Littlewoods Ireland National Camogie League Division 1

Kilkenny 1-9
Clare 0-7

Kilkenny got their bid for a fourth consecutive league title off to the perfect start but were pushed hard by a young Clare side in John Lockes Park, Callan on Sunday last, coming away with the spoils 1-9 to 0-7
Denise Gaule opened Kilkenny’s account in second minute when she pointed a free. A minute later, Michelle Quilty added another point for Kilkenny. Roisin Begley replied with Clare’s first point in the 4th minute, however Danielle Morrissey added two points from play for Kilkenny to leave the stripey women 0-4 to 0-1 ahead by the end of the first quarter. Amy Keating who was a late addition to the Clare starting 15, then split the posts from a 30-metre free
Anne Dalton who was playing in the forwards made a darting run towards the Clare goal & slotted over the bar after being played in by Denise GauleClare were awarded a free in the 22nd minute, Eimear Kelly played a quick one two with Mairead Scanlon, before pointing Clare’s 3rd point. Kilkenny finished the half stronger, adding a point through the eye-catching Danielle Morrissey and a goal from the Penalty spot converted by Denise Gaule after Davina Tobin was fouled in the square, this left the score at the break 1-6 (KK) to 0-3 (CE)

On the resumption, Amy Keating added two pointed frees in quick succession to narrow the gap. Anne Dalton took a neat pass from Anna Farrell to shoot a nice point on the 37th minute mark. As play moved from end to end over the next 10 minutes without either side raising a flag as both defences stood firm with Claire Phelan, Kelly Anne Doyle and Grace Walsh playing a pivotal role for the homeside while Laura McMahon and Ciara Grogan was outstanding for the visitors. Danielle Morrissey converted a 21-metre free after she was unceremoniously upended in the 49th minute. Over the remaining 10 minutes, Denise Gaule fired over a point from play as Clare added two points from placed balls from Amy Keating to see the score at the final whistle 1-9 (KK) to 0-7 (CE). Kilkenny play Dublin next Saturday 26th January in the 2nd Round of the League in John Lockes Park, Callan at 2pm

Scores – Kilkenny – Denise Gaule (1-2, 1 p, 1f), Danielle Morrissey (0-4, 1f), Anne Dalton (0-2), Michelle Quilty (0-1)
Clare – Amy Keating (0-5, 5f), Roisin Begley, Eimear Kelly (0-1 each)

Kilkenny – Emma Kavanagh, Katie Nolan, Catherine Foley, Michelle Teehan, Claire Phelan, Kelly Ann Doyle, Grace Walsh, Anna Farrell (Capt), Miriam Walsh, Davina Tobin, Denise Gaule, Edel Coonan, Danielle Morrissey, Michelle Quilty, Anne Dalton
Subs – Katie Power for Edel Coonan, Edwina Keane for Michelle Teehan, Niamh Deely for Michelle Quilty, Michaela Kenneally for Anna Farrell, Colette Dormer, Grace O’Donnell, Aoife Doyle, Meighan Farrell, Steffi Fitzgerald

Clare – Lauren Solon, Ciara Grogan, Laura McMahon (Capt), Ciara Doyle, Aoife Keane, Clare Hehir, Michelle Caulfield, Andrea O’Keeffe, Amy Barrett, Mairead Scanlon, Eimear Kelly, Sinead Conlon, Susan Fahy, Amy Keating, Roisin Begley
Subs – Fiona Laherty for Alannah Ryan, Orlaith McGrath for Mairead Scanlon, Aisling Corbett, Carol O’Leary, Niamh Powell, Aoife Griffin, Louise Egan, Aine O’Loughlin, Bridin Dinan, Aoife Power, Doireann Murphy, Aimee McInerney, Sarah Loughnane

Referee: Cathal Egan (Cork)