Kilkenny survive scare to maintain their 100% record

Kilkenny 2-17

Westmeath 1-11

Kilkenny made it two from two in this years Senior All Ireland Camogie Championship when they defeated Westmeath in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar last Saturday

This Round 2 victory was a hard-fought win as the Lake County were the better side for large portions of the game

It was a similar start to the match with Clare as Katie Nolan opened the scoring before a Megan Dowdall point and a Hannah Core goal gave the homeside an early three point lead

Muireann Scally converted a free for Westmeath to extend the lead. Denise Gaule finally opened her account at the fifth attempt with a free and Katie Nolan’s second point after a low ball into the forward line from Miriam Bambrick left two between the sides after 15 minutes, Kilkenny 0-3 Westmeath 1-2

Clonkill sharpshooter, Megan Dowdall added to her personal tally with another two frees prior to the 1^st waterbreak as Westmeath took a four point lead on a warm day in Mullingar

A Gaule free was the first score when play resumed, but Westmeath’s Sheila McGrath replied almost immediately with a point from play

Gaule got her first point from play 5 minutes from half time. A short time later, Megan Dowdall got her fifth point of the game for Westmeath

Denise Gaule a 45’ after Fiona Keating turned a well struck Aoife Doyle shot around the post. Steffi Fitzgerald and Meabh Scally exchanged points before Sheila McGrath got the final score of the half to give the hosts a 1-8 to 0-7 lead at the interval

The new half opened with a Gaule point from a free just inside the Westmeath 45’. The Kilkenny forwards came more into the game at this stage as Mary O’Connell reduced the gap to two points

Muireann Scally & Megan Dowdall replied as Westmeath led 1-10 to 0-9 after 10 minutes of the second half

Substitute Michaela Kenneally and a Gaule free added two points for the visitors before another substitute Katie Power reduced the deficit to a single point 0-12 to 1-10

The key moment in the match came with the last play before the 2^nd waterbreak as Steffi Fitzgerald found Miriam Walsh who hit a rasper of a shot to rattle the back of the net

This was a crucial goal as it gave Kilkenny the lead for the first time since the 2^nd minute of the game

Two points from Gaule, one from play and one from a free, gave Brian Dowling’s side a four point lead

Katie Nolan scored her third point as the Cats took control of the game, moving into a 1-15 to 1-10 lead

The impressive Steffi Fitzgerald split the posts after Miriam Walsh had knocked down the sliotar into her path

Sheila McGrath and Michaela Kenneally exchanged points but a Katie Nolan goal soon after spelt the end of a strong challenge from a brave Westmeath side, Kilkenny eventually running out winners 2-17 to 1-11

Next up for Kilkenny is a home tie with Galway in John Locke Park, Callan on Saturday 31^st July @ 5pm

Scorers – Kilkenny – Denise Gaule (0-8, 6f), Katie Nolan (1-3), Miriam Walsh (1-0), Steffi Fitzgerald, Michaela Kenneally (0-2 each), Mary O’Connell, Katie Power (0-1 each)

Westmeath – Megan Dowdall (0-5, 4f), Hannah Core (1-0), Sheila McGrath (0-3), Muireann Scally (0-2, 2f), Meabh Scally (0-1)

Kilkenny – Emma Kavanagh, Michelle Teehan, Claire Phelan, Davina Tobin, Kellyann Doyle, Meighan Farrell (Capt), Miriam Bambrick, Niamh Deely, Grace Walsh, Denise Gaule, Mary O’Connell, Steffi Fitzgerald, Katie Nolan, Miriam Walsh, Aoife Doyle

Subs – Collette Dormer for Michelle Teehan, Laura Murphy for Miriam Bambrick, Michaela Kenneally for Grace Walsh, Katie Power for Aoife Doyle, Aoife Prendergast for Mary O’Connell

Westmeath – Fiona Keating, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Emily McCabe, Laura Doherty, Amy Cully, Fiona Leavy, Aisling Egerton, Muireann Scally, Jade McKeogh, Megan Dowdall, Jane Nangle, Sheila McGrath, Hannah Core, Meabh Scally, Aoife Doherty

Subs – Caoimhe McCrossan for Jane Nangle

Referee – Kevin O’Brien