Busy weekend of hockey action for Kilkenny teams

Leinster Hockey League Division One- Three Rock Rovers v Kilkenny

The Kilkenny Ladies Firsts squad were back in action on Saturday as they took on Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club in Dublin. Having bagged an admirable draw against Clontarf the previous week, the Cats looked to be in good form heading into the game.

With a sizeable home crowd at the game to cheer on the Dublin side, the Kilkenny defence were put under pressure from the get-go.

Kilkenny defenders Niamh Spratt O’Shea, Paula Farrell, Sam Willis and Lucy Simms battled tirelessly throughout the opening quarter, making it difficult for the Three Rock attackers to get a clean shot on goal. Kilkenny ’keeper Jess Cary was also kept busy between the sticks, pulling off some acrobatic saves. Unfortunately Cary could do nothing about a back post deflection which saw the hosts take the lead in the dying minutes of the first quarter.

The Cats looked rejuvenated in the second half, with speedy winger Sarah Richardson making a darting run forward from the push back. Richardson picked out Ally Carter in the opposition circle and the travelling team looked set on bagging themselves an equaliser, only for a fine save from the Three Rock Rovers goalkeeper.

As the third quarter came to a close, the home side quickly turned over the ball and found themselves on the attack. A slick pass from midfield caught the Kilkenny defence unawares and Three Rock netted their second goal of the game.

Despite going into the final quarter trailing by two goals, coach Danny Mulligan’s side stayed positive and enjoyed large spells of possession with the ball. Their determination soon paid off when Aoife Cotter slipped a pass to Gemma O’Dwyer in the circle. She managed to get a shot on goal which rebounded to the stick of Sara Browne, who tucked the ball into the net, giving Kilkenny a way back into the game.

The final minutes of the game saw a flurry of goals as Three Rock Rovers found a way into the Kilkenny circle and a fine strike saw them grab their third goal of the match. Much to their credit, the Cats never stopped battling and tore up the pitch in the final seconds. Newcomer Ciara Mahon made a menacing run into the circle in the dying seconds and blasted the ball into the corner of the Three Rock net, bringing the score line to 3-2.

Kilkenny are back at home next weekend when they welcome Dublin side Avoca to Kilkenny College at noon on Saturday.

Kilkenny Firsts - Paula Farrell (C), Jess Cary, Niamh Spratt O’Shea, Sam Willis, Lucy Simms, Sarah Richardson, Ally Williams, Sinead Connery, Ally Carter, Sara Browne, Aoife Cotter, Ciara Mahon, Sue Shirley, Laura O’Neill.

Coach/Manager - Danny Mulligan, Jenny Wallace.

Leinster Hockey League Division Six- Kilkenny 2 Our Lady's 0

The Kilkenny Ladies Seconds kickstarted their season with an impressive win at home to Our Lady’s on Saturday.
Kilkenny struggled in the opening quarter, but excellent defensive work by Andrea Parr, Jill O’Keeffe, Hannah Bailey and Maggie Byrne kept Our Lady’s at bay.

Kilkenny blasted into form in the second quarter. Midfielder Faye Reynolds controlled much of the play in the centre of the field and, with support from Louise Kenny and Emma Shepard, put the visiting defence under serious pressure. Quick thinking by centre forward player Catriona Twomey saw play switch to the right hand side onto the stick of Nessa Farrell. Farrell blasted the ball to the left of the keeper and a superb deflection from Orla Shields saw the ball hit the back of the net.

Kilkenny continued their attacking form throughout the third quarter, led by Ava Murphy and Mia Duggan.

Duggan’s tireless efforts upfront saw Kilkenny awarded an abundance of short corners. However a woman of the match performance by the Our Lady’s goalkeeper meant Kilkenny found it impossible to convert.

Kilkenny continued to push on into the final quarter and were awarded another short. This time they made no mistake. Quick distribution from Andrea Parr out to Nessa Farrell and back to Parr saw the ball rocket into the back of the net.

Overall, Sue Shirley’s side will be very happy with their opening performance after being promoted to Division Six this season.

Kilkenny Seconds - Hazel Cleere, Jill O’Keeffe, Ava Murphy, Andrea Parr, Hannah Bailey, Millie Gilsenan, Maggie Byrne, Iseult Cahill, Nessa Farrell (C), Faye Reynolds, Emma Shepard, Mia Duggan, Catriona Twomey, Orla Shields, Louise Kenny.

Coach - Sue Shirley.

Leinster Hockey League Division Nine- Kilkenny 3 Mullingar 0

The Kilkenny Thirds team made the perfect start to the 2024/2025 season, opening their account with a solid win over Mullingar Firsts in Kilkenny College.

The team got off to a great start with midfielders Joanna Morrissey, Aoife Kelly and Emily Ryan proving too fast for Mullingar. The second quarter saw Kilkenny score through Caoimhe O’Connell following a quick with a quick Kathy Walsh pass.

Mullingar contested the score quickly, pressing on the Kilkenny defence, but were unsuccessful as goalkeeper Laura Lanigan deflected any shots on goal with the help of her defence Milly Harwood, Katie Cullen, Gráinne Wall, Emma Moore and Lisa Delaney. Following a short corner, Joanna Morrissey scored. The line brought an injection of energy from Jean Butler, Anna Buckley and Ava Phelan and a goal from Nicola Costello which ultimately led to a win for Kilkenny 3-0.

Paddy Dalton’s squad look forward to taking on Genesis Fourths this Saturday in Kilkenny College.

Kilkenny Thirds - Kathy Walsh, Laura Lanigan, Milly Harwood, Katie Cullen, Lisa Delaney, Grainne Wall, Emma Moore, Aoife Kelly, Joanna Morrissey, Emily Ryan, Jean Butler, Nicola Costello, Caoimhe O’Connell, Ava Phelan, Anna Buckley.

Coach - Paddy Dalton.