Kilkenny through to National League Final

Denis Hurley, O’Connor Park, Tullamore

KILKENNY pulled off an amazing comeback to get the better of Galway and qualify for the final of the Camogie National League Division One at Tullamore yesterday.

When Galway full-forward Brenda Hanney flicked an Emma Kilkelly delivery to the Kilkenny net in the 47th minute, it put them 1-12 to 0-7 ahead and the Cats, who had missed a penalty five minutes earlier, looked to be beaten.

Inspired by their captain Ann Dalton, however, Kilkenny began to reel in the lead and when Dalton, who would finish with 1-6, goaled from a 20m free with four minutes left, it made it 1-12 to 1-10.

Points from Michelle Quilty and Kate Power then had them level before sub Collette Dormer completed the turnaround, taking a brilliant pass from Quilty before firing home.

Prior to the late drama, Galway had always looked in control, placed balls from Aislin Connolly leaving them in a commanding lead of 0-10 to 0-5 at half-time, and though Kilkenny exerted pressure early in the second half, the storm looked to have been weathered.

Scorers – Kilkenny: A Dalton 1-6 (1-3f), A Neary 0-3f, C Dormer 1-0, K Power 0-2, M Quilty 0-1.

Galway: A Connolly 0-9 0-7f, 0-1 45), B Hanney 1-0, T Maher, E Kilkelly, L Mitchell 0-1 each.

KILKENNY: C Ryan; A Butler, C Doherty, J Frisby; L Lyng, L Fennelly, E Lyng; K Fennelly, E Aylward; M Quilty, K Power, A Dalton; D Gaule, M Dargan, A Neary.

Subs: C Dormer for K Fennelly (half-time), K McDonald for E Lyng (33, injured), A Dunphy for L Lyng (47), S Farrell for Neary (53).

GALWAY: S Earner; S Tannian, S Dervan, N Lawless; S Noone, AM Hayes, N Kilkenny; P Kenny, O Kilkenny; E Kilkelly, T Maher, N McGrath; L Mitchell, B Hanney, A Connolly.

Subs: R Glynn for Noone (35), V Curtin for Kenny (57), C Gill for Lawless (60).

Referee: E Mac Suibhne (Dublin).

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