Mighty McDonald steers Knockananna to Wicklow Junior camogie championship title

Éire Óg 2-2

The Junior camogie team of Knockananna fulfilled their role in a double victory in the early throw-in at Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Sunday morning. Leading from the front with the extremely accurate Aine McDonald firing over eight scores, Knockananna held firm every time Éire Óg pushed them close and ran out very deserving winners. McDonald had Knockananna up and running in the third minute after converting a free that she had earned herself. Ably assisting the Knockananna ace was Áine D’Arcy and she turned over an Éire Óg break from defence and fed McDonald who doubled the lead. Another free from McDonald after a foul on Aishling Fleming ensured a perfect start with three scores from three attacks. Knockananna almost had a goal for themselves, but Éire Óg’s Ellie O’Neill was equal to Siobhan Mulhall’s effort in the 10th minute.

From the clearance, Éire Óg attacked,and a long ball found corner-forward Angela O’Leary out in front. O’Leary ran a direct route at the Knockananna goal and fired a bullet to the back of the net. Knockananna were treading a fine line a minute later but a superb block by Deirdre O’Brien prevented another goalbound effort from reaching its intended destination. Aine D’Arcy was a real threat for Knockananna and her direct style resulted in another point for her side when she elected to slot over a point in the 16th minute. Ciara Patrick and Aine McDonald traded frees for both sides coming up to 20 minutes of action before the all-important major for Knockananna. A pass from Aishling Fleming towards Ciara Byrne was flicked on superbly into the path of Áine D’Arcy who this time went for the juggler and fired a powerful effort to the back of the Éire Óg net. The Greystones side responded with a fine score from Isobel O’Sullivan who was expertly picked out by Ciara Patrick and with half-time approaching, Knockananna had full-back Tara McDonald to thank for blocking another Éire Óg shot. Knockananna had a lot of strong performances in the opening period with Grace and Alice Mulhall with Zoe Katus putting in a serious amount of work in the middle third. Ciara Stokes was listed in the number 15 jersey but operated much further back in the full-back lines at times and was a steady presence for her side. Siobhan D’Arcy for Éire Óg was in a hotly contested battle with Jackie Kinch with both players a platform for attacks for both sides with Ciara Patrick and Angela O’Leary a real danger for Éire Óg throughout also. Another player who was to the fore for Knockananna was Aishling Fleming who got on the end of a long Aine McDonald free in the opening minute of the half to push the lead for Knockananna out to four. A well-picked out free by Siobhan D’Arcy straight into the path of Ciara Patrick set Éire Óg on their next attack. Patrick showed speed and skill to attack along the sideline and fire a powerful effort towards the Knockananna goal area and into the back of the net to make it a one-point game. Knockananna responded in a very positive way with a free from Aine McDonald a minute later. Isobel O’Sullivan and Ellie O’Malley covered an ocean of ground around the field for the women for Greystones and they were very effective in preventing balls from getting inside to the dangerous Áine D’Arcy for Knockananna. D’Arcy had a shot at goal batted away from the goal-line for a 45 which was converted by McDonald, and she added a score from play and another from a placed ball to round out the scoring in the 51st minute. However, the last couple of minutes of action would see Éire Óg launch a number of attacks at the Knockananna goal in search of a valuable goal. Ciara Patrick drove a powerful free towards the Knockananna goal but in a swarm of hurls, it was a Knockananna one that kept it from hitting the back of the net and out for a 45. The 45 was dropped in and when it eventually maneuvered into a free position, an Éire Óg boot kicked the ball wide and with it, the last real chance for their side. Knockananna ran out five-point winners and so, the perfect day for Knockananna began. Éire Óg Greystones: Ellie O’Neill; Bronagh Daly, Helen O’Driscoll, Sarah Hayes; Joellen Hanley, Siobhan D’Arcy, Lucy Daly; Isobel O’Sullivan (0-1), Ellie O’Malley; Camilla Robinson, Suzanne Behan, Ciara Patrick (1-1, 0-1f); Clodagh Kinasewitz, Florence Fogarty, Angel O’Leary (1-0); Grainne Megannety for F Fogarty, Hazel Roche for S Behan, Michele Le May for L Daly. Knockananna: Kathleen D’Arcy; Ciara Stokes, Tara McDonald, Deirdre O’Brien; Kate Hatton, Grace Mulhall, Deirdre Lancaster; Alice Mulhall, Zoe Katus; Ciara Byrne, Jackie Kinch, Aishling Fleming (0-1); Aine McDonald (0-8, 5frees, 1, 45), Aine D’Arcy (1-1), Siobhan Mulhall; Kayla Tighe for S Mulhall Referee: John Keenan (Aughrim)