Hockey- Kilkenny Firsts get past Naas with Thirds still in league race
It was a double weekend of success for the Noresiders
Women’s Leinster League Division One- Kilkenny 2 Naas 0
The Kilkenny Ladies Firsts were back in action on Saturday in a home fixture that saw them take on Naas, a clash which has always proved to be a tight affair.
Kilkenny’s purple patch came in the second quarter, which saw them set up many threatening attacks on goal. The home side took the lead when right back Lucy Simms. Simms carried the ball towards goal and slipped a neat pass to Gemma O’Dwyer who calmly slotted home the opener.
Kilkenny’s dominance continued throughout the second half with midfielders Ally Williams, Ciara Mahon and Sarah Richardson growing into the game. Spurred on by the home crowd, the Cats went in search of a second goal which came from another strong right wing attack. In a similar fashion to the opening goal, Simms fed the ball to Sarah Browne who picked out squad newcomer Poppy Williams, who skilfully lifted the ball over the Naas ’keeper to net Kilkenny’s second goal of the game.
Naas battled until the bitter end and the final quarter saw them test the Kilkenny back line on a number of occasions. The travelling team were awarded a penalty stroke in the dying minutes, but a heroic save from Kilkenny goalkeeper Jess Cary denied them a way back into the game.
The Cats can look forward to a busy weekend of hockey next weekend as they take on both Muckross and Trinity Hockey Club in the Leinster League.
Kilkenny Firsts - Paula Farrell (C), Jess Cary, Niamh Spratt O’Shea, Sam Willis, Clair Phelan, Lucy Simms, Ally Williams, Ally Carter, Sara Browne, Ciara Mahon, Sue Shirley, Gemma O’Dwyer, Cliodhna O’Connor, Roisin Burns, Poppy Williams, Sarah Richardson.
Coach/Manager - Danny Mulligan / Jenny Wallace.
Women’s Leinster League Division Nine- Kilkenny Thirds 2 Bray Fourths 0
The Kilkenny Ladies Thirds kept up their chase for league honours with a solid win over Bray Fourths at Kilkenny College on Saturday.
Kilkenny got off to a great start and took the lead when Eimear Brennan drove down the right side of the Bray defence and found Aoife Murphy, who cleverly slotted the ball into the goal to give Kilkenny an early lead.
The hosts continued to control the game and doubled their lead before the end of the quarter, Emily Ryan slamming the ball past the Bray goalkeeper.
After the break Bray settled into the game, but the defence of Milly Harwood, Lisa Delaney, Katie Cullen and Maeve Doheny stood firm to ensure the Kilkenny goal went untroubled. Kilkenny were creating more chances with Emily Ryan and Aoife Murphy pushing the home side on.
The first half ended with Bray going on the attack. They won several short corners in a row but they were unable to get a shot at the goal to trouble the Kilkenny goalkeeper Laura Lanigan.
The Kilkenny side had most of the possession for the entire second half and were comfortably closing out the game to ensure the three points. Forwards Nicola Costello, Sarah Cooke, Eva Phelan, Aine Ryan and Kathy Walsh were excellent at executing the game plan of a strong high press, keeping Bray side under pressure in their own half.
The win keeps Kilkenny second in the table and in strong contention for the league. Kilkenny will look to build on this when they travel to Rathfarnham in Dublin to play Loreto Beaufort on Saturday.
Kilkenny Thirds - Laura Lanigan, Milly Harwood, Katie Cullen, Lisa Delaney, Maeve Doheny, Sarah Cooke, Emily Ryan, Joanna Morrissey, Eimear Brennan, Aoife Murphy, Aisling McDonagh, Kathy Walsh, Nicola Costello, Ava Phelan, Aine Ryan.
Coach - Paddy Dalton.