Kilkenny Intermediates put Saffrons to the sword

Glen Dimplex Intermediate All Ireland Championship 2nd Round

Kilkenny 5-30 Antrim 0-3

by Aoife Lanigan, PRO

Caroline Kennedy went on a scoring spree as the Kilkenny intermediate camogie team showed their claws at the weekend.

Kennedy helped herself to 3-4 as the Black and Amber put a gallant Antrim side to the sword on a sunny Saturday in UPMC Nowlan Park.

The Saffrons had no response to a Kilkenny side who were firing on all cylinders. The Cats hit very few wides and punished the away side with cynical finishing throughout.

The Kilkenny wave started straight from throw-in as Slieverue’s Kennedy scored a point and Mooncoin’s Crowley grabbed a goal within the opening two minutes, followed in to pounce after Colleen McAvoy had saved a Ciara Foskin shot.

It quickly became apparent that puck-outs were going to be important as Kilkenny swarmed the half-forward line, winning the majority of the Antrim deliveries.

Kilkenny midfielder Danielle Morrissey was dominating the middle and was grabbing points from outside the 45 with ease, as well as being laser-accurate from frees. Kennedy was a menace though, as she could come short, ball into hand, turn and put it over the bar as well as laying it off for wing forwards Afton Grace and Niamh Crowley to add to the increasing scoreline.

Much of the play came through Conahy’s Morrissey. She showed great vision and precision, knowing if the shot wasn’t on that she would pick out a better placed teammate.

Back to the puckouts. As they were coming from the Antrim goal at the O’Loughlin’s End the Kilkenny duo of Kate McCluskey and Aoife Cantwell won the majority as they seemed to come out the right side of the Kilkenny line up, leaving the Antrim back six and sweeper always under pressure throughout the half.

Antrim did score in the fourth minute though, as Aoibhinn McCloskey intercepted a loose hand pass and put the ball over the bar. Despite that, Kilkenny were just that bit sharper on and off the ball and could create space or find a player in space.

Antrim were trying to do the right things, but the ferocity of the Kilkenny side, especially the half-backs of Mairead Kennedy, Shauna Tracy and Hannah Scott, stopped their attempts to get into the game. Caroline Kennedy ended the half with two goals after being set up by Danielle Morrissey in the 12th minute and in the 27th minute after a great move involving Aoife Cantwell and Niamh Crowley. Morrissey also impressed in the first half, ending it with 10 points from midfield (3-19 to 0-1).

The second half started in a similar vein to the first as a goal inside 60 seconds from the unstoppable Caroline Kennedy sent Kilkenny on their way. Kennedy and Morrissey continued to pick off points as the home side swarmed the Antrim puck-outs.

In fairness to Antrim, they were improving. Using a shorter puck-out and running game they began to make forays towards the Kilkenny goal, which was reflected in a rising free count.

Aoibhinn McCloskey got her second point of the game from one of those frees that Antrim won, putting the ball over the bar from distance under the Ardán O Cearbhaill in the 46th minute.

Niamh Crowley scored Kilkenny’s fifth goal soon after as the game entered a bit of a lull as both sides used their substitutes.

Antrim never gave up and were improving as the game went on, with Sophia Erskine of Rossa scoring a lovely point from distance for Antrim’s third point in the 53rd minute.

Kilkenny continued to tack on the scores though and were home and hosed well before the final whistle. It will be their turn to go on the road this weekend as they travel to the Kingdom to take on Kerry in round four of the championship in Lixnaw.

Teams and scorers

Kilkenny – Danielle Morrissey (0-14, 0-5 frees); Caroline Kennedy (3-4); Niamh Crowley (2-2); Ellen Gunner (0-2, 0-1 free); Ciara Foskin (0-2); Emma Mulhall, Afton Grace, Hannah Scott, Aoife Cantwell, Carlise Comerford, Kate McCluskey (0-1 each).

Antrim – Aoibhinn McCloskey (0-2, 0-1 free), Sophia Erskine (0-1).

Kilkenny – Tara Murphy; Mairead Corcoran, Rachel Brennan, Jane Cass; Mairead Kennedy, Shauna Treacy, Hannah Scott; Kate McCluskey, Danielle Morrissey; Aoife Cantwell, Emma Mulhall, Ciara Foskin; Niamh Crowley, Caroline Kennedy, Afton Grace.

Subs: Ellen Gunner for Cantwell, h/t; Carlisle Comerford for C Kennedy, 37 mins; Eimear Leahy for Mulhall, 37 mins; Niamh Leahy for Scott, 44 mins; Cria Langton for Morrissey, 50 mins.

Antrim – Colleen McAvoy; Sarah Sharkey, Ciara Carleton, Laura O’Boyle; Aoife McMullen, Anna O’Kane, Caoimhe Bell; Aoibhinn McCloskey, Rachel McAreavey; Sophia Erskine, Shannon Darragh, Aoibhinn Vallely; Seana McAtamney, Emer Valley, Erin McMullan.

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Subs: Tricia Taggart for Vallely, 51 mins; Roisin McShane for McAtamney, 53 mins; Lisa Sandler for Valley, 54 mins; Patricia McCarry for Sharkey, 56 mins.

Referee – Colm Vaughan (Cork).