Kilkenny run Laois close in Leinster Intermediate Semi-Final
Laois 2-12 Kilkenny 0-17
Kilkenny gave their all but came up just short when beaten by Laois in the Leinster intermediate semi-final.
The Cats, the county’s under-23 side, pushed their rivals hard in Pairc Lachtain on Bank Holiday Monday, but fell to the O’Moore County side by the narrowest of margins.
Aimee Collier opened the scoring with a point from play for Laois, before Kilkenny equalised straight away through Amy Cody.
Susie Delaney and Rachel Dowling then swapped points before Kilkenny hit a purple patch, scoring the next six points without reply. Emma Mulhall bagged a brace, one a great point from out on the stand sideline, with Lauren Ronan, Rachel Dowling (2) and Keara Ryan adding to the run.
Clodagh Tynan and Rachel Dowling then traded points, before the Midlanders hit three unanswered points from Kaylee O’Keeffe, Aimee Collier (free) and Alanna Tynan. The home side then hit the final two points of the half, Ellen Gunner and Keara Ryan splitting the posts, to leave the Cats with a solid lead at the break (Kilkenny 0-11, Laois 0-6).
Laois were first to strike on the resumption of play, Aimee Collier pointing a free. While Rachel Dowling slotted over a 45 for Kilkenny, Liaden C Fennell and Aimee Collier kept Laois on the front foot.
Emma Mulhall led the charge for Kilkenny, scoring another great point from the dugout sideline, but Laois hit back with a goal, Alanna Tynan pouncing after Susie Delaney’s shot had been saved.
Two more points from Clodagh Tynan and Aimee Collier (both frees) edged Laois in front before a second goal pushed the gap out to five points (2-12 to 0-13).
Kilkenny didn’t panic, hit two points to narrow the deficit, but Susie Delaney found another point for Laois to put the gap back out to three. Ellen Gunner and Rachel Dowling (f) slotted over a point each for Kilkenny, leaving the bare minimum between the sides.
The Cats kept pressing for the equaliser, going close with an injury-time free, but a last-gasp effort into the wind failed to find the target. Laois held on for the narrow win.
Kilkenny now get ready for the new under-23 All-Ireland championship with a game away to Cork on May 24 (time and venue to be confirmed).
Note: Before the game the Laois team were the latest side to protest against wearing skorts, taking to the field in shorts. The players were made to change by match officials before the game could be played.
Kilkenny – Rachel Moloney (St Martin’s); Laoise Nolan (Clara), Rachel Whelan (Clara), Sofia Kerr (Conahy Shamrocks); Tara McGrath (Dicksboro), Caoimhe Carroll (Dicksboro, captain), Laura Phelan (John Lockes); Ciara O’Keeffe (Young Irelands), Keara Ryan (Clara); Emma Mulhall (Conahy Shamrocks), Rachel Dowling (Dicksboro), Ellen Gunner (Conahy Shamrocks); Lauren Ronan (St Brigid’s), Amy Cody (Glenmore), Amy Brennan (Conahy Shamrocks).
Subs: Muireann Gannon (Mooncoin) for Ciara O’Keeffe, Julie Lennon (young Irelands) for Amy Cody.
Laois – Aedin Lowry; Laura Finlay, Ellen Conroy, Fiona Scully; Shona Jones, Clodagh Tynan, Sarah Creagh; Alice Walsh, Liaden C Fennell; Sinead Slevin, Alanna Tynan, Kaylee O’Keeffe; Eimear Hassett, Aimee Collier, Susie Delaney.