Kilkenny Intermediates still pointless after narrow defeat to Cork

They say goals win matches and the Rebels got two in the 49th and 59th minutes to wrap up victory over the Kilkenny intermediates at the Cork Camogie Grounds on Saturday afternoon.

Ciara O’Sullivan opened the scoring for the Rebels with a point from play in the first minute. Sixty seconds later Rachel Dowling equalised for Kilkenny with a point from play.

Dowling then added another point for Kilkenny in the fourth minute.

The Rebels then scored the next three points through Lauren Homan (2) and Avril Cashman.

Rachel Dowling and Erinn Curtin traded points to leave the score 0-5 to 0-3 in favour of Cork after 12 minutes of play.

Rachel Dowling added two points to equalise for Kilkenny before Lauren Homan slotted over two points from frees.

Heading towards the half time whistle, Rachel Dowling tacked on two points to leave the half-time score level 0-7 apiece.

On the resumption of play, Cork hit the ground running and scored three points through Lauren Homan (2) and Hannah O’Leary.

Then Kilkenny hit 1-2 without reply, Caroline Kennedy scoring 1-1 and Rachel Dowling a pointed free.

The goal came after Rose Kelly took a shot on goal. The sliotar was blocked by a defender and Caroline Kennedy was quickest to react and pulled on the sliotar - it flew past the goalkeeper and put Kilkenny two points ahead.

Cork then scored 1-2 themselves through Cliona O’Sullivan (goal) and points from Olivia McAllen and Fiona Nelligan.

Rachel Dowling and team captain Cria Langton pointed to narrow the gap to a point, before Lauren Homan goaled for the Rebels after her shot deflected off a defender into the net.

Homan then added a pointed free and heading towards the full time whistle, Emma Mulhall and Homan traded points to leave the final score 2-14 to 1-12 in favour of the home side.

The next game for Kilkenny is away to Clare on Sunday, March 2.

Teams and Scorers

Cork – Lauren Homan (1-8, 0-6 frees); Cliona O’Callaghan (1-0); Ciara O’Sullivan, Avril Cashman, Erinn Curtin, Fiona Nelligan, Hannah O’Leary, Olivia McAllen (0-1 each).

Kilkenny – Rachel Dowling (0-9, 0-7 frees); Caroline Kennedy (1-1); Cria Langton, Emma Mulhall (0-1 each).

Kilkenny – Tara Murphy (James Stephens); Jane Cass (Dicksboro), Rachel Brennan (Tullaroan), Sofia Kerr (Conahy); Shauna Treacy (Barrow Rangers), Hannah Scott (James Stephens), Carlise Comerford (St Martin’s); Aoife Cantwell (James Stephens), Kate McCluskey (St Brigid’s); Aisling Prendergast (Graignamanagh), Caroline Kennedy (Slieverue), Rachel Dowling (Dicksboro); Afton Grace (Kilmacow), Ellen Gunner (Conahy), Rose Kelly (Dicksboro).

Subs: Emma Mulhall (Conahy) for Aisling Prendergast, Niamh Crowley (Mooncoin) for Rose Kelly, Lauren East (St Brigid’s) for Aoife Cantwell, Cria Langton (Rower Inistioge, captain) for Afton Grace, Lauren Ronan (St Brigid’s) for Kate McCluskey, Cliona Murphy (Kilmacow), Ellen Purcell (Barrow Rangers), Mairead Corcoran (Mooncoin), Eimear Leahy (Emeralds), Ali Kennedy (Windgap), Kelly Ann Whelan (Graignamanagh).

Cork – Ciara Hurley; Aoife Barrett, Niamh O’Leary, Aisling Egan (capt); Olivia McAllen, Laura Doyle, Avril Cashman; Lauren Homan, Millie Condon; Ciara O’Sullivan, Cliona O’Callaghan, Katie Walsh; Fiona Nelligan, Cliona Dooley, Erinn Curtin.

Subs: Emily O’Donoghue for Cliona Dooley, Leah Hallihan for Erinn Curtin, Hannah O’Leary for Katie Walsh, Ciara Ring for Aoife Barrett, Edel Sheehan for Ciara O’Sullivan, Emma Flanagan for Olivia McAllen, Ciara O’Leary, Caoimhe O’Donoghue, Caoimhe Buckley, Ciara Morrisson, Meadhbh Ring,

Laura Buttimer, Amy O’Sullivan.