Weather blues as Kilkenny fall to Tipperary in Under 23 Championship
Tipperary 1-18 Kilkenny 0-17
Kilkenny travelled to The Ragg looking for their second win of the All-Ireland under-23 series on Saturday, but came home empty-handed as, in atrocious weather conditions, the home side came out four point winners.
A slow start hampered Kilkenny’s hopes as Tipp’s Aoife Dwyer fired over the opening four points (three free) inside six minutes.
It took Kilkenny some time to get into the game, but they were helped by Rachel Dowling, who slotted over two pointed frees.
Ciara O’Keeffe added Kilkenny’s third point after she fielded the sliotar from a Katie Byrne clearance, leaving just one between the sides.
The run gave Kilkenny some momentum and, with the bit between their teeth, they pressed on. Rachel Dowling tacked on another two points (one free), while Amy Brennan and Ellen Gunner added a point each to push the visitors into a 0-7 to 0-4 lead.
Aoife Fitzgerald scored Tipperary’s fifth point, their first score since the sixth minute, but Kilkenny pressed on. Lauren Ronan grabbed two points for the visitors, and while Danielle Ryan and Aoife Dwyer (free) slotted over a point each Kilkenny were 0-9 to 0-7 in front at the break.
As in the first half the hosts made another good start on the resumption. Tipp hit the ground running, slotting over seven unanswered points through Danielle Ryan, Kate Ferncombe, Aoife Dwyer (four frees) and Grace Moloney to go from two down to five points in front.
Rachel Dowling led the comeback and bagged the next three points from placed balls for Kilkenny but, in the 46th minute, Tipperary bagged the decisive score when Aoife Dwyer rattled the back of the Kilkenny net to put the home side 1-14 to 0-12 ahead.
Rachel Dowling and Laura Phelan helped themselves to a point each for Kilkenny. Caoimhe McCormack and Amy Brennan swapped points before Aoife Dwyer converted her ninth free for Tipperary.
Heading towards the full time whistle, Rachel Dowling added two points for Kilkenny, but like scores from Grace Moloney and Danielle Ryan helped Tipperary on their way to a four-point win.
Kilkenny will hope for better fortune when they play Galway this weekend.
Teams and scorers
Tipperary – Aoife Dwyer (1-10, 0-9 frees); Danielle Ryan (0-3); Grace Moloney (0-2); Aoife Fitzgerald, Kate Ferncombe, Caoimhe McCormack (0-1 each).
Kilkenny – Rachel Dowling (0-10, 0-7 frees); Amy Brennan, Lauren Ronan (0-2 each); Ciara O’Keeffe, Ellen Gunner, Laura Phelan (0-1 each).
Kilkenny – Sinead Farrell; Hannah Larkin, Eadaoin Coady, Sofia Kerr; Muireann Gannon, Tara McGrath, Aisling Browne; Laura Phelan, Emma Mulhall; Katie Byrne, Rachel Dowling, Ellen Gunner; Lauren Ronan, Ciara O’Keeffe, Amy Brennan.
Sub: Eabha Carroll for Hannah Larkin.
Tipperary – Aine Slattery; Lorna Ryan, Maria Connolly, Anna Fahie; Aoife Fitzgerald, Miriam Murphy, Eabha Dolan; Lily Fahie, Orla O’Brien; Celine Guinan, Kate Ferncombe, Aoife Dwyer; Grace Moloney, Danielle Ryan, Hannah Butler.
Referee - Joseph Mullins.