REPORT
Littlewoods Ireland Division 1 Round 1 League. Kilkenny v Dublin at John Locke PK Kilkenny. Saturday May 15th 2021
Final score Kilkenny 1:8 Dublin 0.6
All Ireland Champions Kilkenny come out on top V Dublin in Div 1 of the Littlewoods National league but some good positives for Dublin can be taken from the game.
Kilkenny had 4 changes to their team today versus the Championship final of 2020 but still many household names are included in their starting line up. Dublin had Faye McCarthy back in goals, after a 2 year stint away, and Eve O' Brien was back in the fold, wearing the number 3 Jersey, having missed last year's campaign. Dublin had 4 players in their starting line up who had made their Dublin debuts in 2020, the Couch Twins, Jodie and Gaby, Muireann Kelleher in corner back and Aoife Walsh up front.
Kilkenny started strongly winning the throwin but a pending attack by the All Ireland Champions was halted with a great interception by Dublin's veteran Grainne Quinn, who was playing center back today for Dublin. Dublin's Cornerback Orla Gray passed out to Emma Flanaghan in Mid Field but Kilkenny's Davina Tobin breaks down the play and KK wins the free (the first of 8 frees Dublin conceded in the first 15 mins) Denise Gaule had no problem slotting over the bar, KK are on the score sheet. The next two attempts for scores came from KK, a free that was put wide by Gaule followed by a converted free by no 12 Michaela Kenneally.
Dublin won the next free which was played by Emma Flanagan to Kerrie Finnegan, Kerrie passed to Jodie Couch but her shot went wide. This was followed by a 'fortunate goal' for Kilkenny when Aoife Doyle's strike bounced awkwardly in front of McCarthy and went into the net, this was to be the only goal of the game.
The next score came from a free for Ais Maher, after Roisin Kaker put Grace Walsh under so much pressure she over-carried the ball, Dublin were now on the score sheet. This was followed by two more converted KK frees by Denise Gaule. KK could have had another point before the first water break when Denise Gaule gave an excellent line ball to Aoife Doyle but her shot was collected by Faye MCCarthy who confidently cleared the ball
Score at the water break, KK 1.4 Dublin 0:1
The first score after the water break came from an intercepted ball by KK and Kelly Anne Doyle put her name on the score sheet. The next score of the game came from a free off the stick of Ais Maher, Roisin Baker who was dogged all day, had won the free
It was a tight game for the remainder of the half, some might have expected KK to pull away before half time but Dublin worked very hard, were extremely physical and never gave up.
Kerrie Finnegan may be disappointed that she could not make more of a ball she received in a dangerous position but she came too close to the KK goalkeeper, Aoife Norris, who cleared the ball into safety. This was followed by a disallowed goal to KK who were penalised in the square for a handpass goal which is no longer allowed and Dublin were awarded a free out. The last score of the half came from Dublin's Jodie Couch after the KK goalie had made a very good save from the attempt by Kerrie Finnegan. Dublin went on to win another free but this time Ais Maher put the sliotar wide.
Score at half time KK 1:5 Dublin 0:3
The First score of the second half came to Dublin, again from Ais Maher, but this time from play, Orla Gray, having cut out a Davina Tobin attack, cleared the ball to the Dublin forwards and Aisling made the most of the opportunity.
In the first 3 minutes of the second half McCarthy, in the Dublin goal, was kept busy but made some great saves to keep her team in the game.
Denise Gaule was on hand again with a great score after a good passage of play from the KK ladies. KK went on to have another wide.
At this stage of the game the wind was starting to pick up and was favouring KK but still Dublin fought hard to try and cut down the KK 6 point lead. Gaule did have another attempt for a score but with pressure from Dublin full back, Eve O Brien, she put the ball wide.
With 5 mins to 5 to go to the water break Leah Butler came into the Dublin side, Dublin went on to score another point, this time a second one from Jodie Couch, probably the score of the game, against the breeze from the right hand side line. The quarter was finished with a wide from Dublin's Ais Mather
Going into the last quarter of the game the score was Kilkenny 1:6 Dublin 0.5 KK at this stage made a number of subs and Miriam Walsh scored her only point of the game. KK are now 1:7
Dublin makes a substitution. Aoife Whelan gets her chance to come on in place of Jodie Couch, (who should be happy with her 2 points from play)
Killkeny went on to threaten the Dublin goal, Grace Walsh with a great strike was met by an equally good save from McCarthy, who put the ball out for a 45. Gaule slots the 45 over the bar to bring the KK score to 1.8
Dublin did have an opportunity following on from this but the KK backs swamped out the Duiblin Forwards, Dublin made another substitution and veteran Aisling Carolan joined the action.
Dublin went on to clock up another wide with a ball in from Aisling Carolan to Aisling Maher which she played to Aoife Walsh, but the sliotar was put wide.
Dublin then made a number of changes with Julia Buckley, Izzy Davis (minor player from John O' Connell's minor squad in 2020) coming on to the pitch
The last score of the game for Dublin came from a well won 45 which Aisling Maher slotted over the bar Dublin now 0:6
Final score Kilkenny 1:8 Dublin 0.6