Longford Intermediate champions Carrickedmond conquer Kill

Kill (Kildare) . . . 0-7   Carrickedmond . . . 2-13

Kill succumbed to the pressure as they fell short against Carrickedmond who produced a powerful stint at the end of the first half while an early injury to captain Laoise Lenehan spelled disaster for the Kildare Intermediate champions. 

It was a very even contest until the 25th minute with the team’s level at 0-5 apiece; Anna Coburn, Trina Temple, Niamh Kelly and Niamh Farrelly were on target for Kill while Carrickedmond looked to Katie Crawford, Ellen Shannon and Lauren McGuire for their scores. 

Then, Michelle Mulvey took full advantage of a stray kick-out and lobbed Aoife Mangan for her team’s opening goal. From there, the Longford representatives seized the momentum and, thanks to points from Katie Crawford, Ellen Shannon, Lauren McGuire and Leah Shannon, Carrickedmond established a commanding 1-10 to 0-5 lead at the break. 

Two Niamh Farrelly frees kept Kill in the hunt, but the Kildare team were still eight points adrift with time running out. Deadly duo Katie Crawford and Lauren McGuire were doing the damage for Carrickedmond before goal number two sealed the deal as the impressive Crawford rifled the ball into the corner of the net in the 58th minute. 

Lauren McGuire curled over a stylish point a minute later to complete a fantastic win for the Longford Intermediate champions who will have home advantage against the Dublin champions O'Dwyers (Balbriggan) in the Leinster Club quarter-final at Michael Moran Park on Saturday next, throw-in 1pm. 

KILL: Aoife Mangan; Jenny Cahill, Laura Cahill, Lorraine Roche; Aisling Roche, Laoise Lenehan (captain), Maisie Molloy; Cara Kennedy, Kathlyn Miley; Trina Temple 0-1, Mya Pardy, Mikeala Nash; Anna Coburn 0-1, Niamh Farrelly 0-4 (0-3frees), Niamh Kelly 0-1.

Subs:-  Robyn Lavin for L Lenehan (injured, 15 mins); Orla Mulligan for J Cahill (49 mins); Grace Miley for M Nash (52 mins); Kathryn Cahill for T Temple (54 mins); Annette Corcoran for Roche (59 mins).

CARRICKEDMOND:  Siobhan Egan; Emer Dempsey, Ann Ryan, Shauna McCormack; Caoimhe MccCormack, Ciara Mulligan, Aimee Higgins; Casey McNamara, Katie Crawford 1-3; Leah Shannon 0-1, Ellen Shannon (captain) 0-3 (all frees), Michelle Mulvey 1-0; Lauren McGuire 0-6 (0-2 frees), Grace Esler, Una Mulligan.

Subs:- Sinead Farrell for S  McCormack (45 mins); Carly Flood for C McNamara (54 mins); Rita Connaughton for U Mulligan and Molly O’Sullivan for M Mulvey (58 mins), Caoimhe Mulvey for C McCormack (59 mins).

Referee: Ray McBride (Dublin).