Kilkenny advance to another Leinster decider

The Kilkenny senior team are through to next Saturday’s Leinster final after seeing off Wexford’s challenge in Freshford last Saturday.

While Wexford started the brighter with Ciara O’Connor slotting over two pointed frees, once Kilkenny got into their stride they took control of the game. They were level by the seventh minute after Aoife Prendergast tacked over two pointed frees.

Sarah Barcoe then rifled the sliotar to the back of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Aoife Prendergast added another two pointed frees, before Kate Kirwin stopped the rot with a point from play for Wexford.

Miriam Walsh tapped on a point for the Stripey Women before Ciara O’Connor added two pointed frees for the Model County.

Miriam Walsh and Aoife Prendergast (free) slotted over points for Kilkenny heading towards half-time to leave the score 1-7 to 0-5 in favour of the home side at the break.

On the resumption of play, Kilkenny moved even further in front when they hit three unanswered points through Aoife Prendergast (two frees) and Miriam Walsh.

Then Ciara O’Connor and Aoife Prendergast traded pointed frees before Wexford hit two points in a row through Emma Dempsey and Ciara O’Connor (free).

Kilkenny substitute Julianne Malone slotted over a point to leave the score Kilkenny 1-12 Wexford 0-8 after 47 minutes.

Wexford tried to close the gap and surged back when, in the 50th minute, Joanne Dillon found the back of the Kilkenny net.

With Anais Curran adding a point, the deficit was back to three points.

Over the closing eight minutes, both teams slotted over two points apiece – Aoife Prendergast (two frees) for Kilkenny and Anais Curran and Ciara O’Connor (free) for Wexford.

Heading towards the full time whistle, Wexford were awarded a 45m free near the sideline. Centre back Sarah O’Connor stepped up and dropped it short, hoping a team mate would connect with it, but Kilkenny’s half-forward Aoife Doyle was back defending and raced out to clear the danger.

Kilkenny play Dublin in the Leinster senior final on Saturday in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore. Throw-in is at 4pm.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny – Aoife Prendergast (0-10, 0-9 frees), Sarah Barcoe (1-0), Miriam Walsh (0-3), Julianne Malone (0-1).

Wexford – Ciara O’Connor (0-7, 0-7 frees); Joanne Dillon (1-0); Anais Curran (0-2); Kate Kirwin, Emma Dempsey (0-1 each).

Kilkenny – Aoife Norris; Michelle Teehan, Grace Walsh, Ciara Phelan; Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Niamh Deely, Miriam Bambrick; Laura Murphy, Laura Greene; Aoife Doyle, Katie Power, Sarah Barcoe; Caoimhe Keher-Murtagh, Miriam Walsh, Aoife Prendergast.

Subs: Julianne Malone for Sarah Barcoe, Katie Byrne for Miriam Bambrick, Katie Nolan for Katie Power, Laura Norris for Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Asha McHardy for Miriam Walsh.

Wexford – Laura Brennan; Karen Tomkins, Ciara Storey, Miriam O’Dowd; Laura Dempsey, Sarah O’Connor, Roisin Cooney; Shelly Kehoe, Ciara O’Connor (capt); Anais Curran, Chloe Foxe, Kate Kirwan; Emma Tomkins, Joanne Dillon, Aillis Neville.

Subs: Emma Dempsey for Kate Kirwan, Linda Bolger for Aillis Neville.

Referee – Barry Nea (Westmeath)