Kilkenny Minors dig deep to see off Dublin threat

A powerful first half helped the Kilkenny minors book their place in the Leinster B final - but they needed strength to hold off a fast-finishing Dublin.

Opening with the elements the Cats were confident of a good start in Thomastown, but were reeling when Dublin rattled the net within seconds of the throw-in.

The hosts shrugged it off and replied in smart fashion Eibhlin Thompson’s puck-out going all the way to the opposite 45m line, where Ella Walton picked it up and sent it over the bar. They kicked on from here, Tara Cody hitting a brace (one free) to level the game.

Dublin’s puck-out tactics meant Kilkenny lost possession in the middle, putting pressure on their backs, but Sinead Jones won the ball from a ruck and brought it out to Jane O’Shea who got the clearance away.

Chloe Teehan and Maria Ryan, both free players for Kilkenny as Dublin played two extra at the back of their defence against the wind, had plenty of space in which to roam. When Kilkenny won a free on their own 65 yard line Teehan stepped up and fired it over.

Ella Walton’s move to centre-forward also proved very beneficial as she gathered a Shauna Mahony pass and paused only to rattle the net.

Kilkenny continued to fight hard for every ruck in the middle of the field, with Aoibheann and Lilly Ryan tirelessly working for possession. Dublin had the final say of the half though, hitting some late points through Jane O’Shea to cut the gap to six at the break (1-9 to 1-3).

Kilkenny’s starting 15 stayed as they were in the second half, with Ella Walton staying at centre-forward and Shauna Mahony playing in the corner. Tara Cody was excellent on frees as she hit the sweet spot from her first attempt.

As the wind picked up the second half was a real battle for Kilkenny, who struggled to win puck-outs as Dublin got on top. Sinead Henderson and Ciara Nolan led the way with great work, while Ava Sutton and Ella Maher proved able replacements when they came into the game.

As the pressure grew Kilkenny played with a seventh defender. Together Mia Dunne, Chloe Teehan, Maria Ryan, Jane O’Shea and Sinead Jones excelled as they held the Dubs at bay.

Trailing by a point Dublin went for broke late on, sending the ball into the danger zone, but Kilkenny’s goalkeeper Eibhlin Thompson remained strong and cleared her lines.

Kilkenny – Eibhlin Thompson, Maria Ryan, Sinead Jones, Mia Dunne, Jane O’Shea, Chloe Teehan, Sinead Henderson, Aoibheann Ryan, Lilly Ryan, Tara Cody, Shauna Mahony, Ciara Nolan, Keelin Byrne, Sophie Roberts, Ella Walton.

Subs: Orla Duggan, Caitlin Grant, Ava Sutton (captain), Niamh Cleere, Ellie Fenlon, Keelin Henebry, Caroline Coughlan, Ella Maher, Fauve Walsh, Naomi Kerr, Megan Trait.

Dublin – Mia Clarkin, Amy Keogh, Lucy Brady, Aoife Reynolds, Ella Sliney, Emma Ryan, Aoibheann O’Gorman, Sadhbh Lynch, Leah Coburn, Sinead Ni Bhaoighill, Ruth Cosgrave, Freya Lilly Egan, Ella Jenkins, Sadhbh McGeough, Clodagh Glennon.

Subs: Medhbh Ni Cleirigh, Katie Mai Leonard, Lilly Coughlan, Chloe Kearns, Kay Ryan, Lauren Haugh, Jodie Doyle, Rebekah Verling, Niamh O’Brien, Grace Hughes, Molly Crowther, Sadbh McCann, Clodagh Hogan, Anna Magee, Nabby Ryan.