Kilkenny Under 16's overcome Wexford in low-scoring clash

Kilkenny registered their first victory in the Under 16 A Camogie Championship when claiming a four point success over Wexford in Freshford on Sunday afternoon.

The Cats youngsters made up for earlier defeats to Limerick, Cork and Tipperary with a composed display against the Model County.

On the referees whistle Wexford made the first break for goal only to be stopped by Kilkenny corner back Rhianna Scott who defended and drove the sliotar out of danger and up the pitch.

Kilkenny then pushed forward and got point from play by Kate Dowling.

Both teams shared equal time on the ball for a while until Kilkennyhad a shot at goal but it was put out of play for a 45 by Wexford keeper Muireann Kavanagh.

Michelle Killeen tehn added on the set piece to extend Kilkenny’s tally.

Wexford pushed forward and gained a free in from around 50 metres out only for it to drop short and it was cleared by Kilkenny’s Rachel Phelan which set Kilkenny on the attack where they gained a free that was converted by Michelle Killeen.

Kilkenny struck again with another two points, Lucy Boyd from play and Michelle Killeen from a free.

Wexford worked hard for their first score which came from Emma McCarthy from a free followed by point for play Kayla Reddy.

Wexford controlled much of the ball for the rest of the half until Ray Kelly blew the whistle for the interval.

The second half saw Wexford come out strong with a quick point from play for Emma McCarthy.

Kilkenny’s response was two quick points, Michelle Killeen from a free and Ciara Delaney from play.

Wexford went on a run and popped over a point courtesy of Erin O Brien.

Not to be outdone Kilkenny’s Ciara O Shea took control of the scoring putting over two points from play.

It was a tough but fair match where both teams were equally matched in all positions on the pitch with Kilkenny just having the edge towards the end but that didn't stop Wexford from fighting all the way and Wexford’s Lucia Goggins got her own well-deserved point from play.

Final score- Kilkenny 0-9 Wexford 0-5.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny – Michelle Killeen 0-4, Ciara O’Shea 0-2, Kate Dowling, Lucy Boyd, Ciara Delaney 0-1 each

Wexford– Emma McCarthy 0-2. Kayla Reddy, Lucia Goggins, Eirin O’Brien 0-1 each

Kilkenny – Katelyn O’Connor, Rhianna Scott, Katelyn Phelan, Grace Brennan, Ella O’Reilly, Rachel Phelan, Emily Cooney, Ena Lawlor, Emily Phelan, Aisling O’Sullivan, Michelle Killeen, Ciara Delaney, Kate Dowling, Ciara O’Shea, Lucy Boyd.

Subs – Shona Ruane for Rhianna Scott, Aisling O’Shea for Lucy Boyd, Molly Conroy for Katelyn Phelan, Orla Phelan, Jessica Smith, May Cummins, Roisin Burns, Caoimhe Power, Aoife Dooley, Rebecca Hayden, Siobhan Kenny, Molly Cummins, Grainne O’Loughlin), Siofraidh Kennedy, Jenny Saunders, Eabha Mullally, Siofra O’Leary, Jill O’Brien, Roisin Leahy, Niamh Davis, Eimear O’Neill, Alex Brennan

Wexford – Muireann Kavanagh, Grainne Hourihane, Sarah Kirwan, Alanna Firman, Emma O’Leary, Cara Power, Keelin Doyle, Lucia Goggins, Layla Stafford (Captain), Orla O’Rourke (Vice Captain), Usha Daly O’Toole, Emma McCarthy, Roisin O’Meara, Kayla Reddy, Ciara Whelan.

Subs – Eirin O’Brien, Ellie O’Connell, Emily Murphy, Anna Dolan, Aoibhinn Egan, Lucia Donohue, Molly Chin, Rachel Cullen, Makayla Tobin Cosgrove, Emma Boland, Orlaith Flynn, Ella Jones.

Referee- Ray Kelly (Kildare)