AIB Leinster Club Camogie Intermediate Final
Nowlan Park – 18 November 2018
St. Rynaghs 2-13 Young Irelands 1-10
A superb duo in the full-forward line of Siobhán Flannery and 16-year old Kate Kenny accounted for all the St. Rynagh’s tally. The pair were unstoppable and tormented a fine Young Ireland’s team which had an outstanding display from Sarah Ann Quinlan.
No surprise then that Kate Kenny was picked as Player of the Match who just edged out Offaly Senior player Siobhan Flannery in a team that played with enormous passion and ability.
The Banagher management can also take a bow. Leading by 2-8 to 1-7 at the interval, they decided to operate with an extra defender in the second period. More often than not it was Offaly senior player Róisín Egan who found herself in the right spot and her astute use of the ball was a major plus as the Faithful champions outscored the Gowran girls by 0-5 to 0-3 in the second half.
Young Ireland’s were first to score through the excellent Sarah Ann Quinlan who also captained her side. But within 60 seconds Kate Kenny had her side in front. Her pace, camogie skills and composure were impressive and she held that form for the entire game and fittingly got the last score of the match.
St. Rynaghs Leinster Club Intermediate Champions 2018 Photos: iLivePhotos.com
For the next 10 minutes, Rynaghs were marginally dominant and every time Siobhán Flannery was in the vicinity of the ball, Young Irelands were in trouble. At the back, the Sullivan sisters Linda and Elaine were superb and teh midfield pairing of Helen Dolan and Louise Mannion (daughter of mentor and former Offaly hurler Roy) were pinging the ball in the direction of the Flannery/Kenny pairing.
Nine minutes into the game, Siobhán Flannery tore in close to the endline to hammer to the net before turning provider with a pass to Kate Kenny for another point.
But this was no St. Rynaghs Show. Young Irelands played some outstanding camogie and a cracking goal by Grace O’Donnell in the 18th minute had her side in front 1-6 to 1-4. Sarah Ann Quinlan was popping over the points from frees and play. 
St. Rynaghs needed to respond and that they did. Superb points by Siobhán Flannery and a goal from Kate Kenny in the 27th minute. The goal came from a well placed puckout by Ellen Gilligan to Róisín Egan whose long-range shot dropped outside the small box where Siobhán Flannery was making a nuisance of herself.
Captains Linda Sullivan of St Rynagh's, Sarah Ann Quinlan, Young Irelands with referee John Dermody, Westmeath.
The Offaly girls took a 2-8 to 1-7 lead to the dressing rooms where they hatched a plan to defend that margin. The threat was Sarah Ann Quinlan and in the second half, the No. 11 fought bravely but the same space just wasn’t there in front of the Rynagh's goals. Managed by Ballyhale legend Kevin Fennelly (daughter Laura was played her part on the field) and with Charlie Carter one of the selectors (his daughter Nicole was corner back), Irelands tried all they could. For 10 minutes or more after half-time they applied intense pressure on the Banagher defence. But Ellen Gilligan was superb between the sticks and Trish “I’m not 38” Nugent drew on all her experience. A brilliant flick by Ann Daly off a Gowran stick saved a certain goal and when Rynaghs worked the ball upfield, Kate Kenny scored an inspirational point.
The siege was broken and the Flannery/Kenny combo made it a day to remember for St. Rynaghs.
St. Rynaghs: Ellen Gilligan, Róisín Daly, Linda Sullivan, Trish Nugent, Ann Daly, Róisín Egan, Elaine Sullivan, Helen Dolan, Louise Mannion, Aoife McLoughlin, Kate Kenny (1-5), Maireád Daly, Gráinne Dolan, Siobhán Flannery (1-7), Louise Flannery
Subs: Ciara O’Connell, Áine Doorley
Young Irelands: Hannah Brennan, Nicole Carter, Maggie Simpson, Ruth Loughlin, Eimear Naddy, Laura Fennelly, Grace O’Donnell (1-1), Ciara O’Keeffe (0-1), Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Aisling Carey, Sarah Ann Quinlan (0-7), Rebecca Nevin, Elizabeth Byrne, Steffi Fitzgerald (0-1), Miriam Brennan
Subs: Nessa Farrell, Aoife Farrell
Referee: John Dermody