Winning start in back-to-back bid

Liberty Insurance Senior Championship

Kilkenny 2-15

Waterford 0-6

Kilkenny opened the bid for back-to-back National League and All-Ireland senior camogie championship doubles in fine style when they completely dominated near neighbours Waterford in the opening Group 1 tie at Walsh Park on Saturday

The Champions went into the match on the back of a strong run having won another League title and adding a Leinster crown as well

Kilkenny hit the ground running. They shot three points during the opening three minutes from Katie Power, Denise Gaule (free) and Julieann Malone

Aine Lyng stemmed the tide with a pointed free, but it was a momentary respite. Kilkenny hit back for a goal from Shelly Farrell and four points without reply through Julieann Malone (2), Shelly Farrell & Katie Power

All of a sudden the score was 1-7 to 0-1

Steadied Ship

Beth Carton steadied the ship for Waterford again from a placed ball. The teams shared equally in four points before the break with Anna Farrell, Denise Gaule (45 free) registered for the visitors and Aine Lyng, Beth Carton (both frees) replied

The score at half time was 1-9 to 0-4

Purple Patch

Carton reduced the deficit to seven points soon after the resumption. Kilkenny then hit a purple patch between the 44^th & 61^st minute, when they scored 1-6 without reply. The goal was scored by Katie Power. The points added by Danielle Morrissey (3 frees), Miriam Walsh, Anna Farrell & Katie Power

Beth Carton closed out the scoring with a pointed free. The contest was long over, however

Scorers – Kilkenny – Katie Power (1-3); Shelly Farrell (1-1); Julieann Malone (0-3); Danielle Morrissey (0-3, two frees); Anna Farrell (0-2); Denise Gaule (0-2, one free, one 45); Miriam Walsh 0-1

Waterford – Beth Carton (0-4, frees), Aine Glynn (0-2, frees)

Kilkenny – Emma Kavanagh; Catherine Foley, Davina Tobin, Colette Dormer; Claire Phelan, Anne Dalton, Grace Walsh; Meighan Farrell, Anna Farrell; Julieann Malone, Katie Power, Denise Gaule; Shelly Farrell, Miriam Walsh, Michelle Quilty

Subs – Danielle Morrissey for J Malone; Jenny Clifford for S Farrell; Jenny Reddy for A Farrell; Aisling Dunphy for C Phelan; Grace O’Donnell for D Gaule; Ann-Marie Lennon, Jacqui Frisby, Laura Murphy, Miriam Frisby, Aisling Nolan, Aoife Doyle, Roisin Phelan, Sarah Ann Quinlan, Sarah Crowley, Sarah Kent, Stacey Quirke

Waterford – Brianna O’Regan; Marie Russell, Fiona Morrissey, Claire Whyte; Mairead Power, Shauna Kiernan, Iona Heffernan; Kate McMahon, Aoife Landers; Niamh Rockett, Beth Carton, Aine Lyng; Caithriona McGlone, Jenny McCarthy, Lorraine Bray

Subs – Becky Kavanagh, Valerie O’Brien, Niamh Ahearne, Annie Glavey, Aine Power, Aoife Shanahan, Niamh Murphy, Ciara Twooney, Sadie Mai Rowe, Abbey Dunphy, Clara Griffin, Emma Hannon, Ciara Jackman

Referee – Eamonn Cassidy, Derry