Naas make it four Kildare Senior Camogie titles in a row

Naas 4-19

Maynooth 0-3

Naas claimed their fourth Kildare Senior title in a row when they convincingly brushed aside the challenge of first time county finalists, Maynooth, in the Cúl Sliotars Kildare Camogie Senior Final at a calm Cedral St Conleth’s Park on Friday night.

Although Maynooth, roared on by a large support, opened each half brightly they couldn’t turn the possession into scores against their much more experienced opponents.

A goal in the 20 minute by corner forward, Aoibhín Delaney, set up by the impressive Caoimhe Maher, was the icing on the first half cake for Naas and it helped them into a 1-11 to 0-2 half time lead.

The equally impressive Aoife Stynes had set the ball rolling for the defending champions with the first of her points in the fifth minute.

Maher, Rebecca McDermott and Róise Hennessy all contributed handsomely to the Naas tally in the first half.

That sizable Maynooth support had to wait until the 21 minute before they had something to cheer about when sole scorer, Roisin Forde, opened their account with a pointed free. Forde added a second from play three minutes later as part of a mini Maynooth revival that petered out again just before the break.

In a bright opening to the second half Forde brought the Maynooth scoring to a close with a brilliant long range 70 yard free.

Once Caoimhe Maher scored the Naas second goal, set up by Aoife McDermott in the 37 minute, there was no way back for Maynooth.

Further disaster struck for the players in black in the 52 minute when a long delivery from Aoife Stynes deceived keeper, Ellie Heffernan and ended up in the Maynooth net.

Goal number four arrived five minutes from time when substitute, Sophie Hazzard’s shot came back off the cross bar and Caoimhe Maher reacted quickest to fire home her second and Naas’ fourth goal.

All the while Maher, Stynes, Allie McGrath and Sara Carroll kept the scoreboard ticking over while at the other end a very strong Naas defence repelled any Maynooth attack to send the title back to the County Town for the fourth year in a row.

Scorers: Naas, Caoimhe Maher 2-5 (1 free), Aoife Stynes 1-5, Aoibhín Delaney 1-1, Rebecca McDermott 0-4 (1 free), Róise Hennessy 0-1, Allie McGrath 0-1, Sara Carroll 0-1, Aoife McDermott 0-1.

Maynooth: Roisin Forde 0-3 (2 frees).

NAAS: Roisin Roche; Aoife Keane, Aíne Conway, Fahsai Nic Choncradha; Kate Murphy, Niamh Hegarty, Aoife McCarthy; Róise Hennessy, Sara Carroll; Aoife McDermott, Allie McGrath, Aoife Stynes; Rebecca McDermott, Caoimhe Maher, Aoibhín Delany. Subs: Órlaith Delany for Fahsai Nic Chonchradha 45 Sophie Hazzard for Rebecca McDermott 45, Grainne Dowling for Allie McGrath 53, Ciara Ryan for Niamh Hegarty 53, Rachel Byrne for Aoife McCarthy 57, Millie Kelleher for Aoibhín Delany 57, Rebecca McDermott for Caoimhe Maher 60.

MAYNOOTH: Ellie Heffernan, Sadhbh Buckley, Sadhbh Horgan, Casey Noone; Keeva Flynn, Niamh Hayes, Ella O’Connor; Niamh Krahn, Hannah Davis; Niamh Farrell, Ruth Millett, Hannah Merrick, Sinead Turreau, Roisin Forde, Tara Rafferty. SUBS: Fiona Lynch for Niamh Farrell H/T, Martha Gilligan for Ella O’Connor 43, Sile Flood for Sadhbh Buckley 51.

REFEREE: Brian Kearney.

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