Leinster Intermediate Semi Final
Kilkenny 0-17 Laois 2-12
By Aoife Lanigan, PRO
Kilkenny gave their all but came up short, when beaten by Laois in the Leinster Intermediate Semi Final
The Cat’s, the county’s U23 side pushed their rivals hard in Pairc Lachtain on Bank Holiday Monday, but fell to the O’Moore County side by the narrowest of margins
Aimee Collier opened the scoring with a point from play for Laois, before Kilkenny equalised straight away through Amy Cody. Susie Delaney & Rachel Dowling then swapped points before Kilkenny hit a purple patch, scoring the next six points without reply. Emma Mulhall bagged a brace, one a great point from out on the stand sideline with Lauren Ronan, Rachel Dowling (2, 1f) & Keara Ryan adding to the run
TRADING POINTS
Clodagh Tynan & Rachel Dowling then traded points, before the Midlanders hit three unanswered points from Kaylee O’Keeffe, Aimee Collier (f) & Alanna Tynan. The homeside then hit the final two points of the half, Ellen Gunner & Keara Ryan splitting the posts, to leave the Cats with a solid lead at the break (Kilkenny 0-11 Laois 0-6)
Laois were first to strike on the resumption of play, Aimee Collier pointing a free. While Rachel Dowling slotted over a 45’ for Kilkenny. Liaden C Fennell & Aimee Collier kept Laois on the front foot
Emma Mulhall led the charge for Kilkenny, scoring another great point, from the dugout sideline, but Laois hit back with a goal, Alanna Tynan pouncing after Susie Delaney’s shot had been saved
Two more points from Clodagh Tynan & Aimee Collier (both frees) edged Laois in front before a second goal pushed the gap out to five points (2-12 to 0-13)
NARROWED DEFICIT
Kilkenny didn’t panic, hit two points to narrow the deficit but Susie Delaney found another point for Laois to put the gap back out to three. Ellen Gunner & Rachel Dowling (f) slotted over a point each for Kilkenny, leaving the bare minimum between the sides
The Cats kept pressing for an equaliser, going close with an injury time free, but a last-gasp effort into the wind failed to find the target, Laois held on for the narrow win
Kilkenny now get ready for the new U23 All Ireland Championship with a game against Cork on May 24 (time & venue to be confirmed)
Kilkenny – Rachel Moloney, Laoise Nolan, Rachel Whelan, Sofia Kerr, Tara McGrath, Caoimhe Carroll (Captain), Laura Phelan, Ciara O’Keeffe, Keara Ryan, Emma Mulhall, Rachel Dowling, Ellen Gunner, Lauren Ronan, Amy Cody, Amy Brennan
Subs – Muireann Gannon for Ciara O’Keeffe, Julie Lennon for Amy Cody, Sinead Farrell, Hannah Larkin, Kate Ryan, Marie Claire O’Dwyer, Katie Brennan, Anna Doheny, Eabha Carroll, Emma Poyntz, Aisling Browne, Eadaoin Coady, Grace Barcoe, Niamh Holohan
Laois – Aedin Lowry, Laura Finlay, Ellen Conroy, Fiona Scully, Shona Jones, Clodagh Tynan, Sarah Creagh, Alice Walsh, Liaden C Fennell, Sinead Slevin, Alanna Tynan, Kaylee O’Keeffe, Eimear Hassett, Aimee Collier, Susie Delaney
Subs – Grace Foxe, Aoife Delaney, Kayla Dwyer, Aofie Gee, Meadhbh Bolger, JulieAnn Bennett, Emer Conroy, Aoibheann Stynes, Amy Daly, Kirsten Keenan, Lynda Keyes
