Kilkenny Hockey Seconds stay top of table

The Kilkenny Ladies Seconds team remain at the top of the Division Seven League table after a 3-0 win away to North Kildare on Saturday.

Kilkenny dominated the majority of the first quarter, with centre midfielder Laura Hennessy leading the attack. Fantastic distribution by Hennessy saw Kilkenny awarded a short corner in the opening minutes of the game. A very well executed set piece saw the ball transfer from Catriona Twomey to Louise Kenny, who sent a rocket of a shot in to the mouth of the goal, where Nessa Farrell got the final touch, sending it through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Kilkenny continued their attack throughout the second quarter. Fantastic team play between Emma Shepard and Orla Shields saw the ball transferred to Louise Kenny who drilled a shot to the left post where Farrell pounced for her second goal of the game.

Kilkenny began to tire in the third quarter, but despite Kildare’s best efforts they struggled to get the ball past netminder Anna Waldron. Clever distribution of the ball by Rachel Crotty fed Caoimhe O’Connor who went on a tremendous run down the left side of the field. Her quick thinking saw the ball roll back to Emma Shepard who, in the perfect position, made no mistake, pushing the ball into the back of the Kildare net.

In the fourth and final quarter Kilkenny continued to force the attack, led once again by Hennessy in midfield. Despite some great efforts by Louise Kenny and Faye Reynolds the Kildare defence remained disciplined, denying Kilkenny another opportunity.

Kilkenny Seconds - Anna Waldron, Jill O’Keeffe, Rachel Crotty, Millie Gilsenan, Maggie Byrne, Nessa Farrell, Laura Hennessy, Emma Shepard, Faye Reynolds, Catriona Twomey, Orla Shields, Louise Kenny, Caoimhe O’Connor.

Coach - Paul O’Donnell.