Athenry remain queens of Camogie

Date Published: 29-Oct-2009

REIGNING County champions Athenry achieved another milestone in the club’s illustrious history when completing the coveted four-in-arow of Galway titles against a determined Killimor outfit in the Loughrea Hotel & Spa senior camogie final at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday.

In what was a keenly contested final between the dominant and emerging forces in Galway camogie, it was always going to take a couple of moments of brilliance to separate these two sides. Killimor lacking the same level of fluency which brought them to their first ever senior final managed only a single score in the first half and this proved their ultimate downfall.

In contrast, Athenry tagged on crucial scores to their tally in the second period when it was their turn to face the elements. The contest, itself, lacked nothing by the way of heart, commitment and spirit. Both sides defended vigorously, contesting every ball with fervour. A final that was slow to catch fire, finished in a blaze of excitement.

There were outstanding individual performances in the maroon and white all over the park on Sunday, but the display of Athenry forward Therese Maher embodied the skill, hunger and fighting spirit of the entire Athenry outfit.

The opening exchanges signalled the desire to win amongst both sides with no quarter neither asked nor given. In total, four yellow cards were handed out by referee Fintan McNamara, underlining the physicality and ferociousness of the action. It was no surprise then that 17 minutes had elapsed before the opening score arrived – a free from Laura Linnane.

Athenry edged further in front thanks in the main to midfielder Linnane who floated over a ’45 before providing the delivery for the game’s opening goal. Killimor’s defence failed to clear the danger despite the mass of black and amber shirts crowded in the goal area and with the deftest of touches Athenry’s Mary Keogh sent their faithful following into jubilation.

Subsequently, Athenry rattled off three unanswered points in a productive four minute spell – Laura Linnane (free), Mary Keogh and Sarah Donoghue the victor’s providers. All of sudden there was nine between the sides and Killimor hadn’t engineered a shot at goal in over a quarter of an hour.

But entering first half stoppage the powerful Brenda Hanney shrugged of the attentions of four Athenry defenders before unleashing a bullet that was excellently stopped by ‘keeper Stephanie Gannon in the Athenry goals. However, Martina Conroy pounced on the rebound and kicked into the empty net for Killimor’s first score on 31 minutes.

Athenry’s 1-6 to1-0 lead, while solid, wasn’t an insurmountable target for the Killimor women and the first ten minutes of the second period was to see the course of the decider switch definitely in their favour.

Wing forward Susan Keane started the revival with the score of the day. Catching a clearance from Stephanie Gannon, Keane split the posts with an effort from underneath the stand. The score settled Killimor and they began to stamp their authority on proceedings with the likes of Ann Marie Hayes and Brenda Hanney to the fore.

Linnane replied with a free, but the Conroy sisters, Claire and Martina, registered three points from the placed ball as Killimor edged out tussles all over the field. But then came arguably the key moment of the match.

Trailing by three, Martina Conroy was presented with a prime opportunity to narrow the deficit to two with a free from the 20m line, but the Galway intermediate star instead opted to shoot for goal. The shot superbly saved by Gannon, deflected off the crossbar and Athenry gained the momentum from the incident.

Midge Glynn’s charges rattled of three unanswered points from Laura Linnane (free), Mary Keogh and Sarah Donoghue and then followed the game’s second crucial moment with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

A booming clearance from Maher was seized by the fleet footed Mary Keogh who raced through at speed before driving to the net. Credit to Killimor they did rally in the ensuing minutes. Ann Marie Starr and Eimear Haverty combined to set up Brenda Hanney in a one on one confrontation with Gannon, the full forward, finished low and clinically to the net. Hanney added a point thereafter, but Brenda Keirns rubber-stamped the victory with a late point.

Stephanie Gannon delivered a matsterclass in goalkeeping, while Dorelle Coen, Katherine Glynn, Krystle Ruddy and in particular Regina Glynn were outstanding in defence. Laura Linnane was the top midfielder on show, exhibiting a terrific free taking ability, while Katie O’Dwyer, the lionhearted Therese Maher and Mary Keogh were the major contributors in a hardworking Athenry attack.

As for Killimor, they have a great deal to be proud of. Sure it wasn’t to be their day on Sunday, but the psychological barrier they crossed in reaching the final will stand them in good stead in the years to
come. For, they are a predominantly youthful outfit littered with emerging talent.

Ann Marie Hayes and Marie Duane led the lines well, while Susan Keane, Ann Marie Starr and Eimear Haverty (second half) toiled diligently around the forty. The powerful Brenda Hanney was involved in almost all of Killimor scores and although switched to the half forward line for a period of the match, always looked a dangerous threat when in possession.