Knockmore 2-13
Kilmovee 2-6
Knockmore
Eoin Horkan
There was no shortage of twists and turns in this senior semi-final as Knockmore and Kilmovee traded blows in an absorbing contest, with the outcome remaining in doubt well into the second half.
Kilmovee looked to have positioned themselves for a place in the decider when they held the advantage after a lively opening half and continued to threaten after the restart. Knockmore, however, refused to let the game slip and produced a decisive burst in the final quarter to turn the contest firmly in their favour.
The introduction of Mia Traynor proved particularly influential, while captain Lara Sweeney led from the front as Knockmore turned the game on its head in a devastating closing spell.
Both sides had early opportunities before Hannah Reape opened the scoring for Knockmore with a well-taken point.
The hosts soon began to settle and, with Kilmovee struggling to convert their chances, Knockmore took advantage.
Sweeney opened her account before Amy O’Connor and Shauna Howley added more scores to leave Knockmore four points clear inside the opening fifteen minutes.
Kilmovee gradually worked their way back into the contest, with Shauna Golden finally getting them off the mark from a placed ball.
The visitors' pressure began to tell as half-time approached and they were level with eight minutes remaining in the opening half.
A dangerous ball from Sinead Cafferky into the Knockmore defence was finished to the net by sister Lisa Cafferky, bringing the sides level and giving Kilmovee considerable momentum.
The east Mayo side then struck again in dramatic fashion.
Golden sent over a long-range free that somehow found its way into the Knockmore net, leaving the home side stunned and Kilmovee supporters celebrating.
Knockmore responded before the break, however, with Reape powering through the centre before splitting the posts.
That left two points between the teams at half-time, with Kilmovee holding the advantage.
Whatever was said in the Knockmore dressing room had the desired effect.
They emerged from the interval with renewed intent and Sweeney quickly took centre stage.
The Knockmore captain registered three scores in succession, one from play and two from frees, as the home side began to eat into Kilmovee's advantage.
Golden wasn't finished either, though, and two more scores from the Kilmovee attacker were followed by another point from Sinead Cafferky.
With thirteen minutes remaining, Kilmovee appeared to have regained control.
Then came the decisive intervention from the Knockmore bench.
Traynor was introduced and immediately brought a new intensity to the Knockmore attack. Her impact was almost instantaneous as O'Connor narrowed the gap before Traynor turned provider.
Twice she won possession from Kilmovee kick-outs and on both occasions Knockmore punished the mistake.
Sweeney was first to benefit, finding the net, before Clodagh Keane followed suit as Knockmore hit two goals in quick succession.
Suddenly, a game that had looked to be slipping away from Knockmore had been transformed.
There was still drama to come.
Reape was shown a yellow card with five minutes remaining, meaning Knockmore would have to see out the closing stages with fourteen players.
Rather than retreat, they continued to attack.
Traynor added another point before Sweeney and Sarah Mulvihill also found the target as Knockmore stretched their advantage.
Kilmovee managed a late response through Tori Duffy, but there was to be no way back for the visitors.
Howley had the final say, completing the scoring as Knockmore secured their place in the senior final.
It was a hugely impressive response from Knockmore, who showed character after falling behind and produced their best football when the contest was on the line.
Sweeney's contribution was central, while Traynor's arrival from the bench proved a key moment as Knockmore eventually pulled clear.
Their reward is a place in the senior final in two weeks' time, where Burrishrule awaits.
Knockmore:Grace Naughton;Caitlin Burke,Emily Hughes,Siofragh Kelly;Emily Reaper,Roisin Flynn,Nina McVann:Sarah Mulvihill(0-1),Hannah Reape(0-2);Ciara Durkan,Shauna Howley(0-2),Sarah Dempsey;Amy O’Connor(0-2),Clodagh Keane(1-0),Lara Sweeney(1-6).
Subs Used:M Traynor for Kelly (35), M Breslin for Dempsey (52), Á Clarke for Sweeney (58).
Kilmovee:Méabh Lavin;Rebecca Towey,Ava Horgan,Serena Hanley;Anna Mai Regan,Lynda Hanley,Ilana Phillips;Sinead Cafferky(0-1),Leah McCugh;Katelyn Regan, Shauna Golden(1-4),Lucia McDonnell;Tori Duffy(0-1),Lisa Cafferky(1-0),Saerlaith Dillon.
Subs Used:L Foley for Phillips(35),A Conway for Hanley(54),Elise Phillips for Dillon (58)
Referee Kevin Corcoran
Players of the Match
Lara Sweeney: The Knockmore captain led from the front her 1-5 along with the pressure she put on the opposition meant that the rest of her side would follow in kind.
No comments:
Post a Comment