Kilkenny Ladies remain competitive in Longford loss

In a challenging encounter at the Dunmore training centre, the Kilkenny Ladies Football team faced off against Longford in a National Division Four League match, marking a significant fixture that mirrored their return to adult ladies football last year.

The backdrop of Storm Isha’s torrential rain set the stage for a game that tested the mettle of both teams.

Despite a challenging start that saw Longford’s Niamh Brady netting two quick goals, the Kilkenny ladies displayed resilience and determination with Hollie Brennan setting up Ruby Roche for Kilkenny’s opening score on her first competitive start at this level.

The Kilkenny girls continued to apply the pressure with a strong wind behind them, cutting through the Longford defence to leave themselves with only the ’keeper to beat on two occasions however they failed to take advantage.

At the other end, boosted by the return of Eadaoin Coady Kilkenny worked hard to limit opportunities to a determined Longford team, who finished the half with an extra player due to a sin bin offence to just two further points in the half to leave it 2-2 to 0-1.

Responding to an early second half score from Longford’s Sian Gallagher, Kilkenny worked the ball up the field with centre back Ailish O’Neill driving through the middle before laying the ball off to Ruby Roche, who gave the Longford keeper no chance.

That goal, which brought it back to a five point game gave the rain-drenched supporters plenty to cheer about, however a quickfire 1-1 from the excellent Niamh Brady killed that momentum.

A standout trait of the Kilkenny team surfaced with their resilience, epitomised by their second goal.

Kelley Comerford’s determined run and Caitlinn Moore’s unstoppable shot into the corner of the net was just reward for her tireless work rate throughout the game.

Despite Kilkenny’s commendable efforts, the game lost its competitive edge as both teams made substitutions.

Longford’s depth became evident, securing two additional goals and sealing the match with a final scoreline of 4-9 to 2-1

However, despite the loss, Kilkenny’s supporters found encouragement in the team’s progress under new management.

With a bit more composure in front of goal, Kilkenny could have narrowed the final scoreline.

The match served as a commendable performance, providing a solid foundation for the team’s future development.

Teams and Scorers

Longford - Niamh Brady (3-1); Edel Sheehy (1-0); Grace Shannon (0-3); Clodagh Lohan (0-2); Ella O’Reilly (0-1, penalty); Sian Gallagher, Kate Shannon (0-1 each).

Kilkenny - Ruby Roche (1-1), Caitlinn Moore (1-0).

Kilkenny - Katie Fitzpatrick (John Lockes); Amy Ring (Muckalee), Aibhe Galwey (Kilkenny City), Sarah Smith (Kilkenny City); Jennifer O’Keeffe (Kilkenny City), Ailish O’Neill (Railyard), Keri Hennessy (John Lockes); Kelley Comerford (Muckalee), Becky Roche (Muckalee); Ellen Lawlor (Muckalee), Niamh Ward (Kilkenny City), Caitlinn Moore (John Lockes); Ruby Roche (Railyard), Hollie Brennan (Railyard), Kym Ryan (John Lockes).

Subs: Ellie Moran (Dunnamaggin), Sinead Kenrick (Muckalee), Becky Lomax (John Lockes), Holly Carroll (Kilkenny City), Leah Brett (John Lockes), Emma Dwyer (Railyard), Grace Healy (Muckalee), Abigael Egan (Kilkenny City), Laura Phelan (John Lockes), Riona Crowley (Kilkenny City), Eadaoin Coady (Muckalee), Sofia Kerr (Railyard), Millie Gilsenan (Kilkenny City), Katie Brennan (Railyard), Aoibhe Ryan (Dunnamaggin).

Longford - Siobhan Egan; Anna Moorhead, Leah Shannon, Grace Kenny; Orla Nevin, Ciara Mulligan, Caoimhe McCormack; Sian Gallagher, Ella O’Reilly; Lauren McGuire, Grace Shannon, Caoimhe Lohan; Clodagh Lohan, Niamh Brady, Elle Lynn.

Subs: Eimear O’Brien for A Moorhead, Shauna Hagan for E O’Reilly, Edel Sheehy for Caoimhe Lohan, Katelyn McKeon for C McCormack, Maria Rehill for N Brady, Anna Hayden for E Lynn, Kate Shannon for L Maguire, Megan Glennon for L Shannon.