Kilkenny 0-10  Dublin 0-3

Prior to this game, Dublin were already through to the All-Ireland semi finals but nevertheless they gave their all in a bid to finish the round robin phase unbeaten on a sunburnt pitch in Naomh Mearnóg.

They made their task difficult by striking 12 wides – 8 in the first half when they had a slight breeze at their backs.   But despite this the management will be pleased with most of the performance.    Playing at extra defender at the back, Dublin’s defence was outstanding with the likes of Sarah Meagher, Jennifer O’Sullivan and Jody Couch catching the eye in front of a very capable ‘keeper Megan Thomas.

By the 4 ^th minute Kilkenny had pointed twice thanks to Aoife Doyle and the impressive Danille Morrissey who would slot over 7 points in the game.

But Dublin were competing well especially the likes of Sinéad Wylde at centre forward and a hard working half back line of Rachel Regan, Derbhla Nolan and the long-striking Rebecca Lewis who pointed a great free in the 27 ^th minute to bring Dublin’s tally to 0-2.   Kim Hickey got the opener from a free after 20 minutes.   Dublin had chances in this half but too often the ball drifted wide as the full-forward was unable to keep it in play.   Danielle Morrissey continued to keep the Cats in front thanks to her accuracy from frees but Dublin’s Ciara Murphy, Aoife Mahon, Anne McSweeney, Ciara Murphy and Orla Gray could not be faulted for their workrate.

Dublin trailed by 0-4 to 0-2 at the break and would have been confidently looking forward to the second half.   However as luck would have, the breeze stiffened and Dublin found it hard to make real progress in attack where Kilkenny ‘keeper Leah Dunne, full-back Marie Brennan and wing back Nicole Carter (daughter of Charlie) were prominent.

Kilkenny carried a slight edge in attack with Danielle Morrissey and Eimear Farrell always a danger but it was a tribute to the Dublin defence that only Morrissey scored from play with the remainder of the Kilkenny points from play coming from wing back Aoife Doyle and midfielder Caoimhe Dowling.  

Ciara Holland looked lively for Dublin when introduced in the attack and pointed a free in the 44 ^th minute to leave just four points between the sides.   Chloe Mullan and Niamh Cannon were winning good position around the middle of the field and Rachel Brennan, Alex Buckley, Niamh Hetherton and Jessica Murphy did all the could to gather scores.   Dublin needed one break around the goals and one felt that the lift might be enough to drive them on but Kilkenny defended well and finished with some excellent scores.   As it was they could not find the range from play although Sophie Malone was unlucky not to see her effort go over the bar late in the game..... and those dozen wides proved their undoing.

Kilkenny scorers: Danielle Morrissey (0-7), Aoife Doyle (0-2), Caoimhe Dowling (0-1)

Dublin scorers:   Kim Hickey, Rebecca Lewis and Ciara Holland (0-1 each)

Referee: Eamonn Cassidy