Kilkenny 3-8
Galway 3-8
Three straight victories had qualified Kilkenny for the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Intermediate championship, and they kept their unbeaten record intact despite only drawing with Galway in what was an entertaining clash.
The sides were level at 3-3 to 2-6 at the interval as a second-goal from Grace Dunphy levelled matters at the stroke of half-time.
Julie Brien and a Claire Aylward free resulted in early points before a long delivery by Linda Cotterell was finished by Dunphy 1-1 to 0-1.
Caroline Murray pointed a free, before a Julie Brien goal following a low ball across the square by Elaine O’Sullivan and a point from Molly Dunne extended Galway’s lead. 1-3 to 1-1.
Bronagh Neary replied with an opportunistic goal as she took advantage of a mistake by Galway goalkeeper Helen Campbell, before Caroline Murray replied with a pointed free. 2-1 to 1-4.
Galway responded again and a goal from Elaine O’Sullivan restored their lead before Molly Dunne added a point. 2-5 to 2-1.
Aylward and Murray exchanged pointed frees, before a Laura Kavanagh point and a Grace Dunphy goal saw the sides level at half-time.
The second-half saw scores harder to come by and after Elaine O’Sullivan pointed Galway ahead, Kilkenny replied with a brace of points from Claire Aylward and one from Bronagh Neary as they restored the lead. 3-6 to 2-7.
Aylward ended a 10 minute scoring spell with a pointed free in the 51st minute, before Galway sub Caoimhe Staunton found space on the right-wing, and she sent a low rasping shot that deceived Emma Staunton in the Kilkenny goal. 3-7 each.
Staunton made amends moments later with a terrific save but late points from Aylward and Galway goal-scorer Caoimhe Staunton ensured a draw was the outcome.
Scorers: Kilkenny: Claire Aylward 0-6 (0-3 frees 0-1’45 ), Grace Dunphy 2-0, Bronagh Neary 1-1, Laura Kavanagh 0-1.
Galway: Julie Brien, Elaine O’Sullivan + Caomihe Staunton all 1-1 each, Caroline Murray 0-3 frees, Molly Dunne 0-2.
Teams:
Kilkenny: Emma Staunton(Paulstown ), Mariga Nolan(St Lachtains ), Elaine O’Shea(Windgap ), Sinead Brennan({Paulstown ), Lisa Phelan(Windgap ), Aine Fahey(Emeralds ), Sinead Long (Piltown ), Claire Ryan (Emeralds ), Linda Cotterall (Tullogher ), Laura Kavanagh(Emeralds ), Lucinda Gahan(Mullinavat ), Hannah Maher (St Martins ), Bronagh Neary(St Brigids ), Grace Dunphy(St Brigids ), Claire Aylward(Mullinavat ).
Subs: Leanne Fennelly(Mullinavat ), Denise Gaule(Windgap ).
Galway: Helen Campbell, Jemma Star, Alice Ponaird, Carmel Coleman, Phyllis Hayes, Paula Kenny, Claire Killeen, Caroline Murray, Marion Reynolds, Julie Brien, Molly Dunne, Vanessa Molloy, Elaine O’Sullivan, Stephanie O’Dwyer, Lorraine Lally.
Subs: Aisling Hobbins, Caoimhe Staunton, Katie O’Dwyer, Sinead Keane.
