Kilkenny 1-12 Dublin
1-5
On
days you win you don’t do everything right and on days you lose you don’t do
everything wrong.
Dublin did a lot right
in this game – the application was intense; the workrate from every one of the
23 players used was first class and a 7 points defeat against the All-Ireland
runners-up and League champions was an improvement on recent games with the
Cats.
Bit by bit Dublin are taking the
right steps – a number of positions are being nailed down especially in defence
and in four league games played only three goals have been conceded.
That in part explains Dublin’s more
competitive current healthy state.
Kilkenny may have been minus a few regulars but it was two
of their big guns who stepped up to the mark.
Full forward Denise Gaule was the “go to” player and All-Star 2014 Ann
Dalton nailed three super points from play in the third quarter.
Between them they notched up 0-11 with Gaule
getting 0-5 from placed balls.
That said
Dublin full-back Rose Collins had a fine game – protecting her goal and putting
in some mighty clearances.
Dublin had a tonic start after three minutes when a long
range free from Ali Maguire landed in the small square.
Gráinne Quinn managed to create some space
for Emma Flanagan to boot to the net for the game’s opening score.
However Dublin needed to add to this.
The tackling was intense but within a minute
Michelle Quilty – another 2014 All-Star pointed neatly.
Three points on the trot by Denise Gaule put the homeside in
front by the 16
th
minute before a well worked move saw Michelle
Quilty finish clinically to the net.
Dublin trailed by 1-4 to 1-0 and on another day that might have been
that but the victories over Derry and Clare and the work undertaken have bred
a greater degree of resilience and Elaine O’Meara capitalised on good work by
Muireann O’Gorman to land a great point.
Ali Twomey was having a right battle with Mairead Power and
several times disrupted Kilkenny possession.
That opening 20 minutes was to be Dublin’s undoing as for
the remaining 40+ minutes the scoreline was a more balanced 0-7 to Kilkenny and
0-5 for Dublin.
Dublin should have had a
goal in the 26
th
minute when Sarah O’Donovan made a straight burst
through the middle but her strike on goal was hooked when maybe a handpass to
the net might have been the better option.
Dublin also missed two scoreable frees in this half.
A commendable trait of Kilkenny whether hurling or camogie
is that streak of ruthlessness that separates winners from the others.
Just before the break they went in search of
a killer goal – something to sink the hearts of their opponents.
But Dublin were having none of it and
tremendous goal-line defending by Ali Maguire, Rose Collins and the composed
Sile nic Coitir between the posts held firm.
Kilkenny weren't deterred and from the resumption Ann Dalton
drove over two great points from play.
But in the 35
th
minute Dublin put together their best move
which began deep in their own half with Rose Collins and following good
interplay involving the direct running of Siobhan Kehoe – Emma Flanagan split
the posts in the 35
th
minute.
Throughout the field Dublin kept battling – Laura Twomey,
Deirdre Johnstone, Elaine O’Meara and particularly Catríona Power began to
dominate their players with the result that other than Gaule no Kilkenny
forward managed to score in the second half.
Two
superb pointed frees by Ali Maguire each from 50m into the slight breeze left
just three points between the sides.
A goal at this stage for Dublin might have
turned the game.
Two chances presented
themselves when once again Siobhan Kehoe made a penetrating run but instead of
catching the ball Ali Twomey opted to control the sliothar with the stick – a
split second was lost and the chance disappeared in the 46
th
minute.
Four
minutes later Dublin created another goal chance when Louise O’Hara bore down
on goal.
Her shot was partially hooked
and when the ball was claimed by Aisling Maher she was upended in the box for a
penalty.
Some
hesitation in nominating the penalty taker and some more delays as the referee
sorted out where everyone should be delayed the free - not something free-takers like. When taken Louise O’Hara’s
rising shot sailed over the black spot.
It
was a let-off for Kilkenny and they seized full advantage with four clinching
points by Denise Gaule.
Dublin were
still pressing and only resolute defending from the likes of Jacqui Frisby kept
the visitors out.
Try as they did the
Dubs could not add to their tally in the closing 13 minutes.
Dublin
will meet Kilkenny in the first round of the Championship at home on 20 June
and may come face to face in the Leinster championship in May depending on
other results.
Plenty to look forward
to.
Dublin’s
interest in the League may not be over – it all depends on the outcome of the
final game between Clare and Kilkenny but the champions would seem to be in
pole position to advance.
Dublin:
Sile nic Coitir, Catríona Power, Rose Collins, Deirdre Johnstone, Elaine O’Meara
(0-1), Alison Maguire (0-2f), Laura Twomey, Aisling Carolan, Martha O’Dononghue,
Ali Twomey, Sarah O’Donovan, Louise O’Hara (0-1f), Emma Flanagan (1-1), Gráinne
Quinn, Aisling Maher
Subs
used: Muireann O’Gorman, Siobhan Kehoe, Claire Rigney, Áine Fanning, Orlaith
Durkan, Mary Cronin, Mairi Moynihan, Leah Butler
Kilkenny
scorers:
Denise Gaule (0-8, 0-4f, 0-1
45), Michelle Quilty (1-1), Ann Dalton (0-3)
Referee:
Peter Dowd