Kilkenny Intermediates lose out in camogie league opener

The Kilkenny intermediates fell to Galway in the first round of the Very League Division 2B in Kinvara last Saturday

Rachel Dowling opened the scoring for Kilkenny in the second minute with a pointed free from a tight angle.

Unfortunately, it was Kilkenny’s only score of the first half as Galway took complete control, playing with a very strong wind.

Niamh Spellman opened Galway’s account in the 8th minute with a point from a placed ball.

Aoibheann Barry playing on her home pitch added another point for Galway from play.

Niamh Spellman had two pointed frees before Aoibheann Barry added another point

Ava Lynskey and Katie Donohue increased the Galway lead with a point apiece from play.

Niamh Spellman added three points (two frees) and Zoe Rodgers and Aoibheann Barry tacked on a point apiece to leave the half-time score 0-12 to 0-1 in favour of Galway.

On the resumption of play, Kilkenny took the game to Galway as Rachel Dowling pointed two great points from play.

Niamh Spellman replied with a pointed a free for Galway before Kilkenny then took control of the second half.

Rachel Dowling added four points (three frees), the first of those close to the sideline from play.

Substitute Ellen Gunner the added another point for Kilkenny to narrow the gap to five points (0-8 to 0-13).

Aoibheann Barry pointed a free for Galway, their first score in 11 minutes. Then there was a stoppage of play for a number of minutes after Niamh Crowley received an accidental knock on the head.

In the 62nd minute, Kilkenny substitute Rose Kelly took a shot towards goal. before the sliotar came back off the upright and another sub Afton Grace was quickest to react and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to leave the full time score 0-14 to 1-8 in favour of the Westerners.

Kilkenny play neighbours Wexford next Saturday in Dr Tierney Park, Graignamanagh at 12 noon.

Teams and Scorers

Galway – Niamh Spellman 0-7 (6f), Aoibheann Barry 0-4 (1f), Ava Lynskey, Katie Donohoe, Zoe Rodgers 0-1 each

Kilkenny – Rachel Dowling (0-7, 0-4 frees), Afton Grace (1-0), Ellen Gunner (0-1).

Kilkenny – Cliona Murphy, Niamh Leahy, Hannah Scott, Rachel Brennan, Sofia Kerr, Mairead

Kennedy, Carlise Comerford, Anna Doheny, Kate McCluskey, Ciara Foskin, Cria Langton (capt), Rachel

Dowling, Lauren Ronan, Niamh Crowley, Aine Rohan.

Subs – Ellen Gunner for Ciara Foskin, Ellen Purcell for Carlise Comerford, Aoife Cantwell for Anna Doheny, Lauren East for Niamh Leahy inj, Rose Kelly for Aine Rohan, Afton Grace for Lauren Ronan, Eimear Leahy for Niamh Crowley inj, Ali Kennedy.

Galway – Caoimhe Hickey, Ellen Burke, Sarah Lyons, Leah Burke (Vice Capt), Reitseal Kelly, Ria McPhilbin, Joanne Daly, Zoe Rodgers, Leanna Nic Dhonncha, Katie Donohue, Aoibheann Barry, Niamh Spellman, Ava Lynskey (Capt), Aoibhe Joyce, Ciara Dolan.

Subs – Grainne O’Neill for Ciara Dolan, Aoife Kelly for Niamh Spellman, Siofra Kelly for Leanna Nic Dhonncha, Aoife Keane for Aoibhe Joyce, Ciara McCleran, Caroline Lawless, Pearl Finnerty, Chloe Broderick, Kayla Madden, Aoibhe Carr.