Kilkenny intermediate ladies bowed out of the TG4 Leinster championship when they were defeated by neighbours Wexford in last Sunday’s semi final at Taghmon.
Wexford went into this game as favourites but got the battle they expected from a determined Kilkenny side. The Kittens suffered a blow two weeks ago when dominant full back Sara McCarthy suffered a knee injury in the national league quarter final, ruling her out of championship action. The team were dealt a second setback before throw in on Sunday when they were forced to field without their influential captain and playmaker Catriona Corr. Paul Whelan made the necessary changes bringing Niamh Spratt in at corner forward and moving Lydia Phelan to wing back, while Sally Teehan took up duty at full back.
Wexford captain Mary O’Neill elected to play with the breeze and the hosts scored their first point after thirty seconds through Sharon Kehoe. The same player added a second point a minute later and Deirdre Fox added a third almost immediately. Kilkenny began to settle to the pace of the game and the cats grabbed the next two points through April Purcell and Marie Dargan. Wexford centre forward Laura Corrigan grabbed two points in quick succession but Dargan replied for Kilkenny in the fourteenth minute when she converted a thirteen metre free to leave the score 0-5 to 0-2. The play went from end to end with both sets of forwards working hard but the kittens would regret some missed opportunities. At the other end Wexford’s forwards were finding their path to goal blocked by the hard working trio of Andrea Murphy, Sally Teehan and Niamh Whelan, but showed their ability to score from distance adding four superb points, one from Adamstown’s Diane Kelly and three from the free running Sharon Kehoe. This left Wexford ahead at the break 0-9 to 0-3.
Kilkenny started the second half in determined fashion with Helen Murphy, Miriam O’Keeffe and Marie Dargan causing headaches for the opposition. However they found the Wexford defence in a defiant mood with Mary Rose Kelly making several good saves and the full back line making plenty of last gasp blocks. It was ten minutes into the half before we saw the first score, a Kilkenny point from Jenny Reddy but Natasha Martin replied for the hosts a minute later to maintain Wexford’s lead at 0-10 to 0-4.
Wexford stamped their control on the game in the fiftieth minute when Laura Corrigan picked her spot and scored a fine goal from twenty metres after latching on to a Fiona Rochford pass. Rochford added a point two minutes later to put the hosts 1-11 to 0-4 ahead. Niamh Spratt gave Kilkenny some hope when she bundled the ball across the line to make it 1-11 to 1-4 with five minutes remaining and the kittens continued to press in search of a much needed second goal. The Wexford defence were outstanding with All Star Leona Tector in commanding form. Kilkenny substitute Marie Ryan pointed on the hour mark but Claire Finn had time to reply for Wexford on the stroke of full time. On the day Wexford were deserving winners but Kilkenny know they did not do themselves justice on a 1-12 to 1-5 scoreline.
Wexford face Longford in next Sunday’s provincial final while the kittens take a short break before turning their attentions to the All-Ireland series which kicks off on June 21 with the visit of former senior All-Ireland champions Waterford for the first ever competitive meeting between the sides.
Leinster u14 semi final
Kilkenny’s under14 girls also bowed out of the provincial championship at semi final stage at the weekend when a trip to Killoe in Longford ended in defeat despite a great performance from PJ Whelan’s young side. With just four points between the sides at half time Longford showed their determination to reach the final for the second year in a row grabbing three goals in quick succession which had the cats on the backfoot for the remainder of the game. The girls made great strides throughout the Leinster championship and will continue to train with recently set up development squads before re-grouping for the Leinster under 14 blitz in August.
Under 14 city development
Kilkenny ladies hope to build on the ever increasing interest in girls’ football with development training which starts at James Park this Saturday at 6pm for girls aged 10 – 14 years. This venture is a continuation of the Saturday morning sessions which have been taking place in recent weeks. Girls from the city and neighbouring areas are welcome to join and will be coached by members of the county intermediate side. Beginners are particularly welcome and a number of girls have already been involved in the primary schools league and the county under 14 panel.
A similar squad has been up and running in Skeoughvosteen for the past six weeks with over twenty girls learning the skills of the game and further development is planned for the north and south of the county in the coming weeks. The squads will have the chance to display their newly acquired skills with some under 12 and under 14 blitzes planned for the summer. Thomastown and Freshford clubs are already in training and girls are encouraged to contact their nearest club for information. Further information is available from juvenile development officer Caitriona Corr on (086 ) 1724044 or ladies football PRO Noelle Curran on (087 ) 6405403 or e-mail kilkennyladiesfootball@yahoo.co.uk.
Leinster minor B semi final
The county u18 side have their first outing of the year on Bank Holiday Monday next, May 4 when they host Offaly in the Leinster minor B semi final, (Time and venue to be confirmed ). Kilkenny won the shield competition last year and will hope to claim some silverware for the second year in a row.
All eligible players are asked to attend training on Saturday and will be notified of venues.
