Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel Junior League Final
John Lockes 2-15 Carrickshock 0-5
The clash of the top two teams in the junior hurling league group stages between Carrickshock and John Lockes proved to be a surprisingly one sided affair with John Lockes running out as convincing winners. League finals such as this match can be influenced by a range of factors and in this case, Carrickshock’s decision not to risk their U16 girls due to an upcoming U16A championship final did likely contribute to the relatively large margin of victory. John Lockes girls for their part played well all through this match and this victory will help strengthen their belief that this could be the year to win a junior championship crown having only recently set out with their own adult camogie team in 2024.
On a pleasant Sunday morning in Hugginstown, both sides took a few minutes to settle into the encounter but once John Lockes took the lead through a smart Chloe O’Donovan point in the 6th minute, they got a lead they never looked likely to relinquish. Moments later, Chloe’s attempt for a goal was well saved by the excellent Carrickshock goalkeeper Emily Carroll but Aisling O’Sullivan was first to the breaking ball to finish to the net. John Lockes continued to pile on the pressure for the next ten minutes and had stretched the lead to 2-4 to 0-0 after 16 minutes with a second goal arriving from Aisling O’Sullivan in the 16th minute. At this stage, Carrickshock were getting overrun in most areas but they did rally from here to half time and thanks to scores from Kiah O’Dwyer, (2 frees), Niamh Dunphy and Emma Lahart, they had reduced the deficit to 2-6 (JL) to 0-4 (C) by the half time break.
The second half started the same as the first half with John Lockes adding further points from the ever impressive Rachel Phelan (2 frees), Aisling O’Sullivan, and Leah O’Donovan to largely end the match as a contest by the 45th minute, at which time they led by 2-11 to 0-4. Carrickshock did rally for a further pointed free from Ciah O’Dwyer but unlike the first half, John Lockes continued to press home their advantage and further scores from the impressive Emily Phelan, Chloe O’Donovan and Rachel Phelan saw them emerge as comfortable winners at the end. Both sides now go forward to the junior championship quarterfinals which will be held on the weekend of 18/19 October.
John Lockes: Kym Ryan, Sal Ryan, Rachel Hartley, Aine Downing, Sarah Roche (Capt.), Laura Phelan, Erika Dunne, Sarah Keher, Rachel Phelan, Leah O’Donovan, Meg Ryan, Emily Phelan, Chloe O’Donovan, Aisling O’Sullivan, Caoimhe Kelly. Subs: Lauren Hartley, Niamh Hogan, Erin Morrissey, Sadhbh MacCormack, Kate Lynch, Anna O’Brien, Farrah Ryan-Burke, Maria Ryan, Aoibhne Corcoran, Julie Nolan.
Carrickshock: Emily Carroll, Clodagh O’Neill, Olivia Dunphy, Roisin Murphy, Millie Gilsenan, Aine Rohan, Ciara Herity, Katie Grace, Sophie McMahon, Aoife O’Shea, Eabha Carroll, Kiah Dwyer, Emma Lahart, Niamh Dunphy, Laura Irish. Subs: Tara Duggan, Ria McCormack, Jean Butler, Katie o Shea, Colleen Byrne, Amy O’Shea, Hannah Tennyson, Orlaith O Shea, Moyà O’Shea, Grace Aylward, Orla Walsh, Shannon Wall, Faye Lanigan ( inj )
Referee: John Walsh
By PRO Thu 9th Oct
