Kilkenny prove too strong for brave Saffron’s

Kilkenny 2-15               Antrim 1-10

The Kilkenny intermediate team got there All Ireland Championship campaign back on track when they defeated Antrim 2-15 to 1-10 in Ahoghill on Saturday.
Kilkenny began the game well and were on the scoreboard within the opening minute when Sarah Kent tapped over a free. Kelly Ann Doyle doubled Kilkenny’s advantage in the sixth minute. Antrim responded with an Emma McMullan free a minute later. Sarah Kent then got in for a Kilkenny goal in the eleventh minute to put Kilkenny 1-02 to a point ahead.  Sarah Ann Quinlan then tapped over a point in the fifteenth minute to extended Kilkenny’s lead to five. Emma McMullan responded with another point from a free for Antrim in the sixteenth minute. Emma Comerford responded with a point for the victors a minute later to put Kilkenny 1-04 to 0-02 ahead. Antrim responded well with three points on the trot from Charlene Campbell, Joanne Campbell and a further Emma McMullan free to cut the gap to a goal after twenty seven minutes.  Kilkenny sensed that Antrim were getting a grip in the game and got in for a crucial goal in the twenty ninth minute when Jenny Clifford latched onto a rebound from a Sarah Ann Quinlan effort that was saved. Emma Comerford then tapped over a point on the stroke of half time to see Kilkenny go in 2-06 to 0-05 ahead at the break.
Kilkenny began the second half like they left off in the first and got three points on the bounce from Sarah Crowley, Laura Norris and a free from Sarah Kent to go 2-09 to 0-05 ahead. Credit has to go to the Saffron’s as they bounced back with 1-01 on the trot. Emma McMullan started the run with a free before Charlene Campbell latched onto a high ball in the Kilkenny square to bat the ball to the net.  Edel Coonan responded with a point for the Cats before Emma Comerford tapped over a free in the forty sixth minute. Ornagh O’Hara responded with a point for Antrim before Emma Comerford tapped over a further free to make it 2-11 1-07 after forty eight minutes.  Emma McMullan then tapped over a free in the fiftieth minute her fifth of the afternoon. Emma Comerford responded with two frees on the trot for Kilkenny in the fifty third and fifth minute before Sarah Crowley tapped over a fine solo effort to put Kilkenny 2-14 to 1-08 ahead. Sarah Kent then tapped over a free going into added time.  Antrim closed out the game with two points on the trot, but it was Kilkenny’s day and they recorded a comfortable eight point win 2-15 to 1-10. Kilkenny will now play Waterford away in their final game next Saturday.

Kilkenny Team:  1. Kirsty Maher, 2. Katie Nolan, 3. Brigid Grennan, 4. Therese Muldowney ,5.Sarah Kent,6. Rebecca Cleere, 7. Aisling Nolan, 8. Edel Frisby, 9. Kellyann Doyle, 10. Sarah Walsh, 11. Laura Norris (Capt), 12. Sarah Crowley, 13. Emma Comerford, 14. Sarah Ann Quinlan, 15. Jenny Clifford,

Subs: 16. Catherine Connolly, 17. Michaela Kenneally, 18. Ann Maire Lennon, 19. Noelle Murphy, 20. Aisling Butler, 21. Ruth Jones, 22. Ciara Murphy, 23. Christine Lyng, 24. Edel Coonan, 25. Claire Aylward, 26. Niamh Leahy, 27. Ailish Butler, 28. Deirdre Walsh, 29. Maguarite Hoynes, 30.Vivienne Forristal, 31. Niamh Bambrick, 32. Laura Murphy, 33. Miriam Bambrick, 34. Danielle Kenny,