Big win for Kilkenny Under 23's as leaders Cork go home empty-handed

A fast start was half the battle as Kilkenny scored a fantastic seven-point win over table toppers Cork in the fourth round of the under-23 A All-Ireland championship.

Fans were treated to a goal at either end within five minutes of throw-in at Freshford. Cork opened their account with an Amy Sheppard goal on four minutes before Amy Brennan finished to the net in a perfect reply.

Keeping the pressure on the Cork defence, Kilkenny extended their lead with two Ellen Gunner points. With the sides evenly matched they traded points Emily O’ Donoghue narrowed the gap, Keara Ryan responded as Kilkenny maintained their three-point advantage.

Ellen Gunner pointed a free to stretch their lead to four points but a Ciara Golden goal on 17 minutes had Cork back to the minimum. As the pace dropped an injury held up play, giving the sides a chance of a breather. On the restart Ellen Gunner pointed from play to put Kilkenny two in front.

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Cork pressed hard and Emily O’Donoghue won a penalty but Kilkenny ’keeper Cara Duggan denied Eimear Duignan with an excellent save. Keeping the pressure on Amy McCarthy pointed, but again Ellen Gunner - who was superb for Kilkenny - pointed on the stroke of half-time. Amy Sheppard pointed a free to leave Kilkenny narrowly ahead at the break (1-7 to 2-3).

Scores came fast and furious on the restart. Amy Brennan had two Kilkenny points but in between Maebh O’Brien had one back for Cork. As the sides traded scores Amy Brennan and Keara Ryan, with a point each, edged Kilkenny three points in front.

Cork worked hard and an Amy Sheppard pointed free narrowed the gap. Ellen Gunner and Amy Brennan were prominent for Kilkenny as they battled to hold onto their lead, Cork kept the pressure on and with a lot of stoppages for injuries it was a stop-start closing quarter.

Ciara Hurley denied Kilkenny substitute Marie Clare O’Dwyer with an excellent save but Kilkenny pressed. Winning possession again, Claire Doheny finished to the left top corner of the net to put Kilkenny two goals clear as the game entered added time. Cork responded with three points without reply through Erinn Curtin, Ellen Wigginton Barrett and Eimear Duignan, but a Kilkenny goal from Lucy Boyd and a Keara Ryan point ensured it was the home side who won.

Kilkenny have a break next weekend and head to Dublin on the May Bank Holiday to finish out the round robin series.

TEAMS AND SCORERS

Kilkenny: Ellen Gunner (0-7, 0-4 frees); Amy Brennan (1-3); Claire Doheny, Lucy Boyd (1-0 each); Keara Ryan (0-3).

Cork: Amy Sheppard (1-2, 0-1 free); Ciara Golden (1-0); Eimear Duignan (0-2, 0-1 free); Emily O’Donoghue, Amy McCarthy, Maebh O’Brien, Erinn Curtin, Ellen Wigginton Barrett (0-1 each).

Kilkenny: Cara Duggan, Rachel Brennan (captain), Katie Ryan, Sofia Kerr, Niamh Phelan, Aine Rohan, Anna Doheny, Caoimhe Power, Kate McCluskey, Keara Ryan, Ellen Gunner, Claire Doheny, Katie Brennan, Leah Brett, Amy Brennan. 

Subs: Marie Claire O’Dwyer for Katie Brennan, Lucy Boyd for Leah Brett, Molly Conroy for Claire Doheny.

Cork: Ciara Hurley, Maedbh de Burca, Aoife Barrett, Amy O’Riordan, Liz O’Donovan, Laura Dunlea, Amy O’Sullivan, Amy McCarthy, Catherine Murphy, Amy Sheppard, Ciara Morrisson, Eimear Duignan, Maebh O’Brien, Emily O’Donoghue, Ciara Golden (captain).

Subs: Sarah Murphy for Liz O’Donovan, Ellen Wigginton Barrett for Amy McCarthy, Erinn Curtin for Ciara Golden, Katie Cahalane for Laura Dunlea.

Referee: Gavin Donegan, Dublin