Shinrone make winning start to Offaly Camogie Championship defence

Shinrone made a winning start to their defence of the Offaly Senior Camogie Championship with a 2-13 to 0-6 win over Kinnitty on Sunday evening.

Grainne Egan got Shinrone off to the perfect start with three early points while a goal from Michelle Davis midway through the lead put the defending champions on their way to a 1-11 to 0-4 half-time lead. In a low scoring second-half, captain Michaela Morkan added a second goal for Shinrone as they cruised to victory. Offaly goalkeeper Eleanor Clendenned was outstanding between the posts for Kinnitty making a string of fine stops.

Also in Group 1, last year’s beaten semi-finalists Birr also opened their account with a win as they eventually saw off a determined Kilcormac/Killoughey side by 3-12 to 2-8.

Last year’s Junior Champions Kilcormac/Killoughey led at the break by 2-7 to 1-7 with Debbie Flynn leading the way however Birr dominated the second-half outscoring their opponents by 1-5 to 0-1 with Offaly captain Arlene Watkins top scoring with 1-4.

The first game on Sunday pitted St Sinchill’s/Lusmagh against Drumcullen in Lusmagh and it was the home side who prevailed by 1-17 to 3-6. Jean Brady was the star of the show scoring 13 points as St Sinchill’s/Lusmagh overcame a young Drumcullen side that had eight players under 20 in their starting line up.

The game between St Rynagh’s and Tullamore was postponed until May 19 due to the involvement of a number of players with the Offaly Ladies Football team in the League Final on Saturday.