Determined Cats drive past Dublin

Kilkenny 1-8

Dublin 0-6

Kilkenny opened their Littlewoods Ireland National Camogie League campaign with a dogged win over a determined Dublin team on Saturday

An early free from Denise Gaule, followed by a point from play from Gaule’s Windgap teammate Michaela Kenneally gave Brian Dowling’s team the perfect start at John Locke Park

That advantage became even greater when the Cats profited from a rub of the green after 7^th minutes, Aoife Doyle made the opening, taking a shot out on the 40m line. The sliotar bounced in front of the Dublin goalie and spun of her hurl into the net, extending Kilkenny’s lead to five points (1-2 to 0-0)

Dublin struggled to get into the game in the early stages, but finally got off the mark after 10 minutes with Aisling Maher converting a free after poor discipline from the home defence. However, that score was wiped out when Denise Gaule converted a free in the 12^th minute after Laura Murphy was fouled

Just before the first waterbreak, Gaule converted another free, taking her tally to three, to leave Kilkenny 1-4 to 0-1 in front

Quick out of the blocks

After the mini break, Kilkenny were quickest out of the blocks again, Kellyann Doyle gathered the sliotar in her own backline & broke through. With no-one to challenge her, Doyle continued her run towards the Dublin goal & fired over a great point

Dublin responded with two points from Maher (free) and Jody Couch. The scores proved vital, giving the visitors a lifeline as the scoreboard read 1-5 to 0-3 as the teams broke for half time

Dublin were first to score when Aisling Maher grabbed her side’s second point from play. This was followed by a fantastic point from play by Denise Gaule, who split the posts from a tight angle on the left wing

Roisin Baker reduced the deficit to four points but Kilkenny always seemed to have the upper hand. Miriam Walsh nabbed a point from play before another Gaule score, this time from a 45’ gave Kilkenny a six point lead midway through the second half

The final fifteen minutes saw the game’s intensity drop off. Only one more point was scored, Aisling Maher converting a 45’, but Kilkenny comfortable 1-8 to 0-6 winners

Next up for Kilkenny is a clash with Offaly. Their second round game will be on Saturday 29^th May

Scorers – Kilkenny – Denise Gaule (0-5, 4f), Aoife Doyle (1-0), Michaela Kenneally, Kellyann Doyle, Miriam Walsh (0-1 each)

Dublin – Aisling Maher (0-4, 3f), Jody Couch, Roisin Baker (0-1 each)

Kilkenny – Aoife Norris, Miriam Bambrick, Davina Tobin, Collette Dormer, Kellyann Doyle, Meighan Farrell (Captain), Claire Phelan, Grace Walsh, Niamh Deely, Miriam Walsh, Denise Gaule, Michaela Kenneally, Katie Nolan, Aoife Doyle, Laura Murphy

Subs : – Mary O’Connell for A. Doyle, Steffi Fitzgerald for Murphy, Lydia Fitzpatrick for Kenneally, Laura Norris for G. Walsh, Sarah Walsh for Nolan, Emma Kavanagh, Katie Power

Dublin – Faye McCarthy, Orla Gray, Eve O’Brien, Muireann Kelleher, Emma O’Byrne, Grainne Quinn, Hannah Hegarty (Captain), Emma Flanagan (Vice Captain), Roisin Baker, Niamh Gannon, Jody Couch, Aisling Maher, Gaby Couch, Kerrie Flanagan, Aoife Whelan

Subs : – Leah Butler for Walsh, Aoife Walsh for G. Couch,  Aoife Whelan for J Couch, Julia Buckley for Walsh, Aisling Carolan for E Flanagan