Experienced Armagh that bit too strong for Kildare in camogie clash

Armagh made it two wins from two in the Centra Camogie National League Division 3A League at a cold but dry Manguard Park, Hawkfield, on Saturday afternoon.

In front on a small but vocal attendance, the visitors were in control for most of this game but they took a long time to shake off a determined Kildare side who were just lacking that extra bit, particularly up front.

However manger, Rob O'Neill, in this his first season in charge expressed his happiness with his charges, admitting that they (Kildare) were all aware they would be facing a talented and experienced side in Armagh.

There was a minute silence before the game in honour of Brian and Grace Frisby from Naas who died tragically in a car accident last weekend.

A pity there was no PA in operation to inform those in attendance who the minute's silence was for, the PA facility was available but not availed of, while the game also started without the playing of the National Anthem.

It was the visitors who got off the mark quickest with full forward Sinead Quinn converting a free. The Derrynoose forward was the outstanding player on the field using her strength and accuracy to punish the opposition throughout.

Corrina Doyle extended the lead on three before the visitors found the Kildare net with the no. 14 capitalising after The Lilies netminder, Róisin Roche had made an excellent save — one of many the Naas player made throughout the game — the sliother broke to Quinn who made no mistake from close range to make it 1-2 to 0-0 with five minutes on the clock.

Eight minutes in and The Lilies opened their account, a long ball saw Niamh Mortell gain possession and heading for goals she was fouled, the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Up stepped the experienced Lea Sutton, the Broadford player blasting past Ciarrai Devlin in the Armagh net to make it 1-2 to 1-0.

Sinead Quinn added a free but Kildare hit back with Rebecca McDermott finding Allie McGrath whose effort was pushed out for a 45 which Rebecca McDermott popped over with aplomb.

Róisin Roche made another fine save pushing the ball out for a 45 which Sinead Quinn had no problem converting to make it 1-4 to 1-1 on 21 minutes.

Kildare finished the half with two points, a free from Rebecca McDermott and a point from play from Louise Murphy, with Ciara Hill pointing between those two scores, to leave the half-time score reading Armagh 1-5 Kildare 1-3.

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A goal within three minutes of the start, again from Sinead Quinn, quickly followed by a converted free from the same player and The Lilies now trailed 2-6 to 1-3, but Rob O'Neill's side certainly did not throw in the towel by any stretch and while they never threatened big time on the score board, they did enjoy plenty of possession.

A foul on Louise Murphy saw Rebecca McDermott pop over and another foul on Murphy saw the same response from McDermott making it 2-6 to 1-5 with 42 minutes on the clock.

Armagh, though, finished the stronger knocking over a further four points, Kildare's response was another converted free from the impressive, and accurate, Rebecca McDermott making the final score line Armagh 2-10 Kildare 1-6.

Some fine displays from the girls in white, Shauna Dunne and Sadhbh Horgan certainly caught the eye as did Louise Murphy, Rebecca McDermott and Lea Sutton.

Scorers: Armagh, Sinead Quinn 2-4 (3 frees, 45), Ciara Hill 0-4, Corrina Doyle 0-1, Rachel Trainor 0-1.

Kildare, Lea Sutton 1-1 (penalty, free); Rebecca McDermott 0-4 (3 frees, 45), Louise Murphy 0-1.

ARMAGH: Ciarrai Devlin; Michelle McCann, Gemma McCann, Meabh O'Hare; Eimear O'Kane, Fiadhna Loughran, Niamh Forker; Eimear McGeary, Katie Convie; Eimear Smyth, Corrina Doyle, Ciara Hill; Rachel Trainor, cpt., Sinead Quinn, Tierna Maxwell. Subs: Naoise Hughes for Tierna Maxwell (52 minutes).

KILDARE: Roisin Roche; Shauna Dunne, Niamh Hegarty, Sadhbh Horgan; Caoimhe O'Sullivan, Aine Conway, Kate Murphy; Louise Murphy, Sara Carroll; Rebecca McDermott, Lea Sutton, Aoife Stynes; Aoife McDermott, Allie McGrath, Niamh Mortell. Subs: Laura Edwards for Aoife McDermott (28 minutes); Sadhbh Buckley for Louise Murphy (43 minutes); Michelle Brogan for Sara Carroll (46 minutes); Laoise Mimnagh for Niamh Hegarty (50 minutes): Kelly Bracken for Niamh Mortell (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Alan Doheny, Laois.

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