Mullagh’s fast start enough to ensure a repeat of the 2013 decider

Mullagh 2-8

Killimor 1-9

Early goals in both halves last Sunday cemented Mullagh a second consecutive Lough Rea Hotel & Spa county senior camogie final appearance as they finally managed a knockout victory over Killimor.

After a final defeat in 2010 and at this stage two years ago, Mullagh needed a strong start against the 2011 All-Ireland champions and the first half began perfectly with 1-3 scored in the opening seven minutes before substitute Alison Clarke got a second goal straight after half-time.

A strong wind in St Brendan’s Park proved a major factor but Pakie Dervan’s outfit took full advantage.  Rachel Monaghan tapped two frees but when Aoife Donohue created space for a strike to the net on four minutes, Killimor were on alert.

Monaghan added a point from play for Mullagh’s cushion but the tactical play unfolding was just as intriguing. Killimor dropped Emer Haverty back to restrict Donohue; Ann Marie Hayes took up the role of sweeper; and Brenda Hanney operated around the middle of the field. For the rest of the half, it worked well for Martin Fahy’s team as Mullagh didn’t score again from play.

Denise Starr opened Killimor’s account in the 13th minute before Martina Conroy added a free but Killimor needed to be doing more damage on the scoreboard despite the elements. In an opening period which saw many players receive treatment, the game was lacking a flow as neither side wanted to concede momentum, but two late placed balls from Mullagh would have a major say.

After failing to score for 24 minutes, Sinead Cahalan gave them a lift in the 31st minute when she split the posts from inside her own half. And in the ninth minute of added time, Monaghan sent over her fourth for a 1-5 to 0-2 interval advantage. All Killimor’s hard work hadn’t reduced the gap though the strong wind favouring them seemed to compensate their deficit.

However, it’s often said the first score after the break is critical, especially for the side chasing. Mullagh struck a major blow 44 seconds into the second half. Clarke, who’d only been introduced for the injured Leona Monaghan, got inside her defender to get the major and at 2-5 to 0-2, Mullagh had some distance.

Killimor had returned to an orthodox formation with Hanney at corner forward and Hayes at 11.  Despite the setback, they didn’t panic bringing the margin back to 2-6 to 0-8 with six minutes remaining.  Ann Marie Starr pointed, Conroy added two frees before Colette Glennon took Patricia Manning’s pass on 42 minutes for a 2-6 to 0-5 advantage.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.