle Morrissey for Meg Farrell inj., Jacqui Frisby, Jenny Clifford, Roisin Phelan, Grace O’Donnell, Niamh Deely, Aoife Doyle

Galway – Sarah Healy, Shauna Healy, Sarah Dervan (Captain), Tara Kenny, Emma Helebert, Heather Cooney, Lorraine Ryan, Niamh McGrath, Niamh Kilkenny, Aoife Donohue, Catriona Cormican, Rebecca Hennelly, Carrie Dolan, Noreen Coen, Ailish O’Reilly

Subs – Ann Marie Starr for Emma Helebert, Roisin Black for Tara Kenny, Siobhan McGrath for Ailish O’Reilly, Niamh Hanniffy, Catriona Daly, Shauna Burke, Finola Keely, Cliodhna Walsh, Ciara Murphy, Leanne Freaney, Michelle Skehill, Ava Lynskey, Orlaith McGrath, Leah Burke, Niamh Horan, Siobhan Coen