Cleere to the rescue as Cats hold on for home point

Wet and dreary conditions were no match for the Kilkenny Ladies Firsts when they played host to near rivals Naas in Kilkenny College on Saturday.

Having snatched a late equalising goal against Trinity Hockey Club last week, Evan Matthews’ side were looking to build on that performance in their first home game of the season.

It was the travelling team that got the rub of the green in the early stages of the game as they caught the Kilkenny defenders on their heels. After a quick break up the left wing the ball bobbled around in the Kilkenny circle until it trickled into the back of the net.

Naas held onto their slender lead throughout the first half, despite Kilkenny’s best efforts. The Cats almost converted a penalty corner late in the first half but the Naas goalkeeper made a great save.

The second half saw Kilkenny grow in dominance as Sinead Connery, Ciara Clarke and Anna May Whelan took the game by the scruff of the neck. The Cats got their reward in the third quarter when a well struck cross from Paula Farrell picked out Katie Leslie who finished the ball neatly into the Naas net for her first goal of the season.

Kilkenny continued to pile on the pressure in the hope of bagging all three points. Despite their dominance in the game, it was Naas who won themselves a penalty corner in the dying seconds. Kilkenny ’keeper Hazel Cleere came to the rescue for her side, pulling off a double save to ensure the game ended in a draw, earning the Cats a vital point.

Kilkenny are on the road again this Saturday as they take on Bray at 12.30pm in Temple Carrig in Greystones.

Kilkenny Firsts: Hazel Cleere (GK), Ciara Clarke, Sophie Naughton, Ally Williams, Sinead Connery, Linda Caulfield, Anna May Whelan, Paula Farrell (C), Sara Browne, Laura Walshe, Gemma O’Dwyer, Ally Carter, Sue Shirley, Aoife Cotter, Katie Leslie.

Coach/Manager: Evan Matthews, Jenny Wallace.