Kilkenny Seconds edged out while Thirds go top in Leinster Hockey League

Leinster Hockey League Division Six- Kilkenny Seconds 1 Old Alex Fourths 2

The Kilkenny Ladies Seconds had an intense battle with Old Alex Fourths when the sides met in the Leinster League on Saturday.

The game got off to a strong start with both teams working tirelessly up and down the pitch. Neither was successful in getting the ball in the back of the net, however, leaving the score 0-0 going into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, Kilkenny got off to a strong start, putting the Old Alex defence under pressure. Kilkenny’s midfield and forward lines of Hannah Bailey, Lilly Cooke, Louise Kenny, Catriona Twomey, Emma Shepard, Iseult Cahill, Gemma O’Dwyer and Roisin Burns gave it everything they had and began to get into the rhythm of the match and dominated the pitch.

In the second half, Old Alex fought tirelessly and continued to put Kilkenny under tremendous pressure, but could not get through Kilkenny’s strong defence of Hazel Cleere, Maggie Byrne, Andrea Parr, Sam Willis and captain Rachel Crotty.

Kilkenny were clinical in their passing and this paid off when Twomey struck a perfect pass into O’Dwyer who shot the ball directly into the back of the net, leaving the score 0-1 to Kilkenny heading into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, tensions were high with Old Alex quick on the counter-attack. The side got a lucky escape through to the Kilkenny circle and were successful in converting to a goal.

With a drawn scoreboard, both teams were hungry to win the game. The ball was sent up and down the pitch and when Old Alex had another opportunity on goal they took it, leaving the score at 2-1 with a matter of minutes to go.

Kilkenny fought back and were awarded a penalty corner, but the home side were quick to clear the ball from their circle. As the clock ticked down to the final whistle, Kilkenny just could not get that goal to level the game.

Kilkenny Seconds - Rachel Crotty (C), Hazel Cleere, Andrea Parr, Lilly Cooke, Louise Kenny, Catriona Twomey, Emma Shepard, Hannah Bailey, Jill O’Keeffe, Maggie Byrne, Iseult Cahill, Niamh Boland, Gemma O’Dwyer, Sam Willis, Roisin Burns.

Coach - Sue Shirley.

Ladies Leinster Hockey League Division Nine- Kilkenny Thirds 2 Monkstown Sixths 0

The Ladies Thirds team welcomed Monkstown to Kilkenny College on Saturday afternoon for their Leinster league match.

The Kilkenny side were positive from the get-go and were able to take an early lead from one of there early attacks in the first quarter with Kathy Walsh reverse passed in the circle and Nicola Costello pressed the defence and the ball hit a Monkstown defender to the find goal. Kilkenny continued to push on with chances falling across the team in the circle but the ’keeper was battling to keep her team in game.

The Kilkenny defence was impressive with Maeve Doheny, Laura Dee and Lisa Delaney were pushing up to pile the pressure on. The first quarter ended with Kilkenny leading 1-0.

In the second quarter Kilkenny continued to dominate the possession. Forwards Lydia Cody, Jean Butler and Ava Phelan were pressing Monkstown back into their 22, giving no easy exits. Monkstown were unable to beat the press and chances to push the lead were falling to Kilkenny but they were unable to convert. Emily Ryan and Aisling McDonagh was seamlessly running the ball from defence to attack. Kilkenny finished the half with a short corner but were unable to extend their lead.

In the second half Monkstown came into the game with several shots and short corners but the Kilkenny goalkeeper Laura Lanigan was on top form to keep a clean sheet. Aoife Murphy, Eimear Brennan and Emma Moore were dominating the middle, preventing Monkstown from getting joy down the centre.

Kilkenny continued to press on in the final quarter and were rewarded when a slick ball into the circle resulted in a short corner. Aisling MacDonagh found Aoife Murphy at the top of the circle but she was unable to get a shot away and guided the ball to Lydia Cody. Lydia expertly slotted the ball past the Monkstown ’keeper to close the game out with a 2-0 win for Kilkenny.

This win for Kilkenny has pushed them to the top of their league. They will hope to maintain their winning ways when they travel to Dublin to play YMCA on Saturday.

Kilkenny Thirds - Laura Lanigan, Laura Dee, Maeve Doheny, Lisa Delaney, Aoife Murphy, Emma Moore, Eimear Brennan, Emily Ryan, Aisling MacDonagh, Kathy Walsh, Lydia Cody, Nicola Costello, Jean Butler, Ava Phelan.

Coach - Paddy Dalton.