Kilkenny Seconds find their groove and roar past Rathgar in Leinster league

After two difficult games for Kilkenny Seconds over the past two weekends, the Cats found their groove once more with a comprehensive win over Dublin side Rathgar.

Although Kilkenny dominated the majority of the first quarter, they couldn’t seem to convert their chances. As the quarter came to a close, a quick break from Rathgar saw them finish the ball to the back of the net and the Cats found themselves a goal down.

Despite the rocky start, Kilkenny went out for the second quarter full of enthusiasm and drive. Fantastic team play between Nessa Farrell, Lilly Cooke and Cliodhna O’Connor led to a pass back to Farrell who scored an exceptional goal to level the game.

In the second half the determined Rathgar side gave their all to try and convert but the Kilkenny defenders held firm. Rachel Crotty, Aoife Cotter, Andrea Parr and Jill O’Keeffe stood strong and gelled very well as a unit, right until the very end of the match. Laura Lanigan led the backs from the goal and showed great leadership in this position.

Captain Nessa Farrell found herself at the centre of much of the play in the second halt, distributing key passes to the oncoming forwards. One such pass picked out Orla Shields at the back post and Shields made no mistake in tucking the ball passed the Rathgar ’keeper to give Kilkenny the lead.

The final quarter saw Kilkenny take control of the game. Shields found herself in a one on one position with the goalkeeper and slotted the ball calmly through her legs for her second goal of the day. This was followed in quick succession by another from Lilly Cooke to bring Kilkenny’s tally to four goals.

The Cats currently sit comfortably at the top of the Division Seven table as the season draws to a close.

Kilkenny Seconds: Laura Lanigan, Rachel Crotty, Andrea Parr, Jill O’Keeffe, Aoife Cotter, Emma Shepard, Nessa Farrell, Faye Reynolds, Cliodhna O’Connor, Louise Kenny, Lilly Cooke, Orla Shields. Coach: Paul O’Donnell.