Kildare claim Leinster 'B' Camogie Championship with extra-time win

Kildare 3-15

Laois 3-11 (AET)

It took extra-time to separate Kildare and Laois in their absorbing Leinster Minor “B” Camogie final clash on Sunday. Kildare would run out eventual winners following a blistering spell in extra-time where they notched 1-3 without reply.

The Lilywhites’ scoring spell would be enough to see them hold on and claim the title in extra-time following a dramatic encounter.

Kildare got a whirlwind start to extra-time with points from substitute Neasa McPhillips and a superb goal from Rebecca McDermott. Although Laois pulled a goal back at the start of the second period of extra time, Kildare weren’t going to be pegged back as Emily Mahon and Roise Hennessy raised white flags to ensure that the title would go Kildare's way.

It could have all been so different as the eventual winners trailed by three points heading into injury time. Kildare corner-forward Ciara Ryan would find the net in exceptional style to draw the sides level and keep hopes of a Leinster title alive.

Ryan’s point wouldn’t be the last twist in the tail before the sides headed into extra time. Laois substitute Ella Phelan hit a fine score that looked certain to be the game-winner as it sailed between the posts.

However, Kildare would have one last opportunity to level as they earned a free at the other end. Kildare star Rebecca McDermott stepped up to the potentially provincial title deciding set-piece and slotted it between the posts to send the game into extra-time at 2-9 a piece.

The Lilywhites were on the back foot for large swathes of this game and trailed 1-2 to no score before the game had reached the five-minute mark. The Laois goal was scored by full-forward Kaylee O’Keefe, who was outstanding on the day and contributed 3-6 to her side’s overall 3-11 total. O’Keefe can consider herself unlucky to be on the losing side following an incredible final performance.

Kildare were never out of this game despite trailing at various points and managed to get themselves in front in the 19th minute when Anna Coburn found the net for her side. The lead wouldn’t last too long as Laois won themselves a penalty before the break. Their star forward Kaylee O’Keefe stepped up and made no mistake in finding the net.

The sides went in at the break with Laois holding a narrow lead at 2-3 to 1-5.

O’Keefe would stretch the Laois lead out to three points just after the break with a couple of fine scores. It would be a gap that the leading side would maintain up until injury-time when Ciara Ryan found the net for Kildare. Kildare would of course kick on extra-time to claim the 2024 Leinster Minor “B” Camogie Championship.

Best for eventual winners was of course top-scorer Rebecca McDermott who scored just under half of Kildare's points total, as well as grabbing a crucial goal.

Ciara Ryan got the all important goal that bridged the gap between the sides that Laois held for so much of the second half.
There were exceptional performances across the field for the now Leinster champions as they came away victorious from a final for the ages.

Anna Coburn was also amongst the goals as Kildare spread them across the team while Kaylee O'Keefe kept Laois ahead in this game. Laois led for much of this game, but that is only further testament to the heart in this Kildare side.

Scorers: Kildare, Rebecca McDermott 1-7 (0-3 frees, 0-1 45’), Ciara Ryan 1-1, Anna Coburn 1-0, Emily Mahon 0-3, Neasa McPhillips 0-2, Roise Hennessy 0-1, Orlaith McNeil 0-1.

Laois, Kaylee O’Keefe 3-6 (1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees), Aoife Kirby 0-2, Ella Phelan 0-1, Aoife Daly 0-1 (0-1 45’), Katelyn Shore 0-1 (0-1 45’).

KILDARE: Tiarna Kinahan; Aoife Mullally, Rachel Byrne, Micheala Farrell; Aoife Keane, Sadhbh Buckley, Hannah Enright; Louise Murphy, Roise Hennesy; Rebecca McDermott, Hannah Finnerty, Rianna Cribbin; Ciara Ryan, Anna Coburn, Orlaith McNeill. Subs: Neasa McPhillips for Hannah Finnerty (Half-time), Emily Mahon for Rianna Cribbin (45 minutes), Tara Christie for Orlaith McNeill (70 minutes).

LAOIS: Mia Henderson; Julieann Bennett, Kate Phelan, Eimear Conroy; Ella Cuddy, Katelyn Shore, Eva Carroll; Sinead Slevin, Lucy Conroy; Catherine Kirby, Aoife Daly, Caoimhe Cuddy; Aoibheann Stynes, Kaylee O'Keeffe 3-6 (1-0 pen, 2fs), Aoife Kirby. Subs: Aoife Gee for Aoibheann Stynes (36 minutes), Ella Phelan for Eva Carroll 53 (minutes), Lucy Donoghue for Sinead Slevin (55 minutes), Aoife Delaney for Eimear Conroy (66 minutes).

Referee: Jason Buckley (Dublin)