Kildare dominate in camogie season opener against Wicklow

Kildare picked up their first points of the National Camogie league Division 3A campaign when they had twelve points to spare over a Wicklow side, who had to forfeit home advantage due to weather conditions.

On a horrible wet afternoon constant rain for over two hours prior to throw in and during the opening 30 minutes meant Manguard Park Hawfield was bordering on been unplayable itself and both sides went about their business as if there was no rain.

After the postponement of the Roscommon game a week earlier Kildare were anxious to get on the field and in the opening 23 minutes they didnt disappoint. Rebecca McDermott converted a second minute free and although Kildare had to wait another ten minutes they would go on to ad five in a row after Aoife McDermott got the second.

Classy Celbridge corner forward Niamh Mortell hit two in a row on 13 and 14 as Wicklow struggled to make any in roads on a solid Kildare defence.

A long ball from Sophie Bermingham got stuck in the water and Roisin Roche was glad to clear the danger. Kildare were on top in all facets and when Rebecca McDermott converted a second free on 19 it was the turn of Allie McGrath and Mortell, with her third, to push Kildare seven ahead.

Wicklow's centre back Sive Byrne played a quick free to Summer Cullen Dunne but her first time effort came back off a post before Kildare cleared the danger.

A Wicklow score did eventually arrive on 27 when lively centre forward Sophie Bermingham converted a 30 metre free before midfielder Louise Murphy got on the end of Rebecca McDermott's pass to fire over an eight Kikdare point and as the half time whistle sounded Kildare lead 0-8 to 0-1.

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As the teams returned the rain disappeared but the Kildare dominance continued. The McDermott's Aoife and Rebecca added two points inside four minutes as the Wicklow revival showed no signs of arriving.

Rebecca McDermott added her fourth on 41 and it was fellow Naas team mate Aoife Stynes who got her first with a fine point on the run.

Kildare were now 11 ahead but Wicklow were thrown a lifeline on 42 when Sive Byrne's free from all of 65 metres was flicked on by substitute Leanne Lifely and straight to the Kildare net. It was only Wicklow's second score but also their last.

Roisin Roche was called into action on 47 and as she fell to her knees she made a great save from Sophie Bermingham.

Kildare emptied the subs bench as they made seven changes. It mattered little as Kildare continued their superiorty as they added four points over the closing 12 minutes.

Niamh Mortell added the last of her four before making way for Sadhbh Buckley on 56. Aoife Stynes added her second and it was another Naas star Rebecca McDermott who rounded off the scoring with her fifth and sixth points of the day.

A comfortable and impressive performance from Rob O Neill's charges and the Kilkenny native will be pleased with the level of talent at his disposal. Fifteen points from the forwards with a solid defence and a mobile midfield means Kildare can look forward to the campaign with confidence and the visit of Armagh next weekend will afford them the chance to build on the Wicklow success.

KILDARE: Roisin Roche, Shauna Dunne, Niamh Hegarty, Sadhbh Horgan, Caoimhe O Sullivan, Aine Conway, Kate Murphy, Louise Murphy 0-1, Sara Carroll, Rebecca McDermott o-6 (2f) ,Lea Sutton, Aoife Stynes 0-2,Allie McGrath 0-2,Aoife McDermott 0-1,Niamh Mortell 0-4. Subs: Aoife McCarthy for Shauna Dunne 51; Laoise Mimnagh for Kate Murphy 51; Niamh Farrell for Allie McGrath 51; Sadhbh Buckley for Niamh Mortell 56; Kelly Bracken for Louise Murphy 56; Michelle Brogan for Leah Sutton 58; Grainne Dowling for Caoimhe O Sullivan 58.

WICKLOW: Ellen O'Neill; Laura Doyle, Chrissy Kelly, Grainne Drumgoole; Aine Byrne, Sive Byrne, Isabella Doyle; Sarah Doyle, Catherina Burke; Roisin Byrne, Sophie Bermingham 0-1 (1f), Laura Kenny; Shauna Ryan, Summer Cullen Dunne,Emma Nesbitt. Subs: Leanne Lifely 1-0 for Summer Cullen Dunne H/T; Ciara Byrne for Grainne Drumgoole 40; Emily Ryan for Emily Nesbitt 50.

REFEREE: Shane Foley.

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