Clonkill secure commanding victory over Drumraney

Defending senior champions Clonkill continued their winning start to the Senior Camogie Championship with a comprehensive victory over Drumraney at home on Sunday morning. Clonkill came into the second round with confidence following their impressive 3-17 to 0-4 victory over Raharney in the opening round, while Drumraney were looking to bounce back after narrowly missing out against Lough Lene Gaels.

Both sides began brightly and competed fiercely for possession, but it was Clonkill who settled first. Lucy Power opened the scoring with a point and quickly added another before Rebecca Dowdall raised the game’s first green flag in the seventh minute. Three minutes later, Chloe Galligan won a free for Clonkill after being fouled by Drumraney’s Cara Fitzpatrick.

Katie McDonnell stepped up and converted to leave Clonkill 1-3 to 0-0 ahead.

Drumraney eventually got on the scoreboard when Kate Whyte converted a free, but Clonkill continued to threaten. Some excellent interplay among the Clonkill forwards created an opportunity for Rebecca Dowdall, although her effort went narrowly wide. Clonkill regained possession from the resulting puck-out and Chloe Galligan made no mistake with her next opportunity, sending the ball over the bar. McDonnell added another point from a free after 15 minutes as Clonkill moved 1-5 to 0-1 ahead.

The home side looked comfortable, although Drumraney was given a let-off when Megan Dowdall’s first attempt at goal went wide. Drumraney responded strongly with three unanswered scores over the next three minutes to reduce the deficit. McDonnell settled Clonkill’s nerves with another converted free before the interval, leaving the champions five points ahead at half-time, 1-6 to 0-4.

Despite their lead, Clonkill had not quite reached the levels of their opening-round performance, while Drumraney worked tirelessly and applied plenty of pressure. The visitors struggled to find a way through a disciplined Clonkill defence, but remained very much in contention at the break.

Any hopes Drumraney had of reducing the deficit early in the second half were dealt a major blow within the opening minute.

Lucy Power, operating around halfway, struck a high ball towards the target with the intention of putting it over the bar. Instead, the sliotar dropped short and found its way into the back of the net, giving Clonkill a fortuitous but valuable goal. Drumraney was immediately presented with an opportunity to respond when they were awarded a free. Kate Whyte stepped up, but her effort struck the upright at a crucial moment for the visitors.

Clonkill quickly turned defence into attack once again. A swift move out of defence ended with Lucy Power finding Rebecca Dowdall, who was running at pace alongside her. Dowdall took the pass and calmly sent the ball between the posts. That was Lucy’s final contribution as she was replaced six minutes into the second half by Rosaleen Daly, having finished with an impressive personal tally of 1-3. Clonkill continued to turn the screw and Megan Dowdall soon raised her first green flag of the afternoon, extending the lead to 3-9 to 0-4.

Her second goal followed just minutes later as the champions began to pull clear. Chloe Galligan was also enjoying an outstanding morning and added a number of scores, including a goal and four points. Holly Dowdall got her name on the scoresheet with just over ten minutes remaining as Clonkill continued to dominate.

There was no let-up from the champions in the closing stages. Two further goals, from Galligan and Megan Dowdall, along with three more points, underlined Clonkill’s dominance as they finished the game in relentless fashion.

The Drumraney players were unfortunate not to register a score in the second half, but that was largely down to the immense pressure applied by Clonkill. The champions attacked every breakdown, provided excellent support for the player in possession and used a number of clever set plays to ensure Drumraney could never build any sustained momentum

It was another impressive display from the defending champions, who showed both their attacking quality and defensive discipline to maintain their perfect start to the championship.

Scorers:

Clonkill: Megan Dowdall 3-01, Chloe Galligan 1-04, Lucy Power 1-03, Katie McDonnell 0-05 (4fr-1pl) , Rebecca Dowdall 1-01, Holly Dowdall 0-01. Drumraney: Sally Ryan 0-02, Kate Whyte 0-01, Annemarie Moran 0-01

Drumraney: Sinead Ni Shuilleabain, Cara Nic Giollaphadraig, Amy Ni Murchu, Mairead Ni Mairtin, Orlaith Ni Crabhain, Chloe Ni Moran, Aine Bracken, Aine Ni Lionn, Aimee Ni Dunican, Kate Whyte, Annemarie Ni Moran, Erin O’ Faolain, Sally Ni Riain, Ciara Dolan, Teamhair Ni hAodha.

Subs: Riobhaca O’ Cathain, Emma Ni Meiscill, Eabha MicGiollaphadraig, Amy Ni hAodha, Orla Breachnach, Zara Moran, Nicole McKenna, Clodagh Ni Chadhla.

Bainisteori: Sharon Behan, Coireall Mac an Chrosain, Nicholas O’Ciorba, Fiontan O’ Mairtin, Eibhlin Shaori.

Clonkill: Aisling Egerton, Ellen Flanagan, Kristabella Tamosiunaite, Holly Dudal, Clar Ni Gamhna, Alanna Ni Cuagain, Caoimhe Coogan, Ciara Ni Dulain, Katie McDonnell, Laoiseach de Paor, Chloe O’ Gealagain, Megan Dudal, Rebecca Ni Doinn, Evie Kilmurray, Subs: Roisin Ni Dalaigh, Annemarie O’ Reilly, Cara Ni Fionnagain, Aoibheann O’Floinn, Ali Ni Braonain, Ella MacMuireartaigh.

Player of the Match:

Chloe Galligan put in an impressive performance scoring 1-04 and worked relentlessly across the field. It was extremely difficult to choose as there were many strong performances for the Loughegar side.