By
Cóilín Duffy

Kilkenny were crowned All-Ireland Under 16 A camogie champions for the third time in succession thanks to an outstanding 8-11 to 0-6 win over Cork in Nenagh.

Rain threatened to dampen this encounter but the spirits of both teams were certainly high and the 29 point gap between the sides wasn’t fully reflective of how Cork’s fighting spirit and skill prevailed throughout this game as the Rebals weren’t keen on throwing in the towel.

Michelle Farrell and Michelle Brennan were Kilkenny’s hat-trick heroines with both players finding the back of the Cork net once in the opening half while Farrell’s sister Anna added a third goal before the interval to hold a 3-6 to 0-5 half-time lead.

Indeed Brennan was also prolific in her points scoring but this was an overall team performance with Aine Curran, Denise Gaule and Aisling Dunphy among the other Kilkenny players who maded the scoresheet.

Cork’s Caitriona Collins certainly played a leading part for the Rebels with two first half points with Denise Looby and Sinead O’Neill also on target.

However Kilkenny upped their game in the second half and a double goal strike from Michelle Brennan in the 35th minute left Cork with an uphill battle on their hands.

Shelly Farrell completed Kilkenny’s eight goal brace nine minutes from the end and also picked up the Player of the match award, an accolade here sister Anna earned in the corresponding decider last year.

Scorers -
Kilkenny: M Farrell 3-0; M Brennan 3-2; A Farrell 2-2; D Gaule 0-4; A Curran 0-2; A Dunphy 0-1.
Cork: C Collins 0-3; J White, D Looby, S O'Neill 0-1 each.

Cork and Kilkenny captains
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The Under 16 B decider between Derry and Waterford was certainly a tighter affair as the sides will have to meet again following a thrilling 2-7 to 3-4 drawn encounter at St. Peregrine’s Blanchardstown.

Waterford captain Patricia Jackman led by example to ensure the sides must meet again for a replay.

Derry began the first half of this game in blistering fashion and lead by 1-4 to 1-2 in what was a tough opening half with some competitive fare on offer while both teams had to battle with testing weather conditions.

Patricia Jackman had hit the back of the net for Waterford early on to hold a 1-0 to 0-2 lead but it was Rachel Kelly’s 20th minute strike which proved to be the difference at the interval with a point each from Emma Mullally, Emer Mullan, Keelin Bradley and Ailish Cassidy for the Oak Leafers.

Jackman completed her hat-trick in the second half and although Rachel Kelly found the back of the Waterford net for the second time for Derry – Waterford held on for an equaliser with the with the last poc of the game from Poc Fada protagonist Patricia Jackman.

Patricia Jackman (right) Waterford's hat trick heroine