Newmarket on Fergus 2-10
Inagh-Kilnamona 1-07
Venue: Inagh-Kilnamona
Referee: Noel Quinn
In a repeat of last year’s county final, this league match between Inagh Kilnamona and Newmarket was always going to be a closely contested game. The game played in Inagh on a glorious sunny evening, with the only downside being a low hanging sun making it difficult for players to see the flight of the ball.
Newmarket played into the sun in the first half, but it was Inagh Kilnamona that were first on the score board thanks to a free converted by full forward Amy Keating. Newmarket responded with two great points from play from wing forward Michelle McMahon. Keating again levelled up matters with a well taken point from play. On stroke of the ten-minute mark, a long high ball from wing back Sinead Quinn deceived Newmarket’s goal keeper and went straight to the back of the net, leaving a goal between the sides. However, the goal was the catalyst for Newmarket, as they pushed on hurling with an increased level of intensity and purpose. A superb point from wing back Carol O’Leary was followed up with another great point from midfielder Lorraine Bible. Inagh Kilnamona’s corner forward Aoibhinn Ryan scored Inagh Kilnamona’s third point to race into a two point lead heading into the final ten minutes. It was wing forward McMahon again who slotted her third point to leave the minimum between the sides. Keating and Kaiser exchanged frees to a leave a one point game at the interval.
The sides were level 1-4 to 7 points within a few minutes of the second half thanks to a point from play from Rachel Kelleher. Inagh Kilnamona dug dig and tagged on two points from Amy Keating and Laura Rynne. Immediately after, Newmarket struck for their first goal of the match, thanks to the great poaching skills of full forward Zoe McInerney. Inagh Kilnamona again responded with another fine point from centre forward Sinead O’Loughlin, which was to prove to be their final score of the game. A point from substitute Jenny Kelly was followed up by a wondrous goal from Laura McMahon. Both McMahon and Kelleher added further points from placed balls to leave the final score – Newmarket 2-10 to Inagh Kilnamona 1-7.
The game was an exciting game for spectators played to an exceptional high standard. For Newmarket Lorraine Bible, Laura McMahon, Michelle McMahon and Niki Kaiser shone brightest on the day whilst for Inagh Kilnamona, Amy Keating, Sinead Quinn and Laoise Ryan had excellent performances.
Newmarket-On-Fergus; Niamh Gleeson; Aoife Griffin, Roisin McMahon, Katie O’Flanagan; Carol O’Leary (0-1), Laura McMahon (1-01); Aimee McInerney, Joanne Walsh, Lorraine Bible (0-1); Rachel Kelleher (0-2), Niki Kaiser (0-1), Michelle McMahon (0-3); Zoe McInerney (1-0), Sharon McMahon, Kate Clancy. Subs: Jenny Kelly (0-1), Aislinn Keogh, Brid Enright, Kira O’Flanagan.
Inagh-Kilnamona; Rebecca Keating; Orlaith Cotter, Jane Fitzgerald, Michelle Mescall; Sinead Quinn (1-0), Clare Hehir, Laoise Ryan; Andrea O’Keeffe, Laura Rynne (0-1); Fiona Lafferty, Sinead O’Loughlin (0-1), Sinead Power; Aoibhinn Ryan (0-1), Amy Keating (0-4), Claire Commane.