Emotional day as Kildalkey coach is remembered
Sport has immense power to move people; stir up deep-down emotions. That certainly proved to be case at Ashbourne today when Kildalkey won the Intermediate Camogie Championship, defeating Trim, 1-8 to 1-3.
At the final whistle there were tears, hugs and a powerful outpouring of emotion. Some of the tears shed by players and supporters were joyful but there was sadness also as memories of the late Richie O'Donnell were evoked.
Richie was the coach of the Kildalkey team and he was preparing the side for the final when it was originally fixed for Athboy a few weeks.
Just before the game was due to get underway Richie suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. Despite frantic efforts to revive him he passed away. He was 48. The shock among the Kildalkey players and community, as well as the broader GAA community, was profound.
It was inevitable therefore that memories of Richie - who was a hugely popular figure - should dominate Saturday's game and its aftermath. Kildalkey captain Shone Kerrgian in a poignant acceptance speech dedicated the win to Richie and what he did for the club and the Kildalkey community where he lived.
She spoke about how he instilled confidence in the players helping them greatly on the road to success. He was originally from Ashbourne ensuring that the venue for the delayed final today was entirely appropriate.
"The girls really, really played for Richie today, they didn't give up, they kept going," said Kildalkey manager Vinny Kavanagh. "They did what Richie encouraged them always to do, never walk off the pitch with any regrets and they didn't have any regrets today.
It's great for Kildalkey as a club and it's brilliant that Donaghmore/Ashbourne agreed to stage the match. Today's victory is a great tribute to Richie as a man, his capabilities," added the manager who at one stage was swamped by emotional players.
"Richie was a gentle giant, someone who would listen to you and encourage you to keep going, keep going to the end," added the team manager.
Certainly Kildalkey put in a huge shift to win this game. Every player contributed. Aine Keogh won the 'player of the match' award (and she certainly gave a powerhouse display) but this was a team performance if there ever was one; a truly collective, united effort. The Kildalkey players really wanted to win this one for Richie.
Playing with the wind and down the slope in the opening half Kildalkey certainly played some sharp-paced camogie with Robyn Dunne clipping over a point. Then, on six minutes, Kidalkey made a very significant breakthrough. Caoimhe Bird, Andrea McBride and Laura O'Sullivan were involved in working the ball to Maire Keogh who finished smartly to the net.
Points from Clodaigh Colhoun, Dunne and Bird helped Kidalkey go in at the break with a 1-3 to 0-1 lead. Trim defended heroically in that opening half with Ciara Ashe an inspiration at the back while Shona White clipped over their only score of the half.
The team in red did have a very good third quarter and it spelt real danger for Kildalkey especially when Shone White, who had already scored a point just after the break, converted a penalty on 39 minutes. Immediately after Trim's goal Alex Donoghue also fired over to leave the teams level.
Emma Hanifin also had a shot rebound off the post. The force was with Trim. It was then the Kildalkey players seemed to decide that they would have no regrets; they would leave nothing on the field.
They found an extra gear with Dunne especially showing real leadership and skill, clipping over three quality points. Everyone dig in, contributed in some way. O'Sullivan also raised a white flag in the closing stages as the team in blue finished with a flourish.
They weren't going to leave this one behind them on a day of high emotion as well as fond memories for a man who certainly left his mark - Richie O'Donnell.
TEAMS
Kildalkey - Katie Smith; Caoimhe Swords, Rachel Brown, Shone Kerrigan; Zoe Darling, Caoimhe Bird, Ellen Conneely; Roybn Dunne, Aine Keogh; Beverley Lynch, Clodaigh Colhoun, Andrea McBride; Ashley McBride, Maire Keogh, Laura O'Sullivan. Subs - Fintina Kealy for Darling 25 mins, Anna Keogh for McBride 37m, Rachelle Potterton, Leah Barnwell, Emily Kealy, Emma McLoughlin, Ann Marie Kealy, Louise Canty, Emma Lyons, Grace O'Neill, Ellen Johnson, Ava Fox, Emma Fagan, Chloe Kavanagh, Helen Carroll, Alannah Hannon, Aoife Flynn, Leah Kelly, Debbie McMahon.
Trim - Grainne Ni Laoire; Laura O'Neill, Ciara Ashe, Stacey Donoghue; Anna Foley, Katie Holden, Blathnaid Hughes; Rian Kearns, Alex Donoghue; Hayley Kennedy, Emma Hanifin, Ellen Birmingham; Chantel Massey, Shone White, Leighann Massey. Subs - Julieanne Murtagh for Donoghue half-time; Emma O'Neill for C Massey 44m, Mary Andrews, Orlaith Slattery, Rachel McCormack, Laura O'Neill, Grace Cullen, Aoibhe McMorrow, Misha Beggs, Sinead Murphy, Deirbhile Clifford.
Referee - Michael McDonagh (O'Mahonys).
MATCH REPORT AND PHOTOS FROM GAME IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE