Kilkenny claimed only their second intermediate camogie All-Ireland title at the expense of a strong Cork team in blustery conditions at Croke Park on Sunday.
Trailing by four points at the break, it was a three-goal second half turnaround including a huge brace from Ballyhale’s Keeva Fennelly along with some stellar defending (and a bit of luck with two Cork wides) that tipped the game in Kilkenny’s favour.
Cork laid down the early marker with scores from Rachel O’Shea and Linda Collins while Kilkenny failed to register a score from open play in the first half, their three points at half time coming from the free taking of Ciara Holden.
With almost as many wides as frees scored, the pressure was mounting on Kilkenny in the second half but two quickfire goals from Fennelly following an opening goal early in the second half from Dicksboro’s Jenny Clifford set Kilkenny on their way for a monumental win ahead of the senior game.
Keeva Fennelly was named as the Liberty Insurance Player of the Match
“It’s a great honour for me to accept this cup for such a gallant Kilkenny team” is how Tullaroan’s Áine Fahey started her speech, closely followed by “in January you told us we were going to win the All-Ireland, and we laughed at you”. Way to go turn it around.
Story developing.
Cork Scorers
Linda Collins 1-05, Rachel O’Shea 0-04, Finola Neville 0-01, Keeva McCarthy 0-01
Kilkenny Scorers
Ciara Holden 0-05, Jenny Clifford 1-00, Keeva Fennelly 2-00, Aine Fahey 0-01
https://twitter.com/richiehogan8/status/774977939855249413
Congratulations to Ms. Walsh and Kilkenny on their victory in the All Ireland camogie final. Super achievement.
— Queen of Universe NS (@qofuns) September 11, 2016
First part of the Camogie double secured for @KilkennyCamogie . Brilliant second half by Keeva Fennelly. #camogie
— David Herity (@DavidHerity) September 11, 2016
.@KilkennyCamogie win the @LibertyIRL All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship Final by a point! Some comeback! pic.twitter.com/ICYMopuJYY
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) September 11, 2016
Happier @KilkennyCLG people at @CrokePark this Sunday. One up, one to go #camogie #kilkenny #AllIrelandFinal pic.twitter.com/D69yQkRYgz
— sean de paore (@seandepaore) September 11, 2016
All Ireland #camogie title coming home to Kilkenny. Well done to the intermediates! Hopefully seniors can do the double #AllIrelandFinal
— Ciara Ní Ch (@CNiChuinn) September 11, 2016
Great win for Kilkenny Camogie Intermediate team in Croke Park. Came alive in 2nd half.#OurGameYourGame
— Lucy Keaveney (@Luighseach) September 11, 2016
Congratulations to @KilkennyCamogie on winning All Ireland intermediate final. Big shout out to student Katie Nolan who was Centre Back
— SETU Carlow GAA (@SETUCarlowGAA_) September 11, 2016
Congratulations to the Kilkenny intermediate Camogie team on a fantastic win 👏🏻 #CorkvsKilkenny #gaa #camogie
— Kilmacow Camogie (@KilmacowCamogie) September 11, 2016
Then there was this…
Serious disrespect out of @CorkCamogie intermediates turning their back on @KilkennyCamogie winning presentation! 😡@TheSundayGame
— Valerie Dempsey (@DempseyVal) September 11, 2016
