Gaynor heartbreak as Kilkenny lose to Cork

It was Bowl final heartbreak for Kilkenny as an extra-time penalty saw Cork snatch the spoils.

Anna Cronin’s 72nd minute spot kick proved to be the difference at the University of Limerick, in a final in which defences dominated.

The game was barely into the second half of extra-time when Cork broke the deadlock, Cronin scoring from the spot after her free into the box struck a Kilkenny arm. Goalkeeper Sofia Blackmore guessed the right way, but couldn’t get her right hand to the ball before it snuck into the far corner of the net.

It was wretched luck on a Kilkenny side who battled throughout but couldn’t find the goal they craved. Neither, for that matter, could Cork. The Munster side went close early on when Shania West fired a low shot across the goal, but Blackmore got down to make a smart save. The Kilkenny netminder was a star throughout Friday’s final, her confident catching and saving complementing the strong defensive work of central defensive duo Katie Mulcahy and Sophie McCabe.

Kilkenny took some time to find their attacking threat, but almost went in front before the break. Alice Maher had the chance when she seized on Kate Dalton’s flick, but her shot was well held by Cork goalkeeper Ella McCarthy.

The Cats were first to threaten after the restart and went within a whisker of taking the lead. Skipper Amy Walsh went close when she whipped a 36th minute free into the box - the ball flashed across the face of goal and somehow stayed out.

Spurred on, Kilkenny raised their attacking game after that. Orla Sutton went close with a snapshot while, at the other end, West brought a comfortable save from Blackmore.

With the teams beginning to tire after their week-long campaigns it was no surprise that extra-time was a tame affair. Kilkenny had the best chance in the first of the additional 10 minutes when Walsh neatly sidestepped her marker and fired at goal, but her shot failed to hit the target.

It was all change when Cork struck from the spot in the second half. Kilkenny gave it their all, with Emma Dempsey driving her side on, but Cork held on for the narrowest of wins - it was cruel on the Cats.