Naomh Ciaran find Kilmacud challenge a bridge too far
LGFA: Leinster Senior Club Championship final
Kilmacud Crokes 4-18 Naomh Ciaran 1-10
By Daire Walsh
Naomh Ciaran's hopes of securing a first ever Leinster LGFA senior title were dashed by Kilmacud Crokes, who completed back-to-back provincial crowns on Saturday afternoon with an emphatic triumph at the Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA grounds.
Thanks to goals from Ailbhe Davoren, Niamh Cotter, Julia Buckley and Emma Kane, the Dublin champions comprehensively claimed a second consecutive Leinster title.
Despite team captain Kate Kenny registering 0-8 for Naomh Ciaran, the Offaly outfit couldn’t deny Kilmacud and the Dublin side advanced to an All-Ireland senior championship semi-final against reigning national champions Kilkerrin/Clonberne of Galway.
Inside forwards Michelle Davoren and Eabha Rutledge were key figures during Crokes’ march to top honours in the capital and this dynamic duo bagged two points apiece in the early stages of this contest. Talented dual star Kate Kenny did likewise for Naomh Ciaran with a brace of placed ball efforts, before their Metropolitan counterparts created significant daylight on the scoreboard with a tenth-minute goal by Ailbhe Davoren – following a pass inside by her namesake Michelle.
The title holders were beginning to play with real confidence and grabbed their second major of the action when raiding half-back Kate Murray released Cork native Cotter for a fine finish on 13 minutes.
Either side of the third-quarter mark, Rutledge (two), Ailbhe Davoren and Cotter knocked over unanswered points in advance of Buckley firing home a third Crokes goal in the 22nd minute.
While the influential Kenny (two) and Emma Cahill found the range for Naomh Ciaran, additional points from Michelle Davoren and Rutledge left Kilmacud 3-10 to 0-5 in front at the interval.
Although Kenny got the scoring underway in the second half, Crokes subsequently reasserted their authority with five points on the bounce. The excellent Rutledge added three more scores during this period to supplement a point each from Mia Jennings and Michelle Davoren.
The latter continued to lead the way from full-forward and after appearing off the bench in the second period, Kane left a sizeable impression by contributing a 1-1 salvo. To their credit, the 2019 All-Ireland intermediate club champions persevered with their challenge and midfielder Amy Gavin Mangan hammered a shot to the net on 52 minutes.
Yet with wing-back Niamh Carr also adding her name to the scoresheet, a clinical Kilmacud Crokes secured the provincial silverware in fine style. Afterwards, Kilmacud Crokes captain Emer Sweeney lifted the Bill Daly Cup.
Scorers – Kilmacud Crokes: E Rutledge 0-8 (4f), M Davoren 0-5, N Cotter, A Davoren, E Kane 1-1 each, J Buckley 1-0, N Carr, M Jennings 0-1 each. Naomh Ciaran: K Kenny 0-8 (6f), A Gavin Mangan 1-0, E Cahill, K Rigney 0-1 each.
Kilmacud Crokes: R Fleming; P Greene, E Sweeney, A Kane; S O’Donoghue, K Murray, N Carr; L Magee, G Kos; N Cotter, A Davoren, M Jennings; J Buckley, M Davoren, E Rutledge. Subs: C Regan for Murray (36 mins), A Conroy for Buckley (39), C Sultan for Cotter (40), E Kane for Jennings (49), L Bedford for Greene (52).
Naomh Ciaran: A Maher; A Grehan, L Keena, E Hogan; A Kelly, E Nally, R Ennis; E Maher, A Gavin Mangan; E Cahill, K Kenny, L Kelly; S Fitzgerald, E McEvoy, R Cockram. Subs: K Rigney for L Kelly (h-t), A Spain for A Kelly (53 mins), M Egan for Fitzgerald (55).
Referee: M Hayden (Carlow).