Defeat on the road for Kilkenny women

The Kilkenny Women opened their 2025 campaign with an away fixture against Ashbourne RFC, following a well-deserved Christmas break.

Despite moments of resilience, the Kilkenny team ultimately fell to a determined Ashbourne side, with the final score reading 24-5.

The match began with Ashbourne asserting their dominance early.

Within minutes, they broke through Kilkenny’s defence and scored under the posts, quickly establishing a 7-0 lead.

Kilkenny responded by showing their strength in the opening scrum, using it throughout the game as a platform to gain territory through precise kicking.

However, Ashbourne maintained their intensity, pressuring Kilkenny into mistakes and capitalising on loose defensive gaps to notch their second try, stretching the scoreline to 12-0.

Kilkenny’s forwards worked tirelessly to counter Ashbourne’s momentum.

A strong defensive stand from an Ashbourne line-out saw Kilkenny snatch possession, only for the pressure to result in a knock-on. Ashbourne continued to exploit space in the Kilkenny backline, and despite some excellent tracking from Eve Cronin and Rachel Brickell, a quick offload from Ashbourne’s centre secured their third try, bringing the score to 17-0.

As halftime approached, Kilkenny’s discipline wavered, resulting in a yellow card that left them down to 14 players heading into the second half.

Despite this setback, the Kilkenny Women returned with renewed determination after the break.

Following an injury timeout that allowed for regrouping, Kilkenny executed a well co-ordinated effort to cross the try line and reduce the deficit to 17-5.

The game became scrappier in the latter stages, with frequent stoppages for knock-ons and turnovers. Kilkenny’s defensive resilience shone through during this period, as they successfully thwarted several Ashbourne attacking opportunities.

The scrums remained a key area of strength for Kilkenny, who consistently held their own against Ashbourne’s pack.

However, Ashbourne’s clinical finishing proved decisive.

A late surge saw their winger sprint almost the entire length of the pitch to score, sealing the game at 24-5.

Kilkenny - Maureen Ní Chonchobhair, Genevieve O’Mahony, Alice Brennan, Isla Mosse, Caroline Quirke, Karen Delaney, Tina Wright, Lieke Hoban, Anita St Ledger, Megan Callanan, Eve Cronin, Emily Kenny, Leah McCarthy, Ella Carroll, Rachel Brickell.

Replacements: Lorna McMahon, Caoimhe McGuinness, Clara Foxe, Ella Kavanagh.

Ashbourne - Alanah Loftus Delaney, Keela Walsh Fagherazzi, Emily Doyle, Ellie Mahon, Rebecca Blake, Molly Coulter, Molly O’Toole, Abbie Gibney, Samantha McCoy, Laura Scuffil, Lauren Redmond, Katie Kelly, Siafra Ni Bhriain, Niamh Hughes, Abbie Timmons.