Ruthless Kilkenny stroll past Deise in Under-23 Camogie Championship

The Kilkenny under-23s showed no mercy as they opened their All-Ireland championship in ruthless fashion.

The Cats hit the ground running, setting the tone with early strikes as they eased past Waterford in Ardmore on Saturday.

Kilkenny opened the scoring in style, Amy Brennan grabbing a goal inside the first minute. Centre-forward Lucy Boyd slotted over a nice point before Kelsie Obanya got the hosts off the mark on seven minutes.

There would be no revival, as Kilkenny hit 1-4 without reply — Lauren Ronan and Ellen Gunner nabbed two points apiece, with Leah Brett raising the green flag.

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Katelyn Lyons replied with two pointed frees for the Deise, but they were left facing an uphill task when, on 27 minutes, Brett grabbed her second goal of the game.

Katelyn Lyons closed out the first half scoring with a pointed free, but Waterford were staring down a 3-5 to 0-4 deficit.

Kilkenny kept control of the game in the second half, keeping the opposition scoreless. Leah Brett opened Kilkenny’s second half account with a fine point from play. Amy Brennan tacked on two points before Ellen Gunner added another two pointed frees.

Claire Doheny slotted over a lovely point while on the run. Gunner then tacked on two more pointed frees.

Doheny then scored her second point before substitute Molly Conroy scored a lovely point after breaking away from two defenders.

Ellen Gunner converted her seventh point late on, leaving Kilkenny as convincing winners.

The Cats are at home to Galway in the second round of the championship this Sunday in MW Hire Training Centre at 2pm.

Teams and scorers

Kilkenny – Leah Brett (2-1); Ellen Gunner (0-7, 0-6 frees); Amy Brennan (1-1); Claire Doheny, Lauren Ronan (0-2 each); Lucy Boyd, Molly Conroy (0-1 each).

Waterford – Katelyn Lyons (0-3, frees), Kelsie Obanya (0-1).

Kilkenny - Cara Duggan, Rachel Brennan (captain), Rachel Whelan, Sofia Kerr, Niamh Phelan, Aine Rohan, Anna Doheny, Keara Ryan, Caoimhe Power, Lauren Ronan, Lucy Boyd, Ellen Gunner, Leah Brett, Amy Brennan, Claire Doheny.

Subs: Molly Conroy for Leah Brett, Katie Brennan for Amy Brennan, Rose Kelly for Lauren Ronan, Eabha Carroll for Lucy Boyd, Naoise Nolan for Sofia Kerr.

Waterford - Hayleigh Acheson, Faye Murphy, Anna McGoldrick, Jane Landers, Ceire Ryan, Abbie Burrows, Ciara Sherlock, Rebecca Farrell, Kelsie Obanya, Rebecca Mason, Ali Ferguson, Holly O’Sullivan, Onelia Whelan (Captain), Niamh Hally, Katelyn Lyons.

Subs: Kaci Brazil for Ceire Ryan, Emily Foran for Jane Landers, Molly Kenneally for Niamh Hally, Emma Walsh for Onelia Whelan, Eimear Griffin for Rebecca Mason.

Referee - Justin Heffernan (Wexford).