Kilamcud Crokes crowned Leinster champions

Kilmacud Crokes 4-15 Tinahely 0-08

A hat-trick from Player of the Match Éabha Rutledge guided Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes to their first-ever Leinster Senior Club title against Tinahely in front of large support in Bray Emmets on Sunday afternoon.

Rutledge hit 3-01, all from play, in a devastating display while Amy Conroy hit a fourth Crokes goal to seal their fate late on against the Wicklow champions.

The Kilmacud Crokes outfit hit an unanswered 1-06 in the second quarter, which was crucial to victory as it established a seven-point lead (2-07 to 0-05) at the break.

It was a lead that Crokes refused to relinquish as the Crokes defence proved unyielding with Molly Lamb enjoying a fine outing at centre half-back.

The sides were neck and neck in the opening quarter with Rutledge slotting home the first of her three goals on four minutes. Laura Hogan drew Tinahely level while Lucy Mulhall's only score came after 12 minutes to push the Wicklow champions into the lead.

Mulhall’s point proved to be Tinahely’s last score of the half as Kilmacud Crokes upped the gears and points from Kate Murray, Rutledge and an in-form Michelle Davoren pulled the Dubs clear.

Rutledge found the net for the second time just before the break as Davoren timed her pass to perfection while Julia Buckley ended the scoring for the half to leave Crokes ahead by seven.

On the resumption, Mia Jenning and Hogan swapped scores before Davoren hit her third point of the contest.

Rutledge secured her hat-trick as a Tinahely kick-out was won by Cassie Sultan. She found Buckley who, in turn, offloaded sharply to Rutledge and the Dublin star slotted home.

While Tinahely ran at the Crokes defence, they could not find the scores they needed although Wicklow star Hogan