Kilkenny Intermediates hit the ground running with win over Carlow

Glen Dimplex Intermediate All Ireland Championship 1st Round

by Aoife Lanigan, PRO

Kilkenny 2-13 Carlow 0-8

There was no neighbourly love as the Kilkenny intermediates hit the ground running in the opening round of their All-Ireland campaign.

Carlow were swept aside in John Locke Park as the Cats recorded an impressive 11-point win.

Rachel Dowling got the ball rolling with a free for Kilkenny, before Eleanor Treacy equalised for Carlow with a like score.

Dowling added another two points for Kilkenny, to which Eve Sinnott and Eleanor Treacy tacked on points for Carlow. In a see-saw start, Dowling added another point to push the home side in front again.

Kilkenny took a big step ahead when, in the 16th minute, they were awarded a free in their own half. Hannah Scott’s delivery sailed in and bounced in front of Carlise Comerford. Having followed the flight of the sliotar, she was in the right place to lash it to the net. Comerford also grabbed the next score, hitting a point, as Kilkenny began to pull away.

The home side kept their scoring run going with points from Danielle Morrissey – back after a lengthy injury lay-off – and Emma Mulhall. Morrissey added another lovely point, this one sandwiched between two Carlow points from Eleanor Treacy (free) and Caoimhe Coady, to leave the Cats six ahead at the break (1-8 to 0-5).

Kilkenny were quick off the mark after the restart, Lauren Ronan extending her side’s lead when she scored a great point.

While Eleanor Treacy replied with a free for Carlow, Kilkenny hit three without reply through Rachel Dowling (free), Danielle Morrissey and Emma Mulhall to push the lead out to nine.

Ciara Kavanagh and Aibha Kiernan pulled back points for Carlow, but Kilkenny were about to turn the screw again. With 55 minutes on the clock full-forward Caroline Kennedy fielded the sliotar and unleashed a piledriver. Carlow ’keeper Catherine Kavanagh saved the initial shot, but Kennedy followed in to slam the rebound to the net. Kennedy finished with a flourish, adding the final point to seal a good win for the Cats.

Kilkenny’s next match is on Saturday, June 8 against Antrim at a Kilkenny venue.

Teams and scorers

Kilkenny – Rachel Dowling (0-5, frees); Carlise Comerford, Caroline Kennedy (1-1 each); Danielle Morrissey (0-3); Emma Mulhall (0-2); Lauren Ronan (0-1).

Carlow – Eleanor Treacy (0-4, frees); Eve Sinnott, Caoimhe Coady, Aibha Kiernan, Ciara Kavanagh (0-1 each).

Kilkenny – Cliona Murphy; Niamh Leahy, Rachel Brennan, Jane Cass; Mairead Kennedy, Shauna Treacy, Hannah Scott; Danielle Morrissey, Kate McCluskey; Aoife Cantwell, Emma Mulhall, Lauren Ronan; Carlise Comerford, Caroline Kennedy, Rachel Dowling.

Subs: Niamh Crowley for R Dowling, Ellen Gunner for E Mulhall, Afton Grace for A Cantwell, Laura Phelan for N Leahy.

Carlow – Catherine Kavanagh; Niamh Canavan, Rachel Breen, Gillian Doyle; Mairead O’Shea, Michelle Nolan, Anna Breen; Caoimhe Coady, Eleanor Treacy; Eve Sinnott, Aibha Kiernan, Michaela Donoghue; Ciara Kavanagh, Anna Murphy, Holly Wall.

Subs: Niamh Minchin for M Nolan (inj), Emma Lillis for A Murphy, Rebecca Kelly for M Donoghue, Clodagh Lawler for M O’Shea, Shauna Sweeney for H Wall.

Referee – Mike Ryan (Tipperary)