Senior County League
Piltown 1-8 Windgap 1-6
By Tom Egan
County champions Piltown got off to a winning start in the opening round of the All County Senior camogie league last Friday under lights in Piltown. Both sides were short many of their regular players with various county commitments at senior and minor level for this match; nonetheless both sides were fiercely committed throughout the hour and while Windgap ended up on the losing side, they will be encouraged by the showing of many of their girls in this challenging opening outing
Windgap opened playing into the slight wind elements and got off to a fast start with a Molly Walsh free in the 3rd minute. Piltown replied shortly afterwards with a fine point from the lively Patsy Kenny but Windgap who were competing well for all breaks at this time, received a boost with a goal from play by Eimear Smith in the 9th minute. The exchanges were very competitive from here to half time – Windgap held a narrow lead throughout as scores from Molly Walsh (F) and Megan Kenneally were matched by Piltown scores from Chloe Blackmore (F), Leah Cooney and Patsy Kenny (2) to leave the half time score at 1-3 (W) to 0-5 (P)
The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides competing hard for every ball and defences still largely on top which made scores hard to come by. Piltown did draw level with a 36th minute free from Chloe Blackmore but two scores from new captain Molly Walsh had Windgap 1-5 to 0-7 ahead as the game headed into the closing six minutes. Piltown had introduced a number of substitutes at this stage and a well worked move in the 54th minute saw the ball passed to Laoise McKenna on the edge of the square and she made no mistake for an all important goal. Windgap battled hard to the finish with both sides trading points from Orlaith O’Shea (W) and Heather Phelan (P) and indeed a few missed frees from Windgap could have seen them get something from the match. Piltown did get over the line as they were a little more economical in converting the chances created and this made the difference by the time Gavin Quilty blew the full time whistle.
Both sides will be pleased to have got a fully competitive match to start the 2025 season and both management teams will be pleased with the good energy levels for an early season fixture. Piltown were well served on the night by goalkeeper Maire Beth Kirby (who made a vital second half save), Jenny O’Dea, Patsy Kenny and Chloe Blackmore while their substitutions brought energy to the match in the latter stages. Windgap will be pleased with the effort of all girls on the night and they were best served by defenders Gillian Costello, Orlaith O’Shea and Moya Egan (who adapted well to her first match at senior level) while further afield, captain Molly Walsh and Megan Kenneally worked hard all night. Referee Gavin Quilty also allowed a very competitive match to flow as much as possible with good use made of the advantage rule on numerous occasions.
Piltown: Maire Beth Kirby, Sarah Tobin, Jenny O’Dea, Chloe Power, Lorraine Long, Danielle Carroll, Aoife O’Shea, Ellen O’Keeffe, Alice Talbot, Aine Hahessy, Patsy Kenny (0-3), Niamh Culleton, Leah Cooney (0-1), Heather Phelan (0-1), Chloe Blackmore (0-3 F). Subs Laoise McKenna (1-0).
Windgap: Niamh Bambrick, Ava Lily O’Neill, Eimear Mackey, Moya Egan, Orlaith O’Shea (0-1 F), Gillian Costello, Laura Doyle, Cliodhna O’Shea, Molly Walsh (0-4, 0-3F), Alaina O’Shea, Megan Kenneally (0-1), Laura Foley, Eimear Smith (1-0), Sontae Jackson, Denise Foley.
Referee: Gavin Quilty
