Egan and Kenny to the fore as Naomh Ciaran clinch Leinster Intermediate crown

Leinster Intermediate Club Championship

Naomh Ciaran (Offaly) 3-10
Tinahely (Wicklow) 0-07

By Aisling Clery in Kinnegad

1-03 from substitute Roisin Egan and a Player of the Match performance from Kate Kenny helped Naomh Ciaran to the 2019 Leinster Intermediate Club Championship title on a miserable Sunday evening in Kinnegad. Naomh Ciaran were four in front at the break and despite Tinahely’s pressure and defiance in defence, the Offaly champions went on to clinch victory.

Scores were difficult to come by early on with Tinahely enjoying most of the early possession. Ciara Byrne and Laura Hogan got the opening two scores for Tinahely. Both teams‘ defences were resolute but Naomh Ciaran’s first score, a goal, was worth the wait as Ellee McEvoy finished to the net with aplomb. Loretta Gilbert instantly replied to level matters for Tinahely but Naomh Ciaran took the game by its scruff – two from Kate Kenny and one each from Roisin Cockram and Ellee McEvoy opening up a four point half time lead.

Ciara Byrne and Kate Kenny swapped scores early in the second half. Substitute Roisin Egan’s first touch went over the bar but this was cancelled out a moment later by Laura Hogan. Hogan added her third free and there was just two points between the teams! With Kate Kenny and Amy Gavin Mangan pressing the Naomh Ciaran attack forward from their midfield berth, the scores kept coming. Egan grabbed her second while a fourth point from Kenny opening up a four point lead for the Offaly champions.

Ellee McEvoy was first to the ball in a rare mistake in the Tinahely defence and the talented Offaly baller made no mistake with the finish. Egan grabbed her third score before McEvoy grabbed her second point and with time running down, Naomh Ciaran led by six. Despite Tinahely’s efforts, Naomh Ciaran finished with aplomb – Roisin Egan adding her side’s third goal just before the full time whistle.

Naomh Ciaran will now go on to represent Leinster in the All Ireland Intermediate semi finals next weekend where they will face Munster Champions, Inch Rovers from Cork.

Naomh Ciaran: A Keena, N Buckley, E Nally, A Grehan, R Ennis, E Flynn (C), F Boland, K Kenny (0-04, 2f), A Gavin Mangan, E Cahill, L Keena, K Rigney, A Corbett, R Cockram (0-01), E McEvoy (2-02).

Subs: S Egan for Cahill, R Egan (1-03) for Rigney, A Kelly for Cockram, Z Tighe for Corbett

Tinahely: E Hadden, C Stokes (C), S Hogan, N Kenny, S Goeteleen, J Byrne, A Maher, A Gorman, J Kinch, C Byrne (0-02), A Byrne, E Mulhall, L Gilbert (0-01), L Hogan (0-04, 3f), S Byrne.

Subs: E O’Brien for Gilbert, J Shannon for A Byrne, A Winterbotham for Stokes, C Murphy for J Byrne, L Geraghty for Maher.

Ref: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow)