Hockey- Kilkenny Seconds held to scoreless draw at home

It was honours even as rhe Kilkenny Ladies Seconds hosted Botanic Seconds this Saturday in their penultimate match of the season on Saturday.

From the first whistle Kilkenny were the dominant team. Laura Hennessy created an early chance when she danced around Botanic’s defence and directed a well-timed pass to Nessa Farrell. She fired a shot across the circle with Orla Shields narrowly missing a touch into goal. Kilkenny didn’t lose their heads though and kept up a steady assault for the rest of the quarter.

Heading into the second quarter the game was still scoreless, but Kilkenny were determined to get an outcome. A break came from a lovely bit of play in the centre of the pitch from Hannah Bailey, Millie Gilsenan and Catriona Twomey saw the ball land at the end of Aoife Cotter’s stick where she won the team a short corner.

Niamh Boland stepped up to inject and sent the ball to the top of the circle where it was slipped to Louise Kenny on the left, for a beautiful strike on goal but Botanic held firm - the stalemate survived until half-time.

The third quarter started with Botanic striking back and breaking down the left flank but defenders Andrea Parr, Ava Murphy and Jill O’Keeffe cleaned up the play. From there Kilkenny led a continuous attack throughout the quarter with most of the play happening in Botanic’s half of the pitch, but Botanic’s ’keeper was rock solid.

The final quarter was tense with the scoreboard still blank. Kilkenny kept applying pressure, with forwards Emma Shepard and Mia Duggan creating several chances with gorgeous runs into the circle. In the final minutes of the game Kilkenny won several short corners back to back but ultimately couldn’t convert them. Kilkenny remain at the top of the league table, five points clear of Gorey Firsts, who they play in their final tie.

Kilkenny Seconds: Hannah Bailey, Niamh Boland, Hazel Cleere, Aoife Cotter, Rachel Crotty (C), Mia Duggan, Nessa Farrell, Millie Gilsenan, Laura Hennessy, Louise Kenny, Ava Murphy, Jill O’Keeffe, Andrea Parr, Emma Shepard, Orla Shields, Caitriona Twomey.

Coach: Sue Shirley.