Kilkenny’s women opened their season with a closely fought game against Mullingar in the first game of this blitz fixture at Barnhall RFC in Leixlip.
It was a very tough and hard fought game with 11 of the 16 whotravelled to Barnhall for Leinster Women’s Open day competition playing their first ever game of rugby!
Kilkenny won the game with a try from tight head prop Kelly McGuinness who tapped the ball from a quick penalty and drove hard for the line. Kilkenny held on defending heroically from Natascha Ivors, Susan Battle and Aoife Lyons making crunching tackles around the field. They won this game 5-0.
Next Kilkenny were up against old enemies Enniscorthy. Kilkenny were very scrappy in this game with several missed tackles and failed to take their opportunities when they came about. Kilkenny's indiscipline at the break down lead to Enniscorthy scoring from a lineout. They lost 5-0.
Kilkenny went on to play their final match of the pool against a very fancied and upcoming Edenderry side. Straight from the off Kilkenny set out their stall with great lines of running from Helen Donnegan, Jenny Daly and Jessie O' Mahony. Kilkenny's first try came from their youngest star Emily Murtagh who stepped and weaved past three players to score under the posts, the conversion from Heather Purcell was successful.
Kilkenny’s second try came from sustained pressure from the pack. Captain Sheila Kelly broke off the back of the scrum passing to her outhalf Jenny Daly who showed great power and determination to score. Kilkenny's performance in their final game was a joy to watch as they kept the ball alive and looked to attack at every opportunity.The Kilkenny team had a great win 12-0. Further details available from www.kilkennyrugby.com
J1: Longford 16-12 Kilkenny
On a wet and windy Saturday afternoon at The Mall sports complex in Longford town, Kilkenny’s firsts met their Longford RFC counterparts in the first round of the Leinster League, Division 2. Longford were ultimate winners following a tough and bruising encounter.
This was the third game for Kilkenny this season and it was important to begin the Leinster League with conviction and intent. Unfortunately Kilkenny left The Mall with just a single bonus point. Kilkenny need to finish in the top four of Division 2 or face, what amounts to, relegation in next season’s restructuring of the league. The next fixture is home to Wexford this Sunday, in the Leinster League. Kick-off is at 3pm.
J2: Longford 12-32 Kilkenny
Kilkenny seconds started their Leinster League campaign in atrocious weather conditions with a resounding win away to Longford on Saturday. Kilkenny scored four tries in all through veterans Joe Walsh and Dave Matthews, thus securing the vital bonus point.
Best for Kilkenny on the day were fullback Joe Walsh, hooker Brian Hanrahan whose lineout throwing and scrummaging were impeccable and James McGregor who was very unlucky not to cross the line on at least two occasions. The return of Enda Cantwell to the game was also a joy to behold. All in all a great success for Kilkenny’s seconds.
