Leinster U16B Championship 3rd Round
Kilkenny 2-14 Laois 4-7
by Tom Egan
A dominant opening half with the benefit of the elements set the scene for the Kilkenny U16B girls to qualify for the U16B Leinster final in two weeks time although they did fade in the second half and were happy to hear the final whistle as Laois brought the deficit back to one point with a strong second half display. Both sides will now meet again in the Leinster final which should be closely fought on the evidence of Sunday morning’s hard fought match in Rathdowney.
The Kilkenny girls opened smartly with the benefit of the elements and four quick points inside the first seven minutes from Laoise Kehoe (1 from play, 1 free), Lauren Skehan and Emma Daly. Laois rallied with a pointed free from Chloe Boylan and a goal from a free in the 8th minute by the same player levelled up the match. Kilkenny were undeterred by the loss of this goal and driven on by Rachel Murphy at centre-back, they proceeded to dominate the rest of the half with scores flowing from a lively forward line – this started with a fine goal from play by Rachel Duff and was followed by points from Ailbhe Ni Casaide, Laoise Kehoe (2 frees), Moya Egan and Noa Bambrick and when Laoise Kehoe goaled in the 25th minute, they looked likely for a convincing win. This was reflected in a half time lead of 2-11 to 1-3.
The opening exchanges in the second half saw both sides trade minor scores and Kilkenny were still well in control of affairs with a lead of 2-13 to 1-6 by the 45th minute. Laois improved from here to the finish and two goals from Robyn Percy saw the deficit reduce to four points by the 53rd minute. A Moya Egan did steady the Kilkenny side but a further 1-1 for Laois with the goal coming from a Chloe Boylan free saw the deficit down to the minimum by full time. Best for a Kilkenny side all of whom had their best moments in the first half were Faye Sutton, Rachel Murphy, Noa Bambrick, Emma Daly, Ailbhe Ni Casaide, Lauren Skehan and Rachel Duff.
Kilkenny: Aisling Power, Tullogher Rosbercon (Joint Capt), Hillary Muldowney, Rower Inistioge, Eva Roche, John Lockes, Faye Sutton, Mooncoin, Julia Adamczyk, O’Loughlin Gaels, Rachel Murphy, Tullogher Rosbercon, Ruby Doyle, St Martins, . Noa Bambrick, Barrow Rangers, Ailbhe Ní Casaide, Danesfort, Lauren Skehan, Bennettsbridge, Emma Daly, St Martins, Laoise Kehoe, Rower Inistioge, Niamh Moore, James Stephens, Moya Egan, Windgap, Rachel Duff, Blacks & Whites. Subs: Molly Phelan, Ballyhale Shamrocks, Alice Quinn, James Stephens, Amber Hogan, O’Loughlin Gaels, Saoirse Walsh, Ballyhale Shamrocks, Mia Phelan, St Lachtains, Rebecca Smith, Barrow Rangers, Millie Ireland Wall, Danesfort, Ava Darcy, Ballyhale Shamrocks, Cora Doherty, St Annes, Stephanie Phelan, Mooncoin, Ruby Farrell, Blacks & Whites, Beibhinn Shefflin, Ballyhale Shamrocks, Ellen Hanafin, Danesfort, Kate Hayden, Blacks & Whites, Ella Talbot, Glenmore, Ruby Norris, Piltown, Isabelle Murphy, Tullogher Rosbercon (Joint Capt).
Laois: Alison Kenna, Chloe Lyons, Eimear Redmond, Leah Murphy, Eimear McEvoy, Kate Kenna, Ava Dowling, Aine Duggan, Sarah Hibbits, Kaela, O’Connor, Chloe Boylan (2-7, 2-6 frees, 0-1F), Vivienne Gee, Robyn Percy (2-0), Lucy Ryan, Molly Gorman.
