St Rynagh's 1-12 Barrow Rangers 3-4  

By Sally Hurley

Expectations were high in Banagher in the run-up to Saturday’s Leinster Intermediate Semi-Final given that St Rynagh's supporters had not seen their team play at home in the Leinster Championship since late 2019.  

However, this was their opportunity to support and congratulate the recently-crowned 2020 All-Ireland champions.  It was an ideal setting for the match with the sun shining, a large crowd from both sides in tow and both teams with a desire to progress in 2021 championship.  St Rynagh's were dealt a blow before the match when star player Mairead Daly was unable to start match due to injury. Barrow Rangers have a strong reputation in camogie circles, and after beating Camross last weekend in the quarter-final, a tight contest was expected and a tough encounter was exactly what ensued.Amy Sullivan started in place of Mairead Daly, lining out alongside her sisters Elaine and Linda.  

From the throw-in, it was obvious that Barrow Rangers were going to hassle the champions for every ball with St Rynagh's under pressure from the off and finding it difficult to retain possession.  Kate Kenny converted St Rynagh's first free after she was fouled on the 45 metre line but this was cancelled out by Roisin Breen levelling the scores.  Kate Kenny has been in great form for the Offaly side but she had her hands full with Barrow Rangers’ Amy O’Connor and this contributed to Kenny hitting two wides, albeit from difficult angles.  While Barrow Rangers were defending well, St Rynaghs were doing likewise and defending resolutely with Emma Corcoran in particular coming to the fore.  

After a pass from Kate Kenny in the 8th minute, Helen Dolan held her nerve to put the ball over the bar however, Rangers swiftly replied with a lovely point from Katie O’Brien to level the match again before the water break. 

Barrow Rangers were the first to find the net after a goal from Collette Dormer and the Kilkenny Champions were on a roll and were to enjoy their best passage of play for the next 15 minutes.  However, St Rynagh's were also looking for a goal when any opportunity arose and Siobhan Flannery was fouled by a Barrow Rangers defender who had little choice as Flannery bore down on goal.  Kate Kenny put over the resulting free to leave the visitors leading by the minimum.  

Again, Helen Dolan popped the ball over from a pass from Kenny for her second point of the day.  Barrow Rangers were growing in confidence and were relentless in their marking and were rewarded with another converted free by Roisin Breen.  In the 21st minute Kate Kenny again took on her player and looked certain to rattle the net but Barrow’s goalkeeper Kayla Joyce deflected the ball over the bar.  Following this, Sinead Hanamy had another goal chance from near in but again Joyce did her job excellently.  Things were looking ominous for St Rynagh's when the Kilkenny Champions had an opportunity just before half time and Ellen Gilligan had no chance to save it as the ball nestled in the back of her net. St Rynagh's responded well with Kate Kenny converting a free before half-time to narrow the gap and leave the half time score showing 2-3 to 0-6. 

There is no doubt that the All Ireland champions'  management team had a few inspirational words in the dressing room at half time as St Rynagh's came out in the second half steadied and determined. A fantastic move between Grainne Dolan and Kate Kenny finished with Siobhan Flannery ruthlessly firing the ball to the Barrow Rangers net level the scores.  Linda Sullivan added a point before a royal battle ensued for the next 10 minutes with St Rynagh's seeming to come out on top in all the battles in this period. Kate Kenny and Linda Sullivan put over points after holding possession in situations where they struggled in the first half to leave their team leading 1-9 to 2-3 at the water break. 

When play resumed, Kate Kenny scored another point from play, making it look easy to get around her marker and strike the ball between the uprights. 24 minutes of play in the second half elapsed before Barrow Rangers got their first score of the half and it came after St Rynagh's Sinead Moran had no choice but to foul Rachel Collier to prevent her from going on goal.  TJ Reid's goal for Ballyhale last weekend may have been on people’s mind as Roisin Breen stood over the 21 yard free and while it was not as late in this game, much to the dismay of the St Rynagh's faithful, the result was the same as the ball flew past the Rynagh's defence into the net.   

The home team responded well, however, and Kate Kenny scored a fantastic free that looked like it was going left but she had judged the wind perfectly as the ball split the posts.   Barrow Rangers replied with another converted free before Siobhan Flannery was awarded a free which Kenny converted from a very difficult angle to leave St Rynagh's clear by two points when the final whistle sounded. 

It was a very tough match for St Rynagh's and Barrow Rangers will feel like they could have nicked a win but the champions' played like a different team in the second half with Katie O’Connell and Emma Corcoran shining in the wing back positions. Helen Dolan was outstanding in the centre of the field and Siobhan Flannery’s contribution was crucial to her team’s victory but Kate Kenny shone in both her assists to those around her and her point scoring from placed ball and play.  She is a player who seems to have grown in confidence and looks like she is enjoying tearing past her marker leaving defenders in her midst. 

Next weekend, St Rynaghs play old rivals Myshall from Carlow in what no doubt will be another game to remember.  St Rynagh's are bidding for four Leinster titles in-a-row, but Myshall will be seeking revenge after St Rynaghs has ended their challenge in the past three years. 

St Rynagh's team: Ellen Gilligan, Sinead Moran, Elaine Sullivan, Meabh Doorley, Emma Corcoran, Grainne Dolan, Katie O’Connell, Helen Dolan, Roisin Egan, Linda Sullivan, Sinead Hanamy, Amy Sullivan, Louise Mannion, Kate Kenny, Siobhan Flannery. 

St Rynagh's scorers: Kate Kenny 0-8, Siobhan Flannery 1-0, Linda Sullivan 0-2, Helen Dolan 0-2. 

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