Limerick got their Liberry Insurance Intermediate Championship campaign off to a great start away to Kilkenny in Urlingford on Saturday with a 1-12 to 1-8 victory writes Limerick Camogie PRO Kevin Holmes. The girls gave a sizeable travelling support plenty to cheer for. Playing against a stiff breeze Limerick attacked immediately with a bullet shot by Rebecca Delee saved by the Kilkenny goal-keeper. Despite this Limerick were first to score with a point from play from Caoimhe Costello in the second minute of the game. However, Kilkenny equalised from a free from Aine Fahy followed by three points from play to leave Kilkenny leading 0-4 to 0-1.
Limerick settled and got their second score from a pointed free by Niamh Mulcahy. This was followed by a great passage of play in the 10th minute which involved Caoimhe Costello running through, slipping the ball to Mulcahy who off loaded to Dymphna O’Brien, who struck it to the back of the net. Kilkenny replied by running through Limerick's defence but Síle Moynihan was steady in goal and cleared the ball out of the danger zone. Kilkenny’s dominance in this period led to them receiving four frees but they were unable to capitalise on them.Sarah Carey scored two points from play either side of a brace from Kilkenny in the run up to half time. Mulcahy tagged on another free to leave Limerick 1-5 to 0-6 at half time.Kilkenny started the brightest in the second half with two points, bringing them level, but Limerick responsed with points from Rebecca Delee and Caoimhe Costello. Both sides battled over the next ten minutes, missing numerous chances before Niamh Mulcahy widened the gap to three with a pointed free. Player of the Match Caoimhe Costello scored a magnificent point from over 45 yards out which gave Limerick a four point cushion.There was drama in the 20th minute as Kilkenny surged through the Limerick defence, with some last gasp defending resulting in a penalty to Kilkenny which was saved by goalkeeper, Niamh Ryan. Her clearance, turned defence into attack with Caoimhe Costello pointing to give Limerick the lead at 1-10 to Kilkenny's 0-8.
With 6 minutes remaining, Limerick again launched an attack which Kilkenny’s keeper cleared for a 45’ which Niamh Mulcahy pointed. Limerick's last score of the game was taken by full forward Mary O’Callaghan with a point. To their credit Kilkenny never gave up and their workrate paid off as just before the final whistle they got a well deserved goal. But it was a case of too little too late with the final score at full time reading 1-12 to 1-8 meaning Limerick ran out deserving winners.
Limerick face Antrim in round two of the Liberty Insurance Intermediate Camogie Championship at O’Toole Park, Crumlin on Saturday 29th June at 1pm.
Limerick Scorers: Caoimhe Costelloe 0-4, Sarah Carey 0-2, Dymphna O’Brien 1-0, Mary O’Callaghan & Rebecca Delee 0-1 each, Niamh Mulcahy 0-4 1’45 3F
Kilkenny Scorers: A Kinsella 0-4F, A Fahy, M Mansfield, A Butler & M Walsh 0-1 each, L Fitzpatrick 1-0
U-16A Camogie Championship
Limerick 2-4 Offaly 2-12
Ahane, Sunday June 23rd 2pm
A disappointing result in their first outing for Limerick U-16 team. An early goal put Limerick ahead but Offaly's greater accuracy in front of goal meant they went in at half-time 2 points ahead. Limerick started the second half brightly but a brace of goals for Offaly gave Limerick a mountain to climb going into the final quarter. To give credit to the girls they never gave up and pulled a goal back with 5 minutes to go however it was too late and Offaly ran in deserving winners. Limerick will regroup from here and build on the many positive features of the girls performance.
Limerick Scorers: Leah O'Riordan 1-2 Aishling Scully 1-1 Kate Mulqueen 0-1
Offaly Scorers: Cailin Fitzgerald 1-3 Mairead Jennings 0-4 Aideen Freeman 1-0 Grainne Dolan 0-2 Sarah Walsh 0-2 Kate Troy 0-1
Limerick: 1) Laura O'Neill, 2) Sarah Shanahan 3) Leanne Browne 4) Siobhan Tagney 5) Neamh Curtin 6) Sinead McNamara 7) Aoife Coughlan 8) Caoimhe Lyons 9) Michelle Barrett 10) Aishling Scanlon 11) Kate Mulqueen 12) Ellanna Mulcahy 13) Aishling Scully 14) Leah O'Riordan 15) Aine Cunningham Subs: 19) Niamh Tuite (for Aine Cunningham), 17) Marion Quaid (for Siobhan Tagney) 20) Marie Danagher (for Aishling Scanlon), 22) Sinead Madden (for Leanne Browne), 16) Catherine Fitzgerald, 18) Marie Sheehan
Management: Kieran Shanahan, Ger Curtin, John Power, Ann Fitzgibbon
For further information on Limerick Camogie contact:
Kevin Holmes
PRO Limerick Camogie
www.limerickcamogie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/limerickcamogie
Twitter: @LimCamogie
