U23 All Ireland Championship 4th Round
Kilkenny 3-13
Cork 2-9
By Aoife Lanigan, PRO
On a sun-drenched day last Sunday in Pairc Lachtain, Freshford Kilkenny had a fantastic seven-point win over current table toppers Cork in the 4th Round of the U23A All Ireland Championship
There was a fast start with a goal at either end within five minutes of throw in, Amy Brenan had pointed on twenty seconds to give Kilkenny the lead from play
Cork opened their account with an Amy Sheppard goal on four minutes but from the puckout, their goalkeeper Ciara Hurley had to be at her best to deny Leah Brett’s goal effort before Amy Brennan won possession, finishing to the net to restore the home sides lead
Keeping the pressure on the Cork defence Kilkenny extended their lead with two Ellen Gunner points and with the sides evenly matched they traded points Emily O’ Donoghue narrowed the gap, Keara Ryan responded as Kilkenny maintained their three-point advantage
Ellen Gunner pointed a free to stretch their lead to four points but a Ciara Golden goal on seventeen minutes had Cork back to the minimum
As the pace dropped a little the side’s battled for scores an injury held up play giving the sides a chance of a breather and on the restart Ellen Gunner pointed from play to put Kilkenny two in front
Cork pressed hard & Emily O’Donoghue won a penalty but Kilkenny keeper Cara Duggan denied Eimear Duignan with an excellent save. Keeping the pressure on Amy McCarthy pointed but again Ellen Gunner who was superb for Kilkenny pointed, on the stroke of half time Amy Sheppard pointed a free to leave Kilkenny a point ahead at the break 1-7 to 2-3
Scores came fast and furious on the restart Amy Brennan had two Kilkenny points but in between Maebh O’Brien had one back for Cork and as the sides traded score for score Amy Brennan and Keara Ryan with a point each edged Kilkenny three points in front
Cork worked hard and an Amy Sheppard pointed free narrowed the gap, Ellen Gunner and Amy Brennan were prominent for Kilkenny as they battled to hold onto their lead, Cork kept the pressure on and with a lot of stoppages for injuries it was a stop start closing quarter.
Ciara Hurley denied Kilkenny substitute Marie Clare O’Dwyer with an excellent save but Kilkenny pressed, winning possession again and Claire Doheny finished to the left top corner of the net to put Kilkenny two goals clear as the game entered added time
Cork responded with three points without reply Erinn Curtin, Ellen Wigginton Barrett and Eimear Duignan on target but a Kilkenny goal from Lucy Boyd and a Keara Ryan point ensured it was the home side who prevailed
Kilkenny have a break next weekend and head to Dublin on the May Bank Holiday to finish out the round robin series
Scorers – Kilkenny – Ellen Gunner 0-7 (4f), Amy Brennan 1-3, Claire Doheny, Lucy Boyd 1-0 each, Keara Ryan 0-3
Cork – Amy Sheppard 1-2 (1f), Ciara Golden 1-0, Eimear Duignan 0-2 (1f), Emily O’Donoghue, Amy McCarthy, Maebh O’Brien, Erinn Curtin, Ellen Wigginton Barrett 0-1 each
Kilkenny: Cara Duggan, Rachel Brennan (Captain), Katie Ryan, Sofia Kerr, Niamh Phelan, Aine Rohan, Anna Doheny, Caoimhe Power, Kate McCluskey, Keara Ryan, Ellen Gunner, Claire Doheny, Katie Brennan, Leah Brett, Amy Brennan
Subs: Marie Claire O’Dwyer for Katie Brennan, Lucy Boyd for Leah Brett, Molly Conroy for Claire Doheny, Laoise Nolan, Caoimhe Carroll, Anna Purcell, Amy Cody, Eabha Carroll, Rose Kelly, Laura Doherty, Louise Hickey, Niamh Davis, Aoife Shealy, Michelle Killeen, Rachel Whelan, Shona Ruane, Tara McGrath, Laura Ronan
Cork: Ciara Hurley, Maedbh de Burca, Aoife Barrett, Amy O’Riordan, Liz O’Donovan, Laura Dunlea, Amy O’Sullivan, Amy McCarthy, Catherine Murphy, Amy Sheppard, Ciara Morrisson, Eimear Duignan, Maebh O’Brien, Emily O’Donoghue, Ciara Golden (Capt)
Subs: Sarah Murphy for Liz O’Donovan, Ellen Wigginton Barrett for Amy McCarthy, Erinn Curtin for Ciara Golden, Katie Cahalane for Laura Dunlea, Emma O’Sullivan, Niamh Kennedy, Mary Claire Murphy, Ellen Crowley, Oonagh Grimley, Aoife Byrne O’Riordan, Lucy O’Connell
Referee: Gavin Donegan, Dublin
By PRO Wed 29th Apr
