Champs give master class in Athenry to dig out great win

Kilkenny 2-10

Galway 1-8

All-Ireland champions, Kilkenny needed an injury time point from Denise Gaule to snatch a draw against Clare at Nowlan Park last week, this meant a positive result in Athenry’s Kenny Park on Saturday against one of their most serious challengers Galway was a must

The National League and O’Duffy Cup holders reacted brilliantly and got the result required

“Delighted with the win. The players work-rate was excellent”, said satisfied Kilkenny manager, Ann Downey

“It was hard work from everyone, from the Goalkeeper to the subs that came on. They upped their performance from last week”, she felt

Master Class

It was a master class by the Cats as they denied their opponents any space and forced errors from which they capitalised. Anne Dalton was the driving force for the visitors, winning the Liberty Insurance Player of the Match

The first half was a low scoring affair. Denise Gaule scored the opening point from a free after Anna Farrell was fouled at the throw-in. Ailish O’Reilly equalised in the 6^th minute from a free

The play then went to and fro until the 12^th minute, when Danielle Morrissey slotted over a free for Kilkenny. Between the 13^th and 24^th minute play swung from end to end, with neither side adding to their tally

Then Anne Dalton intercepted an attempted Galway pass and surged upfield before banging over from 60 metres. Galway responded with points from Noreen Coen, Ailish O’Reilly (free) and Niamh Kilkenny to led by 0-4 to 0-3 at half time

The visitors started the second half strongly, shooting points per Power (2) and a Danielle Morrissey free to lead by 0-6 to 0-4

Niamh Kilkenny narrowed the gap, after a surging run the centre

Extended Lead

Denise Gaule & Miriam Walsh extended Kilkenny’s lead again, before Ailish O’Reilly (free) and Niamh Kilkenny tagged two back for Galway

In the 50^th minute, Denise Gaule played in Anna Farrell for a point from the 45 metre line. The Noresiders were leading 0-9 to 0-7 when they punished errors from the homeside

First Shelly Farrell set up last year’s skipper & sub, Michelle Quilty for a goal. Ailish O’Reilly scored a free in the 57^th minute, before Kilkenny capitalised on another Galway error

This came about when Anne Dalton fired in a free from her own 45’.  A Galway defender when clearing, tried to lob the ball to a colleague but mishit it. Shelly Farrell pounced and blasted a sizzling shot to the net

Statistical Value

Rebecca Hennelly converted a penalty for Galway in the third minute of injury time, but it was a goal of statistical interest only

Great performances were turned in by all the Kilkenny players, especially Davina Tobin, Claire Phelan, Anne Dalton in defence; both Farrells in midfield, Katie Power & Shelly Farrell in attack, while Ailish O’Reilly & Niamh Kilkenny stood out for Galway

Next up for Kilkenny is a home game against Dublin on the 22^nd July

Scores – Kilkenny – Michelle Quilty 1-0, Shelly Farrell 1-0, Katie Power 0-3, Denise Gaule 0-2 (1 free), Danielle Morrissey 0-2 (2 frees), Anne Dalton, Miriam Walsh, Anna Farrell 0-1 each

Galway – Ailish O’Reilly 0-4 (4 frees), Niamh Kilkenny 0-3, Rebecca Hennelly 1-0 (pen), Niamh Coen 0-1

Kilkenny – Emma Kavanagh, Catherine Foley, Davina Tobin, Grace Walsh, Claire Phelan, Anne Dalton, Aisling Dunphy, Meighan Farrell, Anna Farrell (Capt), Julieann Malone, Katie Power, Denise Gaule, Shelly Farrell, Miriam Walsh, Danielle Morrissey

Subs – Michelle Quilty for Julieann Malone, Jenny Clifford for Danielle Morrissey, Aoife Doyle for Miriam Walsh, Jenny Reddy for Anna Farrell, Anne Marie Lennon, Jacqui Frisby, Michelle Teehan, Laura Murphy, Miriam Frisby, Grace O’Donnell, Stacey Quirke, Sarah Anne Quinlan, Sarah Crowley, Sarah Kent, Roisin Phelan

Galway – Sarah Healy, Theresa Manton, Roisin Black, Tara Kenny, Lorraine Ryan, Rebecca Hennelly, Heather Cooney, Niamh Kilkenny, Anne Marie Starr, Maria Cooney, Niamh McGrath, Finola Keely, Ailish O’Reilly, Noreen Coen, Aoife Donohoe

Subs – Niamh Hanniffy for Tara Kenny, Dervela Higgins for Maria Cooney, Siobhan McGrath for Noreen Coen, Shauna Burke, Shauna Healy, Jesse Gill, Clodagh McGrath, Sarah Devane, Laura Mitchell, Emma Helebert, Ciara Murphy, Catherine Finnerty, Laura Loughnane, Molly Mannion, Carrie Dolan, Kate Screen, Siobhan Coen

Referee – Eamon Cassidy, Derry