Kilkenny Minor camogs weather Galway storm to get result in All-Ireland campaign

The Kilkenny minors made light of tough weather conditions as they edged out Galway in the fourth round of the All-Ireland Roinn A championship in Dunmore on Sunday.

Weather conditions were mixed, with some very heavy showers throughout. Despite this the hosts made a bright start, Hollie Ryan opening the scoring with a point from play in the seventh minute, followed closely by a point from Amy O’Shea. Galway’s first score came from a placed ball when Mary Brigid Cosgrave pointed on 12 minutes, a score which was closely followed by a Leah Force point.

A challenge to Kilkenny’s Shauna Mahony saw Amy O’Shea add to her tally with a pointed free. Galway replied with a point from Lauren Morgan, but Amy O’Shea stretched Kilkenny’s lead with a 24th minute goal.

Both sides added points through Mary Brigid Cosgrave (Galway) and Ona Kennedy (free) and Emily Phelan (Kilkenny) to leave the Cats ahead by double scores at the break (1-5 to 0-4).

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Kilkenny added to their lead when Shauna Mahony shot the first point of the second half. Galway tried to hit back, Sinead Feeney dropping a placed ball into the danger zone. Her effort was blocked and batted out by Ella Walton, but Amy Kenny was ready for the rebound and flicked it to the back of the net. Pointed frees from Ona Kennedy (K) and Mary Brigid Cosgrove (G) followed as the visitors tried to claw their way back.

Kilkenny’s last score came from an Ona Kennedy free in the 50th minute. While Galway added two more points through Emma Barrett and Mary Brigid Cosgrove (free) it wasn’t enough to deny the hosts the win.

Teams and scorers

Kilkenny – Amy O’Shea (1-2, 0-1 free); Ona Kennedy (0-3, frees); Hollie Ryan, Emily Phelan, Shauna Mahony (0-1 each).

Galway – Mary Brigid Cosgrove (0-4, 0-3 frees); Amy Kenny (1-0); Leah Forde, Lauren Morgan, Emma Barrett (0-1 each).

Kilkenny – Ella Walton; Hannah Tennyson, Erin Morrissey, Mairead Duggan; Ciara Hickey, Ona Kennedy, Chloe Teehan; Shannon Doheny, Eleanor Doheny; Ali Greany, Shauna Mahony, Hollie Ryan; Emily Phelan, Leah O’Donovan, Amy O’Shea.

Subs: Aoife O’Grady for Shannon Doheny, Aoibhinn Ryan for Leah O’Donovan, Sadhbh Shefflin for Ali Greany, Ellen Treacy for Amy O’Shea.

Galway – Leah Horan; Eabha Burke, Muireann Conroy, Emily Rabbitte; Aisleen Healy, Meabh Nic Con Iomaire, Sinead Feeney; Amy Kenny, Aoife Scarry; Katelyn Walsh, Caoilinn Corban, Lauren Morgan; Leah Forde, Ava Morley, Mary Brigid Cosgrove.

Subs: Heidi Hesnan for Meabh Nic Con Iomaire, Eve Kenny for Caoilinn Corban, Emma Barrett for Ava Morley, Clodagh Burke for Leah Forde, Alisha King for Emily Rabbitte.

Referee - Ray Kelly (Kildare).