Athy 3-5 Naas 1-2
Kildare club camogie returned to action last Sunday 24th February. A revision to the league gradings this season resulted in Athy and Naas moving up from Junior to compete in the Intermediate League. In one of the opening games, Athy, just established in 2007, overcame a youthful Naas side to get their season’s campaign off to a good start.
Throughout the match players from both teams demonstrated plenty of skill, but the the heavy pitch and early season ‘rustiness’ sometimes hindered players’ first touch and the flow of the game. This resulted in a low scoring first half in which Athy had the majority of the possession. However the Naas backs were determined not to concede any advantage. They restricted the south Kildare side to a point from play by Katie Moylan and a pointed free by Emer Garry. This gave them a slender one point lead over the Naas who registered a single point.
The game opened up in the second half and Athy raised a green and white flag in the opening five minutes to extend their lead. .This gave Athy the boost they needed and scored again through Triona Dolphin (2-1) ,Lily Bowden (1-01) and Evelyn Crowley (0-01). Naas though beaten on the scoreboard continued to work hard. While they rallied with a goal and point before the final whistle it wasn’t enough to overturn Athy’s advantage who ran out winners 3-05 to 1-02.
Best for Athy were Rhona Mulhall in goals , Ruth Crowley, Emer Gary, Ellen Clancy, Katie Moylan , Evelyn Crowley and Michelle Foley. Naas’ best included Aisling Hennessy, Aoife Caulfield, Rebecca Sheehan and Fiona Trant.
Kildare stars capture 2nd Ashbourne medals
In other camogie action at the weekend, Celbridge and Kildare stars Susie O’Carroll and Mary Murtagh collected their second national medals when UCD won the Ashbourne Cup title for the second year in a row by comprehensively beating Waterford IT by five goals at Casement Park Belfast. In a resounding display UCD won 5-9 to 0-9. The Ashbourne Cup is the oldest national competition in camogie and is the senior title for third level education institiutions (equivalent to the hurling Fitzgibbon Cup and football Sigerson Cup).
Lilies take on the Royals Mar 2nd in St. Laurence’s
Kildare will line out next Sunday 2nd March for their first home national league fixture of the year when they take on the Royal county Meath. Kildare will be looking to add two points to the one they collected when they drew away to Carlow earlier in February while this will be Meath’s first outing of the season. Kildare will hope to be boosted by the Ashbourne Cup players, O’Carroll and Murtagh, and Orla Bambury, now playing her club camogie in Kilkenny having previously played with her native Cappagh. Throw in is at 3.00 p.m. in St. Laurence’s
Joan O’Flynn
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