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St. Rynagh's End Two Year Wait To Climb Hogan Steps

Monday, 7 March 2022 14:26

By Sally Hurley

Photo Credit: John Gavin

The Banagher outfit have been on an incredible journey since 2019.

Salthill Knocknacarra 2-6 

St Rynaghs 5-14 

Five county titles, four Leinster titles, two out of three All-Ireland titles in the past three years – it is a phenomenal journey for a small camogie club in the past five years. St Rynaghs were deserving of their second All Ireland title in a row, after a very tight semi-final against Waterford’s Gailltir and very quick turn around from winning the 2020 final in January.  The team could be forgiven for showing signs of tiredness, given the non stop workload they have had but not this St Rynaghs group. Every puck of the ball was accurate, ruthless and they only had winning on their mind. On a day that was a perfect Spring day with bright sunshine but a cutting breeze in Croke Park, St Rynaghs were at their best and beyond Salthill Knocknacarra’s reach. 

Salthill/Knocknacarra opened the scoring with a point from Aoife Kelly but St Rynaghs were not fazed by the first few of minute's pressure from the Galway side. They did not have long to wait before they got their first score when Linda Sullivan spotted Siobhan Flannery all on her own on the edge of the square and the number 15 made no mistake in burying the ball in the back of the net. Kate Kenny was brought down at the edge of the square shortly afterwards and took the free herself to put 3 points between the teams with 9 minutes gone. Mairead Daly was on fire throughout the game and was rewarded on the scoreboard after another blistering run through the Galway defence and put the sliotar through the legs of Vicky Flanagan in the Salthill Knocknacarra goals. Kate Kenny hit a brace of points from play which were followed by Roisin Egan and Linda Sullivan extending their team’s lead.  While Rynaghs were dominant in all positions at this early stage, things got worse for the tribes women when Emma Madden was dismissed for a second yellow card. To add to Salthill Knocknacarra’s misery, only seconds later a lobbed ball in from Katie O’Connell found it’s way past Vicky Flanagan and into her net to leave the score reading 3-5 to 0-1 and even before half time the game was over as a contest.  

Salthill Knocknacarra did go on to add 2 points before half time with St Rynaghs adding another 4 points to their tally. 

After the break Salthill Knocknacarra seemed to play with the shackles off and managed to keep St Rynaghs scoreless until the 12th minute of the half. Rynaghs went on to score a further 2-5 with Siobhan Flannery and Kate Kenny hitting the back of the net. The Galway team matched Rynaghs with two consolation goals of their own but it was all too much for the young team. St Rynaghs ability in support the player in possession, running in groups and accurate passing was a joy to watch and inspiring to any young camogie players.  

As a result of their win, St Rynaghs have now promoted the Offaly Club Camogie to senior status by winning two Intermediate titles. After their recent displays, they look like a team that will perform well at that level but for now they can enjoy the celebrations of a period of outstanding performances and achievements. 

Player of the Match: Kate Kenny was awarded Player of the Match after an outstanding performance from the striking forward.  In close contention was Mairead Daly with another inspiring performance, captain Grainne Dolan led from the back and scored a brilliant point when it was needed in the second half. Linda Sullivan played with the speed of a bullet and Emma Corcoran playing wing back was seen scoring in a corner forward position. 

Teams: 

Salthill Knocknacarra:  Vicky Flanagan, Sarah Donnellan, Aoife Keane, Fiona Kelly, Aoibhe Joyce, Emma Madden, Claire Murray, Siobhan Divilly, Laura Kelly, Camile Keane, Aisling Griffin, Joanne O’Flaherty, Aoife Kelly, Sorcha McGinley, Evie Hayes 

Subs:  Ines Morrison for Joanne O’Flaherty, Mary Murray for Aoibhe Joyce, Fiona O’Sullivan for Sarah Donnellan, Hannah Hernon for Aoife Kelly 

St Rynaghs: Ellen Gilligan, Sinead Moran(VC), Elaine Sullivan, Meabh Doorley, Emma Corcoran, Grainne Dolan(C), Katie O’Connell, Helen Dolan, Roisin Egan, Linda Sullivan, Sinead Hanamy, Mairead Daly, Aoife McLoughlin, Kate Kenny, Louise Mannion. 

Subs: Louise Flannery for Siobhan Flannery, Aoife O’Regan for Linda Sullivan, Aoife McLoughlin for Helen Dolan, Ciara O’Connell for Meadbh Doorley, Roisin Daly for Katie O’Connell 

Scorers:  

Salthill Knocknacarra:  Sorcha McGinley 1-1, Laura Kelly 0-3 (2 frees), Aisling Griffin 1-0, Aoife Kelly 0-1, Evie Hayes 0-1 

St Rynaghs: Kate Kenny 1-9, Siobhan Flannery 2-0, Mairead Daly 1-0, Katie O’Connell 1-0, Emma Corcoran 0-1, Roisin Egan 0-1 Linda Sullivan 0-1, Sinead Hanamy 0-1, Grainne Dolan 0-1 

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