Leinster Senior Semi Final
Kilkenny 4-11 Dublin 2-12
By Aoife Lanigan, PRO
Kilkenny are through to the Leinster Senior Final after beating a determined Dublin
However, Saturday’s game at St Peregrine’s will be remembered for a different reason. Both teams had come out for the warm up wearing shorts. Both Captains went for the Coin Toss when Match officials noticed them wearing the shorts. The Captains were told that the match would be abandoned if they did not go back into the changing rooms and change into their skorts. After a delay, the match went ahead
When the match did get underway, Dublin got off the mark with an Aoife McKearney point from a placed ball. A minute later, Kate Nolan pulled on the sliotar towards the Dublin goal. The ‘keeper came off her line, but corner forward Steffi Fitzgerald was quickest to react and she lashed the sliotar to the back of the net
The sides traded points after that through Sinead Wylde & Laura Murphy (free), but Kilkenny took a big step forward when they were awarded a sixth minute free. When the ball was moved forward for dissent. Niamh Deely sent in a high ball towards the square. A sea of players battled for possession, but Aoife Prendergast made the vital connection to flick the ball home. With further points from Laura Murphy (2fs) & Steffi Fitzgerald, the Cats were in a commanding position
Dublin came back with a vengeance, Aisling Maher hitting the net with an unstoppable shot, to which Aoife McKearney added another pointed free
The visitors hit back, Prendergast grabbing her second goal for Kilkenny after a telling pass from Steffi Fitzgerald. Although Dublin then hit the final three scores of the half, through Aoife McKearney (f), Aisling Maher (f) & Claire Gannon. Kilkenny still had a good lead at the break (3-4 to 1-6)
GREEN FLAG
Tommy Shefflin’s side didn’t hang about after the restart, hitting 1-2 without reply. Murphy (f) & Prendergast landed the points. Caoimhe Keher Murtagh raising the green flag
The sides continued to trade points, but Kilkenny remained of Dublin’s reach. Katie Nolan, Mary O’Connell & Laura Murphy (f) hit the target for the Cats with Dublin replying through Aisling Maher (f), Grace O’Shea & Sinead Wylde. O’Shea would add a goal late on, pouncing on a loose ball. Dublin finished with scores from Wylde & Maher (f), but minors from Kellyann Doyle & Sophie Holden ensured Kilkenny booked their place in the final against Wexford on May 17
Scorers – Kilkenny – Aoife Prendergast 2-1, Laura Murphy 0-5 (5f), Steffi Fitzgerald 1-1, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh 1-0, Katie Nolan, Mary O’Connell, Kellyann Doyle, Sophie Holden 0-1 each
Dublin – Aisling Maher 1-4 (4f), Grace O’Shea 1-1, Aoife McKearney 0-3 (3f), Sinead Wylde 0-3, Claire Gannon 0-1
Kilkenny: Aoife Norris, Michelle Teehan, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Ava Brett, Niamh Deely, Caoimhe Dowling, Katie Power (Capt), Sarah Barcoe, Laura Greene, Mary O’Connell, Laura Murphy, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Katie Nolan, Aoife Prendergast, Steffi Fitzgerald
Subs – Kellyann Doyle for Katie Nolan, Aobha O’Gorman for Laura Greene, Sophie Holden for Sarah Barcoe, Ali Kennedy, Ciara Phelan, Miriam Bambrick, Danielle Quigley, Asha McHardy, Carlise Comerford, Maria Brennan, Sophie O’Dwyer, Sinead O’Keeffe, Mairead Kennedy, Claire Doheny, Katie Byrne, Niamh Crowley
Dublin: Eimear Hurley, Abby Ryan, Hannah Leddy, Emma O’Byrne, Claire Gannon, Kerrie Finnegan, Sarah Power, Gaby Couch, Aoife McKearney, Sinead Wylde, Grace O’Shea, Sibeal Cherry, Aisling Gannon, Emma Moran, Aisling Maher
Subs – Jennifer Moore for Aoife McKearney, Aisling O’Neill for Emma Moran, Aoife Heffernan for Gaby Couch, Niamh Comerford for Kerrie Finnegan, Aoife Higgins for Sibeal Cherry, Mia Farrell. Aoife Kenny, Emily Adderly, Christine Shanahan, Aine Rafter, Emma Flanagan, Grainne Skelton, Roisin Ni Chathasaigh, Zoe Couch, Issabel Davis
