Kilkenny First’s made the journey to Ashbourne on Sunday last hoping to repeat the huge wins gained against the same opponents in the pre-Christmas round of the Leinster League.
This was a keenly-contested affair with Ashbourne opening the scoring in the first minute through a penalty kick inside the Kilkenny 22. The Cats fought back and forced Ashbourne back into their half. Ashbourne were caught offside and Kilkenny outhalf, Denis Hogan levelled the score with a fine penalty kick from just outside the Ashbourne 22m.
Neither side would give an inch but with the Kilkenny pack supplying perfect, fast ball to their backs, they harassed and threatened the Ashbourne line repeatedly. On 28 minutes Kilkenny were rewarded for their efforts when Colm Brady spotted a gap in the Ashbourne defence and charged over the line to score a superb try. Hogan added the conversion and it looked as if a repeat of the first round tie could be on the cards. Ashbourne missed a certain scoring opportunity through the boot of their very vocal scrum-half just on half-time and the visitors went into the break 10 – 3 in front.
Kilkenny applied pressure from the start of the second half but seven minutes in Ashbourne broke through the Kilkenny defence and touched down. Kilkenny did not relent and despite their efforts Ashbourne managed to keep them out. Kilkenny’s woes deepened when Ray Pembroke and James Coady were controversially binned in separate incidents. Before the final whistle blew, Ashbourne added six more points to their tally. A dejected Kilkenny team left the pitch pondering on what should have been.
Coach, Pat McDonald was very encouraging in his post-match team talk. This was a fine display from Kilkenny who now need to muster up every ounce of skill, passion and energy to win their remaining games.
Best for Kilkenny was Colm Brady who although playing out of his normal position performed excellently. Flanker Alan McIntyre and scrum-half Darren McGrath also put in solid performances. Kilkenny’s next opponents are Mullingar on Sunday. Kick off in Mullingar is 3pm.
