Impressive Galway get the better of Kilkenny in Under 23 Championship

Galway goals scored at the right time meant Kilkenny tasted defeat against the reigning under-23 A All-Ireland champions.

The Cats made a bright start to Sunday’s championship clash in Dunmore, opening the scoring with a point from Claire Doheny after just 37 seconds. Amy Brennan added to Kilkenny’s tally with a nice point from play, to which Emily Lawless slotted over Galway’s first point in the fourth minute.

Claire Doheny and Alannah Fahy traded points, before Katie Gilchrist converted two pointed frees for the visitors to put them a point ahead (0-4 to 0-3).

Ellen Gunner replied with a pointed free to equalise the match, but the sides weren’t level for long. After 12 minutes Galway struck for their opening goal, Alannah Fahy stealing in behind the home defence to rattle the net.

Read Next- Extra-time glory for Tullogher Rosbercon in senior football league final

Leah Brett and Ellen Gunner replied with a point each for the stripey girls, but Kerri O’Driscoll tacked on a point to push Galway two points clear.

Kilkenny raised their game, hitting the next three points through Ellen Gunner (0-2 45s), but the visitors hit back with three points of their own via Ava Bloomer and Katie Gilchrist (0-2). Ellen Gunner closed out the first half scoring with a pointed free, but Fahy’s goal meant Galway held a narrow advantage at the interval (1-8 to 0-10).

Kilkenny started brightly in the second half, taking the lead courtesy of points from Lauren Ronan and Amy Brennan. However, the visitors were quick to hit back - four points without reply from Aoibhe Joyce, Katie Gilchrist, Emma Madden and Orla Mullins saw the Tribeswomen edge ahead again. Lauren Ronan and Katie Gilchrist swapped points before, with 49 minutes on the clock, Gilchrist struck for Galway’s second goal.

That proved to be a decisive score as, over the next 11 minutes, neither side could add to their tally. Both defences stood strong until Galway’s substitute Leah Murphy slotted over a point from play.

Heading towards the full-time whistle, Katie Gilchrist hit over a pointed free for the visitors, securing the win.

Kilkenny will be hoping to bounce back when they entertain Tipperary in the third round of the championship on Friday night.

Teams and Scorers

Galway - Katie Gilchrist (1-6, 0-4 frees); Alannah Fahy (1-1); Emily Lawless, Kerri O’Driscoll, Ava Bloomer, Aoibhe Joyce, Emma Madden, Orla Mullins, Leah Murphy (0-1 each).

Kilkenny - Ellen Gunner (0-6, 0-5 frees); Claire Doheny, Lauren Ronan, Amy Brennan (0-2 each); Leah Brett (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: Tara McGrath for Niamh Phelan, Molly Conroy for Ellen Gunner, Rose Kelly for Leah Brett.

Galway - Laura Freeney; Allison Greaney, Laoise McGrath, Sarah Lyons; Chloe Allen, Aoibhe Joyce, Emily Brogan; Orla Mullins, Emma Deeley; Kerri O’Driscoll, Catherine Hanley, Ava Bloomer; Emily Lawless, Alannah Fahy, Katie Gilchrist.

Subs: Emma Madden for Alannah Fahy, Kayla Earner for Catherine Hanley, Katie Lawless for Allison Greaney, Sophie Flynn for Kerri O’Driscoll, Leah Murphy for Ava Bloomer.

Referee - Justin Heffernan (Wexford).