St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v Keeldra Gaels

St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins

St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v Glencar-Manorhamilton

St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v Annaduff

St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v St. Joseph’s

St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins

St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v Annaduff

St. Mary’s Kiltoghert v Kiltubrid

St. Mary’s v Glencar Manor

Leitrim v Kilkenny

Kilkenny’s Smith features in National League after crash.

On the face of it Leitrim's comfortable victory against new girls Kilkenny won't have really generated much more than a ripple of attention in the sporting landscape. An established Intermediate side playing in Division Four running up a cricket score against their lowly visitors.

Kilkenny, who travelled with only a single substitute, on what is only their second fixture on their return to the National League stage after a few years out of the game, were soundly beaten. Bereft of a number of players who are otherwise engaged, with mock Leaving Certificate exams over the coming days.

They made the five hour round trip journey north, more in hope than any real belief they could compete with their stronger, more established opponents, Leitrim, who had the luxury of replacing all fifteen starting players through the hour and a few extra to spare within the squad.

The struggle of football to compete in a county with every child is more comfortable with a sliotar and hurl in hand are well documented but despite the result on the pitch the determination and commitment shown by one member of their squad this afternoon to make it to Pairc Naomh Mhuire in Carrick on Shannon to ensure her side would have the numbers required to fulfil the fixture is admirable.

Sarah Smith, a student from the Kilkenny City LGFA Club, was driving from Galway to meet her teammates in Leitrim when disaster struck and she found herself and her car in the ditch on the side of the road on route. Thankfully the young student was unharmed in the car crash and set about getting herself to the game.

Speaking to FinalWhistle.ie after the game Smith said "I suppose the first thing that came to mind was 'I'm okay, I'm okay to play the match, I need to try get there. I just suppose it's the pride.'

"Camogie in Kilkenny is the thing that takes first place. I don't play camogie myself, I live and breathe football. I've played football since I was very young. I was determined to get here today, to show up for my county, to be there and show up for the girls, I didn't want to let the girls or the team down. It was important that I got her today despite everything else.

She also reflected on the challenging start herself and her team mates have had back in the National League over the last two weekends.

"Success would be, first of all, fielding a team for every match. Back before we stopped, a lot of games we were going to Derry or Wicklow with 13 or 14 players and we weren't able to field a full team. The fact that for our first two matches in our first year back we've had at least 15 players is a good start.

"The ultimate goal really is to do well in the Championship, even just to play the games, get the scores on the board and start promoting the game again in Kilkenny. Promotion is the big thing but to keep showing up and being there for each other and putting Kilkenny football back on the map."

Turning her attention to the crash and the aftermath she spoke about the practicality of what that now involved. "It's a minor thing, at least I'm here and was able play. All that will sort it self out."


In terms of the actual game, a fine scoring display from Leitrim saw them continue their blistering start to life under new manager Johnny Garrity as Vivienne Egan continued her own impressive start to the season scoring 1-6 before making way for Michelle Guckian (0-4) as Leah Fox scored a hat-trick of goals in her 3-3 contribution.

Laura O'Dowd, who's sister Eilish has featured at midfield for Dublin this season, added 2-3 to the team's tally while attacker Bronagh O'Rourke also chipped in with 1-3. Normally the chief scorers for the side Michelle Guckian and Ailbhe Clancy also added four points apiece.