All-Ireland and League Champions, Kilkenny are now second in Group 1 in the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1

After defeating Waterford 2-12 to 0-14 in a humdinger at the WIT Arena in Carriganore on Sunday they ended up nicely placed in the table

The Cats are using the League to give new players a chance, while at the same time they want to remain competitive. So far things are working out nicely for them

Waterford were first to register on the scoreboard with a point scored by Beth Carton. Miriam Walsh (K) collected a puck out in midfield in the third minute and went on a solo-run towards the home goal. She was unfortunate to see her hand passed effort for a goal hit an upright and the ball went wide.

Four and a half minutes has passed when Kelly Ann Doyle (K) collected a puck out from goalkeeper Ann Marie Lennon who was very accurate with her deliveries to her colleagues. Doyle scored a fine point to level the scores.

Went ahead

Denise Gaule (K) was wide from two frees before the Deise went ahead on the 9^th minute through a free from Beth Carton. The same player was again on target in the 13^th minute from a placed ball. Following some crafty interaction from the Kilkenny forwards, Julieann Malone fired over a lovely point after 16^th minutes. A short time later, Jenny Reddy placed a pass across field to Jenny Clifford who hand passed to strong running colleague Miriam Walsh. The latter blasted passed the Waterford keeper to give Kilkenny the lead 1-2 to 0-4. The roving Jenny Clifford put the visitors further ahead following good interplay between Miriam Walsh and Denise Gaule to set her up for a fine point. Julieann Malone followed up with another point to push Kilkenny a goal ahead on the 24^th minute. The home side pointed from a free shortly afterwards through Beth Carton only to be cancelled by a Claire Phelan pointed free

These exchanges left the half time score: Kilkenny 1-5 Waterford 0-5

On the resumption of play, Miriam Walsh (K) pointed from play. That score was followed quickly by the home side pointing through another Beth Carton free. Between the 36^th & 40^th minute, both teams traded points, two points through Beth Carton frees, which were sandwiched between points from Kilkenny’s Niamh Deely and a Michelle Quilty free. In the 42^nd minute, Beth Carton scored her ninth point of the day, from a free after she was fouled. The Noresiders then scored 1-2 without reply in the next four minutes. The points were registered by Michelle Quilty (f) and Grace O’Donnell, before a well worked goal after a great solo-run from midfield and pass from Grace O’Donnell ended with Denise Gaule crashing the ball into the net

Closing Points

Beth Carton tagged on another two pointed frees in the 48^th & 52^nd minutes. Jenny Reddy & Kelly Ann Doyle scored Kilkenny’s closing two points in the 56^th & 57^th minutes, before the Deise women finished off the scoring with three points though Beth Carton (2 frees) & Niamh Rockett

Next up for Kilkenny Seniors is a home game against table topping Cork on Saturday 1^st April

Scores – Kilkenny – Miriam Walsh 1-1, Denise Gaule 1-0, Kelly Ann Doyle, Julieann Malone, Michelle Quilty 0-2 each, Jenny Clifford, Claire Phelan, Niamh Deely, Grace O’Donnell, Jenny Reddy 0-1 each

Waterford – Beth Carton 0-13 (0-12f), Niamh Rockett 0-1

Kilkenny – Ann Marie Lennon, Miriam Frisby, Catherine Foley, Laura Murphy, Claire Phelan, Meighan Farrell, Aisling Nolan, Niamh Deely, Jenny Reddy, Kelly Ann Doyle, Julieann Malone, Denise Gaule, Danielle Morrissey, Miriam Walsh, Jenny Clifford

Subs – Michelle Quilty for Danielle Morrissey, Michelle Teehan for Laura Murphy, Grace O’Donnell for Jenny Clifford, Stacey Quirke for Aisling Nolan, Roisin Phelan for Miriam Frisby, Grace Walsh for Niamh Deely, Emma Kavanagh, Sarah Crowley, Aisling Dunphy, Katie Power, Aine Gannon, Sarah Kent

Waterford – Tracey Kiely, Aine Power, Emma Hannon-Roche (Joint Capt), Clare Whyte, Aoife Landers, Shona Kiernan, Mairead Power, Fiona Morrissey (Joint Capt), Lorraine Bray, Niamh Rockett, Iona Heffernan, Kate McMahon, Catriona McGlone, Beth Carton, Brianna O’Regan

Subs – Valerie O’Brien, Annie Glavey, Niamh Ahearne, Jenny McCarthy, Marie Russell, Becky Kavanagh, Aoife Shanahan, Ciara Twomey, Niamh Murphy, Ciara Jackman, Kate Lynch, Kaeisha Tobin, Laura Murray, Sadie Mai Rowe, Sibeal Harney

Referee – Cathal Egan, Cork