Offaly Begin Camogie Campaign With Impressive Win

Tuesday, 25 February 2025 09:21

Amy Byrne sets up an Offaly attack in Sunday's Division 2A clash against Kerry

The midlanders scored the only goal of the game in the second half.

Offaly got their Camogie League campaign off to a good start with a comprehensive 1-17 to 0-11 win over Kerry in their Division 2A clash in Birr on Saturday last.

A major difference between the sides was Offaly’s ability to create scores from open play throughout the game. Offaly scored 10 points from play in addition to their 1-7 from placed balls. In contrast, 8 of Kerry’s 11 points were frees from the stick of Patrice Diggan and while they tried hard, they created very little outside of that over the course of the game. Offaly will be pleased with the result and although they still have plenty to work on, a win in the first game is always welcome. The result was very different to the opening day of last year’s league where defeat to Westmeath put them on the back foot for the remainder of the league campaign. The win on Saturday means that they can travel to Derry next weekend in a positive mindset.

Offaly had the aid of the strong breeze in the first half and it was a tight enough affair for the opening 20 minutes. Whilst Offaly were probably playing the better camogie during that period, the concession of a number of frees in scoreable areas meant that the scoreboard at that stage read 0-7 to 0-5 in favour of the home side. Offaly finished the half well though and the addition of 5 further points to Kerry’s solitary reply meant that they enjoyed a half time lead of 0-12 to 0-6. The question that all in attendance were asking was would it be enough against the wind in the second half.

Offaly worked very hard during the second period. They stopped conceding easy frees in defensive areas and actually extended their lead as the half wore on. The result was put beyond doubt with 8 minutes left when Offaly got their goal from a penalty. The award of the penalty was unusual in itself as Grainne Kennedy was actually in the process of scoring a goal when the referee called back play to award the penalty for an earlier foul rather than play advantage. It mattered little, as Clodagh Leahy calmly dispatched her shot to the back of the net.

Offaly used their bench well, giving game time to a lot of players. Over the course of the entire game, 5 players made their Senior debuts which should be a bonus as the season progresses.