Murray's goal blitz does the trick for Killimordaly

Date Published: 01-Dec-2010

Killimordaly 3-2

Killimor 1-6

Eoghan Cormican

at Duggan Park

STYLISH full forward Edel Murray proved the hero for Killimordaly as they saw off a spirited Killimor side to claim the County Minor B camogie title at Duggan Park on Saturday last.

Enthralling this most certainly was as Killimordaly were forced to stave off a late rally from their opponents in which several goal chances went abegging during the seven minutes of injury time allotted.

Those seven minutes were correctly added by referee Mixie Donoghue to compensate for the freakish injury incurred by Killimordaly’s Laura Mitchell. Four minutes into the second period the midfielder failed to connect from a sideline cut, falling awkwardly on the hard ground and, consequently, had to be stretched from the field of play.

From there on, Killimor proceeded to dominate affairs, outscoring Killimordaly by 1-4 to 0-1 with centre back Karen Brien, redeployed at centre forward, leading a rejuvenated attack. A Killimordaly defence which hurled so assuredly in the first period began to creak. Panic bells sounded every time the sliotar crossed half way.

But for all their huffing and puffing, however, Killimor failed to blow the house down in the end. In retrospect, Killimordaly were deserving of their victory. They dominated the first half and despite enjoying a seven point interval cushion, they should have been further ahead at this juncture such was the array of goal chances presented to the full forward line.

Following the loss of ‘young camogie player of the year’ Laura Mitchell, they displayed grit and determination to hold out in the face of unrelenting pressure from Killimor. The character that was evident in the second half was every bit as crucial as the flair and skill of the first.

Having started the contest at a whirlwind pace, Paul Mitchell’s charges led by 2-0 to 0-1 after eight minutes with Anna Maria Lagana opening Killimor’s account. Indeed Killimor, looking to complete a unique senior and minor double, would go 20 minutes without a score in which time Edel Murray would leave a lasting impression on this County final.