CLONAKILTY secured their first win in the SE Systems Premier Intermediate Camogie Championship at sunny Castle Road when they had six points to spare over Fr O’Neill’s, winning 2-11 to 2-5, reports DENIS O’FLYNN.

In a low-scoring opening half, the West Cork girls led at the break by two points, 1-4 to 1-2.

Clonakilty opened the scoring with three points from Amy McCarthy, Aoife O Flynn Meade and Katie O Driscoll before Fr O’Neills had raised their first flag courtesy of a Tara O’Neill point in the 19th minute. 

Aoife O Flynn Meade added a pointed free for Clon and Katie O Driscoll put real daylight between the sides when she goaled on the 26th minute. 

A late rally by O’Neill’s resulted in a pointed free from Alison Hurley and a goal from Rachel Steele four minutes into added time to leave two points between the sides at the break.

Clonakilty's Katie O'Driscoll battles with Fr O'Neill's Yvonne Murphy. (Photo: Denis O'Flynn)

Fr O’Neill’s Lucy O Keeffe reduced the deficit to one point a minute into the second half, and they were thrown a lifeline when goalie Anita Hurley made a point-blank save from an Aoife O’Flynn Meade penalty. 

However, it was Clonakilty who upped the ante when they added 1-5 to O’Neill’s solitary point in an 18-minute spell, Clon’s goal coming from a rebound from Lauren Eady. 

Fr O’Neill’s did try hard as time was running out and their perseverance was rewarded with a penalty, converted by Alison Huley, but time ran out on this occasion.

Scores -  Fr O Neill’s: Alison Hurley 1-2 (1-0 pen, 2f); Rachel Steele 1-0; Tara O’Neill, Lucy O’Keeffe, Kate Finn 0-1 each. Clonakilty: Katie O’Driscoll 1-4; Aoife O’Flynn Meade 0-6 (5f); Lauren Eady 1-0; Amy McCarthy 0-1.