Kennedy’s golden touch helps Kilkenny Intermediates get back to winning ways

Glen Dimplex Intermediate All Ireland Championship

Kilkenny 3-11 Meath 0-10

By Aoife Lanigan, PRO

A week after their draw with Dublin, the Kilkenny intermediates got back to winning ways as they got the better of Meath by 10 points in Rathmolyon.

The win means the Cats have the upper hand in their group going into the final weekend of action next week.

In what was a closely fought opening quarter, Aoife Carey opened the scoring with a point from play for Meath before Danielle Morrissey equalised from the home side’s 65m line.

Ciara Foley slotted over a free before Danielle Morrissey converted two frees. Ciara Foley added two points to put Meath a point ahead by the 18th minute, but sideline cut from Morrissey split the posts in the 25th minute – that two-point score had Kilkenny back ahead.

Inspired by that strike Kilkenny kicked on, hitting 1-2 without reply to end the half in strong fashion, Caroline Kennedy rattled the Meath net in the 26th minute before Rachel Dowling and Hannah Scott hit points to leave the visitors 1-7 to 0-4 ahead at the interval.

Olivia O’Halloran drew first blood for Meath two minutes into the second half, but Kilkenny quickly had the bit between their teeth. By the end of the third quarter the lead stood at 2-9 to 0-6, Kennedy bagging her second goal of the afternoon with Carlise Comerford and Hannah Scott sending the white flag waving with minor scores.

Meath tried to reduce the deficit. Grace Connolly and Aoife Carey added scores for the hosts before Afton Grace added a third goal for the Cats in the 56th minute. The hosts kept plugging away, picking off points through Roisin Heaney and Connolly late on, but Morrissey capped a fine result with the last point of the day in stoppage time.

Kilkenny’s next game is away to Kildare on Saturday. Throw-in at Manguard Park in Newbridge is at 2pm.

Teams and scorers

Kilkenny – Caroline Kennedy (2-1); Danielle Morrissey (0-5, 0-2 frees, one sideline – two points for a sideline); Afton Grace (1-0); Hannah Scott (0-2); Rachel Dowling, Carlise Comerford (0-1 each).

Meath – Ciara Foley (0-3, 0-2 frees); Aoife Carey (0-2, 0-1 free); Grace Connolly (0-2); Olivia O’Halloran, Roisin Heaney, Amy Gaffney (0-1 each).

Kilkenny – Cliona Murphy; Niamh Leahy, Rachel Whelan, Jane Cass; Mairead Kennedy, Shauna Treacy, Hannah Scott; Danielle Morrissey, Laura Phelan; Lauren Ronan, Rachel Dowling, Aoife Cantwell; Claire Doheny, Caroline Kennedy, Carlise Comerford.

Subs: Niamh Crowley for Laura Phelan, Ciara Foskin for Rachel Dowling, Afton Grace for Carlise Comerford.

Meath – Maggie Randle; Sophia Payne, Claire Coffey, Rachel O’Neill; Leah Devine, Maeve Clince, Tracy King; Erin Leddy, Aoibhinn Lally; Amy Gaffney, Ciara Foley, Aoife Carey; Olivia O’Halloran, Grace Coleman, Emma Hannifin.

Subs: Grace Connolly for Grace Coleman, Katie Coleman for Emma Hannifin, Aine McNerney for Aoibhinn Lally, Roisin Heaney for Olivia O’Halloran, Ella O’Brien for Aoife Carey.

Referee – Fintan McNamara (Clare)