Kilkenny Intermediates fall at semi-final hurdle to Wexford

There will be no Leinster double for Kilkenny camogie after the intermediate team were beaten by Wexford in their semi-final.

The Model County were quick off the mark, Muireann Fitzpatrick opening the scoring for Wexford with a point from play.

Lauren Ronan equalised when she slotted over a fine point for Kilkenny before Nora Higgins tacked on a pointed free in response.

Kilkenny stepped up the pace and moved into the lead in the seventh minute. Full forward Caroline Kennedy fielded the sliotar, turned and headed towards goal, pausing only to fire a shot to the back of the net.

Wexford wobbled, but quickly regained their composure. Nora Higgins slotted over two pointed frees before Sarah Doyle then converted a penalty to put her side 1-3 to 1-1 ahead.

Nora Higgins added another point from play for Wexford before Caroline Kennedy and Lauren Ronan hit back with points for Kilkenny.

Nora Higgins and Rachel Dowling swapped points from play before Wexford hit four unanswered points through Nora Higgins (three frees) and Clodagh Fitzhenry to leave them 1-9 to 1-4 in front at the break.

On the resumption of play, Kilkenny scored four unanswered points, narrowing the gap to a point thanks to Rachel Dowling (free, 45) and Emma Mulhall.

Try as they might, Kilkenny could not get an equaliser. In the 50th minute, Wexford got their first score of the second half and it was a decisive one.

Nora Higgins fired a free towards the Kilkenny goal from the 50 metre line where Sarah Doyle was on hand to flick it to the back of the net.

Rachel Dowling slotted over two pointed frees for Kilkenny, but Nora Higgins got the final score with a pointed free for Wexford to win by three points.

Kilkenny’s next game is on Saturday, May 25 in the first round of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland intermediate championship against neighbours Carlow in a Kilkenny venue.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny – Rachel Dowling (0-6, 0-4 frees), Caroline Kennedy (1-1), Lauren Ronan (0-2), Emma Mulhall (0-1).

Wexford – Nora Higgins (0-8, 0-6 frees); Sarah Doyle (2-0, 1-0 penalty); Muireann Fitzpatrick, Ciara Fitzhenry (0-1 each).

Kilkenny – Cliona Murphy; Niamh Leahy, Rachel Brennan, Jane Cass; Mairead Kennedy, Mairead Corcoran, Hannah Scott; Aoife Cantwell, Kate McCluskey; Lauren Ronan, Carlise Comerford, Eimear Leahy; Rachel Dowling, Caroline Kennedy, Emma Mulhall.

Subs: Shauna Treacy for Mairead Corcoran, Rose Kelly for Eimear Leahy, Laura Phelan for Aoife Cantwell, Ellen Gunner for Carlise Comerford, Cria Langton (capt) for Emma Mulhall.

Wexford – Lizzie Dempsey; Clodagh Jackman, Marie Claire Morrissey, Kellyann Dempsey; Lorna Furlong, Amy Cahill, Grace Roche; Clodagh Fitzhenry, Muireann Fitzpatrick (vice-capt); Lisa Firman, Nora Higgins (capt), Caoimhe Byrne; Emma Codd, Sarah Doyle, Orla Redmond.

Subs: Ciara Butler for Orla Redmond, Aoife McCrea for Lisa Firman, Leah Furlong for Grace Roche, Sadhbh Buttle for Emma Codd.

Referee – Max Molloy (Wicklow)