Kilkenny Under-16s claim big win over Dublin

Meeting for the third time this season, and a week after the Cats beat Dublin in the Leinster final by a point, Kilkenny had a comprehensive win over the Metropolitans in the first Round of the under-16A All-Ireland championship on Sunday.

It was a fantastic experience for the under-16s to play in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Kilkenny’s joint captain Emily Phelan opened the scoring inside the first minute with a point from play.

Then Eva Collis, Dublin’s corner forward, got in for a goal in the fourth minute.

But two minutes later, Kilkenny cleared the sliotar upfield. Ella Walton ran along the endline, she cut back in and rifled a shot to the back of the net.

Ella Collis pointed for the Dubs which was sandwiched between two Muireann Kenny pointed frees for the home side. Holly Ryan tacked on a point for Kilkenny before Kate Keaney and Eva Collis added points for Dublin.

Kilkenny’s other Joint Captain Leah O’Donovan put her name on the scoresheet when the sliotar emerged from a ruck.

Gathering possession, she coolly slotted the ball over the bar.

In the 23rd minute, Ella Walton got in for her second goal. Kilkenny’s first shot was blocked, but Walton put her boot to the sliotar and kicked it into the net past the Dublin goalkeeper.

Molly Bourke then added two points from play for Dublin to leave the home side three points in front at the break (2-5 to 1-5).

On the resumption of play, Kilkenny took complete control. They kept Dublin scoreless, despite the visitors having multiple chances.

Muireann Kenny added to her tally with two points from placed balls.

The hard-working Sadhbh Shefflin then got onto the scoresheet with a fine point from play.

Muireann Kenny increased the lead with two pointed frees before Kilkenny substitute Kadhla Croke got in on the scoring with a lovely point on the run. Muireann Kenny tacked on her seventh point from a free before, in additional time, Kilkenny’s Emma Hogan ran at the Dublin defence and hit a rasper of a shot.

It came back off the crossbar and Shauna Mahony pulled first time to send the sliotar to the back of the net.

The referee blew the full-time whistle soon after and Kilkenny were victorious on a 3-12 to 1-5 scoreline.

Kilkenny now play Limerick in the second round of the under-16A All-Ireland championship in Newcastlewest on Sunday at 2pm.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny – Muireann Kenny (0-7, frees); Ella Walton (2-0); Shauna Mahony (1-0); Emily Phelan, Holly Ryan, Leah O’Donovan, Sadhbh Shefflin, Kadhla Croke (0-1 each).

Dublin – Eva Collis (1-2), Molly Bourke (0-2), Kate Keaney (0-1).

Kilkenny – Caoimhe Corcoran, Ayesha Belalaoui, Olivia Dunphy, Ali Greany, Taylor Aylward, Ciara Hickey, Aoife O’Grady, Sadhbh Shefflin, Aoibheann Ryan, Leah O’Donovan (joint captain), Ruth Crowley, Holly Ryan, Ella Walton, Emily Smith (joint captain), Muireann Kenny.

Subs: Shauna Doheny for Ayesha Belalaoui, Mia Dunne for Aoife O’Grady, Shauna Mahony for Leah O’Donovan, Eleanor Doheny for Ruth Crowley, Emma Hogan for Ella Walton, Kadhla Croke for Holly Ryan, Chloe Teehan for Sadhbh Shefflin, Eibhlin Thompson, Sinead Jones, Megan Trait, Tara Cody, Lily Ryan, Keelin Byrne, Eva Tynan, Sian Bolger, Maria Ryan, Katie Chambers, Ona Kennedy, Kate Meighan.

Dublin – Xiou (Iona) Wu, Roisin Nolan, Lucy Brady, Cara Coffey, Caoimhe Brady, Sadhbh McGeough, Ellie Reen, Jocelyn Hanks, Ella Jenkins, Ava O’Neill, Molly Bourke, Kate Keaney, Eva Collis, Clodagh Hogan (captain), Niamh Hyland.

Subs: Anna Magee, Kaci Hodgins, Emma Redden (vice-captain), Cliodhna Thomas, Emma Ryan, Laura McGlinchey, Meadhbh Ní Chleirigh, Naomi Crilly, Reka Kiss Kallo, Robyn Costello, Roisin Murray, Sadhbh Lynch, Sadhbh McCann, Sophie McDonnell.

Referee – Donnacha O’Callaghan.