Knockananna stormed into Senior ranks for the first time yesterday in the County Grounds in Aughrim when they defeated Kilcoole in a exciting game which doesn't tally with the final scoreline: Knockananna 6-13 Kilcoole 3-3 The game opened nervously for both sides. Knockananna were determined to put the disappointment of losing last year's Final and laid siege to the Kilcoole goal in the opening minutes. However the opening score fell to Kilcoole, the classiest moment of the afternoon, when Nicky Keddy doubled in the air on a long free coming in from Niamh Donnelly to rattle the net. Knockananna replied with 2 goals before Eithne Byrne goaled again for Kilcoole. Sinead Byrne (Knockananna) and Nicky Keddy (Kilcooe) exchanged points to leave the sides level  and the fans on the edge of their seats. Knockananna's experience from last year's final seemed to drive them on and by half-time the led 5-3 to 2-2 as Kilcoole were unlucky in front of goal during this period. The second half opened with a goal from Kilcoole from substitute Linda Fagan but Knockananna would not be denied. Slowly but surely the tightened their grip on the game and with delightful display of point scoring in the second half, took the title on a 6-13 to 3-3 scoreline. Knockananna were too strong for Kilcoole in vital areas on the field and will perform well in next year's Senior Championship if they retain this form. In the middle of the field, Laura Hogan and Lucy Mulhall led the challenge with driving runs forward. Sinead Byrne was very influential in the game, charging forward, as she had done during the year for the County U18 team and Kilcoole could not contain her. Captain Clare Byrne with Ciara Byrne and Annette Dolan in attack as well as Kelly and Staci Byrne in defence and the speedy running of Emily Mulhall all contributed in no small way to this Knockananna victory. Best for Kilcoole on this ocassion were; Nicky Keddy - until a severe hand injury effectively put her out of the game, Roisin Mulford, impressive in defence particularly in the first half, Celina O'Toole, taking on the difficult task at mid-field, in the attack Niamh Donnelly and Eithne Byrne. This Kilcoole side had a number of players appearing in their first Championship Final and will have gained a lot from this experience. Congratulations to Knockananna and Good Luck as Seniors! the referee was Justin Heffernan. Tweet

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