Kilkenny Thirds make their point in top of the table clash

The Kilkenny Ladies Thirds took on Portrane Thirds in a top of the table clash in Leinster League Division Nine on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams had to battle with the effects of Storm Darragh’s bitterly cold wind as a hardy gale blew across the Kilkenny College pitch, but it was the home side who got to the game’s temperature first.

The home side got off to a flying start with centre midfield maestro Eimear Brennan slicing the ball through the Portrane defence to pick out Lydia Cody in the opposition circle.

One on one with the Portrane goalkeeper, Cody calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the goal to make it 1-0 to the Cats in the opening minutes.

Kilkenny’s dominance continued for the remainder of the first half, but they could not extend their narrow lead. The midfield set up of Joanna Morrissey, Maeve Doheny, Aisling McDonagh and Eimear Brennan were running the game, but couldn’t find the back of the net, despite having much of the possession of the ball.

Towards the end of the first game, Portrane equalised against the run of play through a well deflected penalty corner. Kilkenny goalkeeper Laura Lanigan was wrongfooted by the deflection as the ball flew into the top of the goal, leaving the sides all square at the half-time break.

With the game very much in the balance, Kilkenny’s defence of Laura Dee, Lisa Delaney, Laura Kavanagh, Katie Cullen and Milly Harwood stood firm and, as a result, Laura Lanigan was untroubled between the sticks in the second half. The team was urged on by both team coach Paddy Dalton and supporters from the sideline.

Forwards Aine Ryan, Candice Bearpark, Ava Phelan, Lydia Cody, Anna Buckley and Kathy Walsh were putting in the hard yards trying to recapture the lead and pressing the ball deep in the Portrane half.

With the defence pushing up to pile on the pressure, the Cats managed to win themselves a series of penalty corners. The home side looked like taking the lead thanks to a well struck shot from Laura Kavanagh, but Kavanagh’s effort smashed the post and went wide.

The Kilkenny team continued to go in search of the winner in the final quarter, but their attacking strength did not lead to a further score.

Portrane had settled for the draw and adopted a full defensive set up after their long journey down from North Dublin and they were the happier side with the share of the points at the end.

Kilkenny travel to Mullingar next Saturday in their final league fixture before the Christmas break.

Kilkenny Thirds - Laura Lanigan, Laura Dee, Milly Harwood, Katie Cullen, Lisa Delaney, Laura Kavanagh, Joanna Morrissey, Eimear Brennan, Maeve Doheny, Aisling McDonagh, Lydia Cody, Kathy Walsh, Candice Bearpark, Ava Phelan, Anna Buckley, Aine Ryan.

Coach - Paddy Dalton.