Knockbride seal Croke Park date with nailbiting win over Cork champions

Ladies All-Ireland Club IFC semi-final

Knockbride 0-4

Naomh Abán (Cork) 0-3

Aideen Coyle at St Brigid’s Park

Knockbride ladies have qualified for the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship final with a cagey one-point win over Naomh Abán last Sunday afternoon. Scores were at a premium in St. Brigid’s Park as Knockbride edged past the challenge of the Cork champions by the narrowest of margins in a seven-score game.

In doing so, the Cavan champions become the first ladies club team from the county to reach the final and aim to become only the second Ulster side to claim the prestigious title, following Emyvale of Monaghan in 2008.

With a spot in the final at stake, both teams adopted a cautious, defensive strategy, congesting the scoring zone and making every point hard earned. The Knockbride backs were outstanding, with 15-year-old Aoife Rogers, making her first championship start in her maiden season, deserving a special mention.

Rogers was immense alongside Amie Lynch and Nicola Rogers, while the half-back line led by Sinead O’Reilly came out on top for the majority of the tie. Katie Mai Reilly and Gia McCabe provided a constant outlet from defence, winning the battle around the middle section of the field, which was key to the victory on Sunday.

At half-time Knockbride led by two points after keeping the visitors scoreless for the opening half. The sides were then level twice in the second half before Ellie Reilly, for the second game running, was crucial and effective off the bench, hitting the decisive score in the 25th minute of the second half.

The Knockbride defenders worked exceptionally hard as a unit to keep out a Cork side looking to win back the All-Ireland title previously claimed in 2003, and at half time Knockbride took a hard-fought two-point lead thanks to two Abbi Connor frees. Both sides were wasteful in the opening quarter, with Aoife Rogers cutting out Naomh Abán’s opening attacks and setting the tone for a hard-fought win.

At the other end Knockbride failed to execute their opening three attacks and also had a strong penalty shout in the 10th minute after a brilliant pass from Katie Rogers found Rebecca Davey on the edge of the square. The corner forward fell to the ground, with the referee awarding a free out after consulting his umpires.

The breakthrough finally came in the 16th minute when captain Sarah McCabe powered through the Cork defence, earning a free that Abbi Connor calmly slotted over. As the Munster champions searched for their first score, they were twice thwarted by excellent blocks from Nicola Rogers and Katie Mai Reilly on Colleen Phelan and Lydia McDonagh respectively.

At the other end, hardworking Katie Mai Reilly penetrated through the visitors’ defence, drawing a foul that Connor again stepped up to convert and give her side a two-point cushion at half time.

The second half started at a frantic tempo after Gia McCabe rose tallest to win the throw-in and set Knockbride straight on the attack. A long-range effort from the attacker had goalkeeper Lauren Hughes scampering, with the ball rebounding off the woodwork.

At the other end Naomh Abán finally got their account up and running in the second minute through an effort from danger woman Roisin Lehane. Moments later they nearly took the lead as a free from Lehane dipped dangerously toward the top corner of the Knockbride net, only to rebound off the woodwork, much to the relief of Ciaran Galligan’s side.

Minutes later the sides were level for the first time as Cliona Vaughan sailed over a fine effort. With 18minutes played in the second half, Gia McCabe pointed the score of the game after a superb run as the youngster sliced through the defence for a point. The sides were once again level in the 53rd minute as McDonagh pointed a free won by Lehane.

As the game entered its conclusion, Ellie Reilly replaced Katie Rogers and within minutes of her introduction scored the all-important point that sent her team Croke Park bound after excellent play from Sarah McCabe found Reilly bearing through on goal. As Naomh Abán went in search of an equaliser, crucial turnovers from Rebecca Davey, Aoife Rogers and Katie Mai Reilly ensured the Breffni ladies would advance victorious.

Knockbride now march on to the All-Ireland final where they will face Galway side Caltra Cuans. The Connacht champions beat Louth team St. Fecklin’s in the other semi-final on a scoreline of 0-09 to 0-08. The final is scheduled for Saturday, 13 December at 2pm in Croke Park, serving as the curtain raiser to the senior final between fellow Ulster side St. Ergnat’s, Moneyglass, and Kilkerrin-Clonberne (Galway).

Knockbride: Katie Mulvey, Aoife Rogers, Amie Lynch, Nicola Rogers, Ellen Lynch, Sinead O’Reilly, Niamh Smith, Katie Mai Reilly, Tara Rogers, Gia McCabe 0-01, Sarah McCabe, Aoife Nulty, Rebecca Davey, Katie Rogers, Abbi Connor 0-02 (0-02f).

Subs used: Ellie Reilly 0-01 for K. Rogers.

Naomh Abán: Lauren Hughes, Iseult Ni Riordan, Muireann Dineen, Una Vaughan, Clodagh Murphy, Rosie Corkery, Aoife Creedon, Amy McDonagh, Grainne Ní Luasa, Cliona Vaughan, Grace Murphy, Annie Maher, Roisin Lehane, Colleen Phelan, Lydia McDonagh.

Subs used: Joanne Kelly for G. Murphy, Claire Hughes for A. Creedon.

Ref: Declan Carolan (Armagh)