Report

Dublin v Kilkenny

Kilkenny 2 - 15  Dublin 1 - 9

Tús maith leath na hoibre according to the Irish proverb and Dublin needed a good start in this game against Kilkenny.  A minute into the game a tremendous break by Sarah Ryan had goal written all over it.  A slick pass to Miriam Twomey who controlled the ball superbly and struck a sweet shot in her one-on-one with the 'keeper Caitriona Ryan but Miriam was most unlucky to see the ball shave the wrong side of the upright.

It would be totally unfair to suggest that this might have altered the result but there is no denying that it would have given Dublin a big boost and might have bought time before wind-assisted Kilkenny could re-group. 

A minute later Katie Power opened the Cats account and with further points from the Piltown girl as well as scores from Michelle Quilty, Miriam Walsh, Aoife Neary and a goal by Miriam Walsh in the 10th minute Kilkenny had opened a nine points gap by the 10th minute: 1-6 to 0-0.

But Dublin responded and for the next 45 minutes scored 1-9 to Kilkenny's 1-9 with the visitors' goal coming practically on the stroke of time.

But like their hurling counterparts Kilkenny are masters at keeping a lead once it has been established and Dublin were left to rue that disastrous opening 10 minutes.

Dublin raised their first white flag in the 14th minute when debutante Ciara Berkeley pointed a free.  Kilkenny were back quickly with a free of their own from Aoife Neary to cancel that effort.  Indeed frees were one of the talking points of the game as referee John Dolan drew frustrated gasps from all sides as the game was frequently interrupted with stoppages.  It appears new guidelines from Croke Park have forced referees to enforce a zero tolerance on almost any form of physical contact in the game.

Dublin's first score from play came from Louise O'Hara in the 20th minute just after a very quick advance by 'keeper Clodagh Bolger denied Kilkenny a second goal.

With Emma Whyte and Lizzie McSweeney doing excellently on their debuts in the full-back line, Dublin were containing Kilkenny and up front, Amy Murphy was causing problems for the Kilkenny full-back Catherine Doherty.  Miriam Twomey, Mairi Moynihan and Muireann O'Gorman were battling hard as was the excellent Sarah Ryan at centre forward.

Despite playing into the breeze Dublin were exerting pressure and four minutes from time Amy Murphy was once again fouled.  Louise O'Hara's penalty was well stopped and Dublin failed to add a point from the rebound.  Added to a missed close-in free, Dublin should really have had about 1-5 on the scoreboard at the break but as it was Kilkenny went in 1-9 to 0-3 in front.

The home side needed the boost of an early score but despite some early pressure it was Kilkenny who grabbed the first score through the superb Miriam Walsh.   Despite the quality of the centre forward, Dublin centre-back Gráinne Quinn acquitted herself well.

Three pointed frees from the impressive Ciara Berkeley who had just finished her Leaving Certificate between the 37th and 40th minutes left Dublin trailing by 7 points but once again Kilkenny found a productive period and the next four scores were shared by Aoife Neary (frees) and Katie Power. 

Laura Twomey had been introduced by this stage and was agressive and strong in the half-back line.  She was ably supported in the other wing position by Fiona Hayes who had a fine closing 15 minutes.  Amy Murphy was now operating at wing forward and winning some decent possession.  From a fine clearance by Fiona Hayes in the 51st minute the ball broke to Sarah Ryan and from 13 metres she hammered home a great goal.  This followed two great points from play by Ciara Berkeley and Amy Murphy.

Dublin won the puck-out and earned a free on the 20m line but Ciara Berkeley's effort drifted wide and the opportunity to ask further questions of the Kilkenny team was spurned.

Time was against Dublin now and when Michelle Quilty palmed to the net, Kilkenny had a 2-15 to 1-9 win which was a little harsh on Dublin's performance.

Dublin:  Clodagh Bolger, Emma Whyte, Lizzie McSweeney, Elaine O'Meara, Catriona Power, Gráinne Quinn, Fiona Hayes, Louise O'Hara  (0-2), Alison Maguire, Mairi Moynihan, Sarah Ryan (1-0), Muireann O'Gorman, Ciara Berkeley (0-6, 4f, 1 45), Amy Murphy (0-1), Miriam Twomey

Subs: Laura Twomey, Áine Fanning, Alison Twomey

Referee:  John Dolan (Clare)

Left Navigation

join us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter

© 2024 Dublin Camogie County Board

Web Design Dublin by Webtrade.ie.

Web design sponsored by Webtrade.ie
Image