Cats have no need to feel down after draw with YMCA

The Kilkenny Ladies hosted Dublin side YMCA in Kilkenny College on Saturday in their final Division One game of the season.

With the teams sitting side by side in the league table, it was a hotly anticipated fixture for the home fans to relish.

The Cats had the more favourable start to the game with much of the possession in the opposition half. Neat link-up play between Tyla Sanderson, Lily Grace and Ally Carter resulted in a series of penalty corners being awarded to the home side.

A well-executed drag flick from newcomer to the squad Sophie Naughton was initially saved by the YMCA goalkeeper, but Linda Caulfield was on hand to slot home the rebound to give Kilkenny an early lead and foothold in the game.

It was more of the same from the home side in the second quarter as Evan Matthews and Gavin Bourke’s side looked to stretch out their lead. Intricate stick-work and dribbling from Ally Carter and Gemma O’Dwyer saw the Cats cut open the opposition’s defence.

Kilkenny sharpshooters Sue Shirley and Sara Browne were both unlucky not to rattle the back of the net as the half-time whistle approached.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession, Kilkenny didn’t have it all their own way as YMCA’s purple patch came after the half-time break. A fast break from the travelling team caught the Cats on the hop.

Kilkenny’s netminder Jess Cary did well to get a stick to the ball, but an oncoming forward was first to the rebounding ball and finished it to the corner of the net to level up the game.

With the game very much in the balance, both teams went in search of the winning goal in a thrilling final quarter. To their credit, YMCA were determined to hold firm and made it difficult for the home side to break them down.

After an awkward tackle from the YMCA goalkeeper, Katie Leslie stepped up to take the resulting penalty corner.

Despite her blistering strike the ball was cleared off the line, denying Kilkenny the win - much to the relief of the Dublin side.

The Cats travel to Ulster this weekend as they take on Belfast Harlequins in the EY2 League.

Kilkenny Firsts: Jess Cary, Niamh Spratt O’Shea, Sophie Naughton, Tyla Sanderson, Ciara Clarke, Ally Williams, Paula Farrell (captain), Linda Caulfield, Gemma O'Dwyer, Sue Shirley, Sarah Richardson, Sara Browne, Roisin Burns, Lily Grace, Ally Carter, Katie Leslie.

Management: Gavin Bourke, Evan Matthews, Jenny Wallace.