Hockey- Big victory for Kilkenny seconds
Kilkenny 2's 4 Monkstown 5's 0
Kilkenny 2s hosted Monkstown in Kilkenny College on Saturday for the first round of the Division 7/8 Shield.
The game started with great intensity as Monkstown were dominant in the first quarter. Kilkenny soaked up the pressure with solid defending from the backline of Millie Gilsenan, Rachel Crotty, Maggie Byrne and Jill O’Keefe.
Monkstown were awarded a short corner which was kept out as a result of a great stop on the goal line by O’Keefe.
The second quarter saw Monkstown continuing to apply the pressure, but Kilkenny had a few quick breaks through midfielder Emma Shepard and speedy forward Orla Shields. Kilkenny won a series of short corners of their own, which were well executed by Nessa Farrell, Andrea Parr and Louise Kenny.
The shots were only narrowly kept out by a fine display of goalkeeping from Monkstown.
The teams were evenly matched going in to halftime with a scoreline of 0-0.
After an inspiring pep talk from coach Paul O’ Donnell, Kilkenny showed their class in the third quarter. Phenomenal play between midfielders Laura Hennessy and Faye Reynolds had Kilkenny pressuring the Monkstown circle.
Caoimhe O’Connor was calm under pressure and was the first to put a goal past the Monkstown goalie.
Kilkenny settled into the game with another two goals coming in rapid succession from Lilly Cooke and Nessa Farrell.
The last goal of the quarter came from Cooke again, ensuring Kilkenny were well ahead going into the final quarter.
Monkstown came back to life in the final quarter, their skilful passing allowing them to enter the Kilkenny circle, but they were no match for Kilkenny goalkeeper Hazel Cleere who made a number of fine saves to keep a clean sheet.
Kilkenny ran our 4-0 winners and progress to the next round of the Shield.
Kilkenny 2s: Andrea Parr, Caoimhe O’Connor, Catriona Twomey (C), Emma Shepard, Faye Reynolds, Hazel Cleere, Jill O’Keefe, Laura Hennessy, Lilly Cooke, Louise Kenny, Maggie Byrne, Millie Gilsenan, Nessa Farrell, Orla Shields, Rachel Crotty.
Coach: Paul O’Donnell.