Mooncoin’s top roses blossom on the big day

By Moondarrig

Mooncoin 3.07 Piltown 0.08

A title 33 years in the waiting was Mooncoin’s reward as they were crowned Kilkenny Junior Camogie Champions after overcoming a stiff early challenge from Piltown.

Three first half goals, one from each of Mooncoin’s full forward line, coupled with excellent goalkeeping from netminder Ellen Crowley proved the difference between the teams.

Once Referee Peter Burke threw in the ball this game took off, as neighbours challenged each other in this battle of the Barony of Iverk.

Niamh Crowley opened the scoring for Mooncoin with a super score after less than 30 seconds. Piltown then worked the ball to Leah Cooney who duly levelled the match. From the Puck out the athletic Lorna O’Shea gave Piltown the lead for the only time in the match with a great individual score.

Mooncoin’s response was immediate. Selfless teamwork got the ball to Eva Aylward who expertly dispatched the ball to the back of the Piltown net to a massive cheer from the large Mooncoin support in the record attendance in John Locke Park.

Quick fire points from Deirdre Walsh and Lauren Comerford left Piltown gasping for air, they stemmed the tide with an excellent score from Ciara Dunne on the left wing.

Piltown needed another score to get some momentum, but it was Mooncoin who drove on, working the ball to leading goal scorer Laura Wall who cracked a beauty to the net giving Piltown goalie Danielle O’ Brien no chance.

Piltown earned a free that was missed, and they then worked the ball to Nicola Phelan who bore down on goal only for Mooncoin net minder Ellen Crowley to bravely block the goal attempt and drive out with the ball for a defiant clearance. The first water break brought a pulsating first quarter to an end.

The second quarter started with Mooncoin on the attack again but it was Piltown’s midfield dominance that led to the first point, a fine Lorna O’Shea score. They had a goal opportunity after that, but the combination of Ellen Crowley and the excellent Niamh Madden at fullback kept Piltown at bay. The resultant forty-five was drilled over expertly by Aine Doyle.

Piltown must have felt that on the stroke of half time they were making inroads into Mooncoin’s lead but, in added time Mairead Corcoran and Sarah Crowley worked the ball to Laura Wall who picked out Niamh Crowley to take off and bury the ball in the Piltown net. At half time  Mooncoin 3.03 to 0.05, six scores to five – but seven points in it!

The second half opened with Mooncoin points for Laura Wall and Eva Aylward. Rather than press on Mooncoin appeared to retreat to protect their lead, allowing Piltown to drive at them.

Piltown where finding it increasingly hard to break down the Mooncoin rear-guard, picking up just two frees which were converted by Aine Doyle. The third quarter ended when Mooncoin countered with a nice score from official player of the match Laura Wall, pushing her side eight points clear

The fourth quarter was a dogged affair with Piltown pounding away in search of goals but, after thirty-three years as a junior club Mooncoin were in no mood to concede. The tireless Lisa McCarty pointed an excellent score for Piltown and Deirdre Walsh, Mooncoin’s playmaker, closed the games scoring with a well taken free.

On minute fifty-five of this match a Mooncoin substitution was made that celebrated a living hero in Marianne Walsh who played brilliantly all match at cornerback. Having this time last year being diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Mariannes’ recovery is an incredible story of determination and an inspiration to all.

Peter Burke’s last whistle confirmed Mooncoin’s elevation to intermediate status for 2022. They were gracious in victory as were Piltown in defeat after a fine sporting game.

Piltown are a wonderful club and a kingpin of Kilkenny camogie for some time now. For their lionhearted squad and management today was not their day, to reach any county final is a fantastic achievement and to also reach a senior final in the same year is outstanding. The Piltown Junior squad is lined with talent that have and will embellish Piltown Camogie.

For Mooncoin Camogie today was a historic day thirty-three years in the making. Just a month ago on Mooncoin’s main thoroughfare they unveiled a magnificent statue of Mooncoin and Kilkenny legend Richard ‘Drug’ Walsh, Mooncoin at the time were a parish of seven Junior teams! They are now proud to be Intermediate in both codes.

Today was more than a success for one team over another, today was a success for female sport. With a total attendance estimated close to 1800 people at a junior camogie county final and being broadcast live on two radio stations, it was a success for the 2020 campaign of “if you can’t see it, you can’t be it”, credit to the Camogie Association and the Kilkenny County Camogie Board.

Scores Mooncoin L Wall 1.2, E Aylward 1.1, N Crowley 1.1, D Walsh 0.2 (1F), l Comerford 0.1

Piltown A Doyle 0.3 (2 45s,1f), L O’Shea 0.2, C Dunne 0.1, L McCarthy 0.1, Leah Cooney 0.1

Mooncoin – Ellen Crowley, Eimear Quilty, Niamh Madden, Marianne Walsh, Emily Crowley, Sarah Crowley, Mairead Corcoran, Lorraine Delahunty, Niamh Fleming, Deirdre Walsh, Roisin Crowley, Lauren Comerford, Niamh Crowley, Laura Wall, Eva Aylward

Subs – Laura Dillon Dunphy for Lorraine Delahunty, Sarah Hayes for Niamh Fleming, Eimear Fleming for Marianne Walsh, Amy Lehane, Shauna Walsh, Kate Kearns, Caitriona Bowe, Evelyn Hayes, Aoife Purcell, Emma Heweston, Hannah Cooney, Jean O’Hanlon, Kate Henebery, Laura Delahunty, Hannah Roche

Piltown – Danielle O’Brien, Maire B. Kirby, Chloe Power, Lisa Norris, Shauna Coady, Emily McCarthy, Sarah Tobin, Lorna O’Shea, Rachel O’Shea, Lisa McCarthy, Sinead McCarthy, Ciara Dunne, Leah Cooney, Nicola Phelan, Aine Doyle

Subs – Brighid Twohig for Lisa Norris, Chloe Holden for Rachel O’Shea, Siobhan Dermody for Lisa McCarthy, Anna O’Brien for Leah Cooney, Heather Phelan for Aine Doyle, Katelynn Phelan, Alanagh Hanlon, Soracha Phelan, Antonia Power, Hillary Power, Leanne Dunne, Jessica Norris, Sarah J. Brophy, Aisling Brophy, Laura Power, Jean Power, Mia Norris, Stacey O’Brien, Fiona Long, Chloe Blackmore