Kilkenny Seconds make their point at home to high-flying Students

The Kilkenny Ladies Seconds took on UCD’s fifth team in their last match before the Christmas break, picking up a point to wrap up the first half of the season.

While Kilkenny had home advantage on the day, UCD were going to lean into all their experience as last year’s league winners and as the current top of the table team for this season.

Kilkenny had a lot of the possession throughout the game, with forwards Ella Greene, Caoimhe Dunne, Caitríona Twomey and Orla Shields keen to get on the scoresheet but the UCD defence held strong.

Kilkenny had several short corners throughout the game, with two excellent drag flicks by Niamh Spratt saved by the UCD goalkeeper.

The Kilkenny defensive line of Hazel Cleere, Hannah Bailey, Jill O’Keeffe, Niamh Boland, Maggie Byrne and Niamh Spratt were relatively untroubled throughout the game, and dealt very well with any UCD offensive plays.

Midfielders Aoife Cotter, Louise Kenny, Faye Reynolds linked play excellently throughout the four quarters.

A Kilkenny goal was disallowed in the final minutes of the game, which resulted in a penalty stroke for the home team. Nessa Farrell stepped up to take on the challenge and sent the ball towards the corner of the goal but the UCD goalie got there in the nick of time to pull off a last minute save.

A scoreless draw was the end result of the game. Kilkenny are back in action again on January 3 when they will take on Laois Ladies.

Kilkenny Seconds: Hannah Bailey, Nessa Farrell, Hazel Cleere, Faye Reynolds, Niamh Spratt O’Shea, Aoife Cotter, Louise Kenny, Catriona Twomey, Caoimhe Dunne, Jill O’Keeffe, Niamh Boland, Ella Greene, Catriona Twomey, Orla Shields, Maggie Byrne.
Coach: Sue Shirley.