Déise use elements to blow kittens away

Littlewoods Ireland Division 2 National League

Waterford 1-16 (0-19)
Kilkenny 0-8

By Martin Quilty

Kilkenny made the short journey to the WIT Arena to take on neighbours Waterford in round 2 of the Division 2 National League. This would be a stiff test our the Kilkenny side with Waterford having been relegated from Division 1 last year.

It was a windswept venue and Kilkenny played with the elements in the first half. With 11 minutes gone in the first half Waterford had a slight lead 0-3 to 0-2. Kilkenny were level 11minutes later with the score 0-4 each. A huge blow for Kilkenny came in the 27th minute when Vikki Falconer shot home for Waterford to leave them 1-4 to 0-4 ahead. Kilkenny rallied and by the half time interval the scores were tied 1-4 to 0-7.

Waterford had the breeze in the second half and they utilised it very well, in fact they blew Kilkenny away.  Lorraine Bray, Waterford team captain was instrumental in midfield and was like the conductor of an orchestra. Its hard to believe that Kilkenny failed to register a single point in 30 minutes of the second half they got a consolation point in injury time from Asha McHardy. The home side however had no problem in scoring, Beth Carton (4), Lorraine Bray and Vikki Falconer (3) and Niamh Ahearne and Sarah Lacey also shot over points to leave the home side to outscore their opponents 0-12 to 0-1 in the second half. Final score Waterford 1-16, Kilkenny 0-8.

Waterford will now qualify for the knockout stages of the National League, Kilkenny will travel to Westmeath in round 3 with victory also guaranteeing John Scott and his team a place in the knockouts also.

Teams & Scorers:-

Waterford: Vicki Falconer 1-3, Beth Carton 0-5 (3f), Lorraine Gray 0-5, Sarah Lacey 0-2, Niamh Ahearne 0-1

Kilkenny: Asha McHardy 0-5 (3f), Aine Phelan 0-2, CarliseComerford 0-1

Waterford: Brianna O’Regan, Keeley Corbett Barry, Iona Heffernan, Mairead Power; Aoife Landers, Orla Hickey, Rachael Walsh; Lorraine Bray, Clara Griffin; Tara Power, Beth Carton, Sarah Lacey; Niamh Ahearne, Vikki Falconer, Roisin Kirwan.

Kilkenny: Sinead Farrell, Sinead o Keeffe, Roisin Phelan, Aideen o Connor, Mairead Corcoran, Ciara Murphy, Niamh Sweeney, Claire Nolan, Laura Hegarty, Tara Ronan, Hannah Scott, Carlise Comerford, Leann Fennelly, Aine Phelan, Asha Mchardy 

Referee: John Dermody (Westmeath)