Kinawley 1-05 Clann Eireann 3-12
Kinawley suffered a first-round Ulster Senior Club exit at the hands of holders Clann Eireann on a blustery early afternoon of action at Patrick McManus Park.
Storm Ashley’s presence was felt throughout Sunday’s game as the Armagh side took a 2-05 to 0-02 lead into halftime, however, a goal and a point from Gemma McCaffrey and a point from Joanne Doonan gave the Borus hope of a comeback but their opponents finished strong to advance.
Speaking after the game, Kinawley manager Barry McKenna said: “Very disappointed to go out but conditions were horrible and Clann Eireann used all their experience to get over the line.
"I think if the game had of stayed at the original time of 2pm it would of been postponed. Clann Eireann got off to a flying start and gave us an uphill task straight away.
"We really competed so well and dominated for large periods but they took all their chances where we didn't.
"They are Ulster champions for a reason but hopefully yesterday will prove to the Kinawley girls they are more than capable of competing at this level.”
The travelling side made a rapid start to the game Aoibhinn Donohue and captain Niamh Henderson combined to find Eimear McConaghy who opened the scoring.
Henderson added a second point and just seconds later, they had their first goal as they won a second kick-out and Henderson picked the ball up and shot at goal as it deflected off a Borus defender and rolled into the net.
The early onslaught continued Niamh Murray pointed from a free to make it 1-03 to no score after three minutes.
Kinawley managed to get a foothold in the game as McCaffrey put an effort wide, kicking against the wind, on ten minutes to add to an early Niamh McManus wide.
Murray sent over another free and after Kinawley gave the ball away in defence McConaghy took advantage to send over another point.
Roisin O’Reilly and Doonan both had efforts drift wide and, at the other end, goalkeeper Aine Haren was forced into denying Cassie Henderson with a good save.
Kinawley eventually got off the mark in the 24th minute as a strong run from Doonan down the park allowed her teammates to make ground and win a free that was sent over by McCaffrey.
McCaffrey converted another but the home side were hit with a blow before the break as a Murray shot dropped into the net for a second goal, 2-05 to 0-02.
Three early second half points from Niamh Henderson and Murray (2) extended the lead but Kinawley hit back when McCaffrey cut out a pass in the defence and finished past goalkeeper Catherine Lawless who was caught out of her net.
Doonan then smashed over a point with her laces and, two minutes later, another McCaffrey free demonstrated the strength of the wind as it got caught in the air and flew between the posts.
McKenna’s side were unable to build on their momentum and instead points from Henderson, Murray and Tiarna Grimes gave Eireann a strong grip on the game.
Henderson was shown a yellow card with ten to go but another goal from Murray that dropped into the net from range ensured their win with Borus O’Reilly hitting the final score of the game.
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