Kilkenny make flying start to camogie league with victory over All-Ireland champs

Kilkenny made the long journey west to Duggan Park in Ballinasloe to face the reigning All-Ireland champions Galway in the opening round of the Centra Division 1 Camogie League and what unfolded was anything but a routine league encounter.

In a pulsating, high-octane clash both sides served up an absolute thriller.

The drama began before a sliotar was even thrown in. Misery struck the Kilkenny camp during the warm-up when Tiffanie Fitzgerald was ruled out through injury. A late reshuffle saw Caoimhe Keher Murtagh handed the nod and what an
inspired decision that would prove to be.

Galway exploded from the blocks. Just 12 seconds were on the clock when Aoife Donohue - the 2025 PwC Players’ Player of the Year tore through the Kilkenny defence and buried a stunning goal past a helpless Sinéad Farrell.

It was the worst possible start for the Cats, but their response spoke volumes.

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Kilkenny gradually settled, their tackling ferocious and their work rate immense. Points from Aoife Prendergast, Laura Greene, Sarah Barcoe and Asha McHardy hauled them back into contention by the end of the first quarter.

Prendergast will still be wondering how a 24th-minute effort somehow flashed agonisingly across the Galway goal line without nestling in the net.

Kilkenny’s relentless hunger and fierce intensity had the champions on the back foot.

As half-time loomed and the Cats held a slender advantage, Asha McHardy tried her luck with an ambitious strike from the sideline toward goal.

Galway goalkeepetr Fiona Ryan put the hurl up to bat the ball out but the sliotar nestled in the net - referee Donnacha O’Callaghan sounded the whistle for the break, a perfectly timed goal that sent Kilkenny into the dressing room four points clear.

On the balance of play, it was no more than they deserved after a superb first-half display, Galway 1-2, Kilkenny 1-6.

The second half was a battle in every blade of grass. Carrie Dolan and Aoife Prendergast traded points as Galway fought to reassert control.

By the 40th minute, just a single point separated the sides after Niamh McPeake split the posts to leave it Galway 1-7, Kilkenny 1-8.

Kilkenny briefly lost their shape in the early exchanges after the restart an understandable dip after their relentless first-half intensity and Galway capitalised through Niamh Niland, Carrie Dolan and Allanah Kelly.

Every time the champions threatened, Kilkenny found an answer. Prendergast was ice-cool from placed balls, while McHardy continued to torment from play.

Then came the defining moment.

The Kilkenny management pushed Caoimhe Keher Murtagh into the edge of the square, and the Rower-Inistioge sharpshooter made her presence felt.

A perfectly delivered ball bounced invitingly in front of her,  she turned her marker Roisín Black with purpose, powered through on goal and unleashed a bullet past Fiona Ryan.

It was a finish of the highest quality, and it pushed the Cats four points clear, 2-9 to 1-8.

Galway pressed hard in the closing stages, but they could not pierce a disciplined and defiant Kilkenny defence.

Sinéad Farrell, making her debut, had earlier produced a crucial first half save that proved vital, while debutants Rachel
Phelan and Angela Carroll played with a composure that belied their inexperience.

This was a polished and purposeful Kilkenny performance a world away from the tentative start to last year’s league campaign.

Confidence coursed through the team, and there was a steely resilience about them that will have caught the attention of
every contender.

Manager Jimmy Meagher and his backroom team will be thrilled not just with the three points secured on enemy territory, but with the manner of the victory.

Though Kilkenny formed a respectful guard of honour before the game in tribute to the champions, that was where the pleasantries ended.

Apart from the good performances from the debutants already mentioned, there were strong displays all over the field.

Michelle Teehan and Niamh Deely were outstanding in the full-back line, leading from the front.

Further up the pitch, Katie Nolan and Sarah Barcoe were nuisances in the forward line, harrying defenders and
creating space that kept the champions under sustained pressure.

From first whistle to last, the Cats played with hunger, belief and bite and they have firmly laid down a marker ahead of next Saturday’s mouth-watering home clash with neighbours Tipperary.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny: Aoife Prendergast (0-7, 6f 1x45), Asha McHardy (1-2), Caoimhe Keher Murtagh (1-0) Laura Greene, Sarah Barcoe (0-1 each)

Galway: Carrie Dolan (0-6, 6f), Aoife Donohoe (1-1), Niamh Nilan (0-3), Niamh Mallon, Niamh McPeake, Alannah Kelly (0-1 each).

Galway: Fiona Ryan, Rachel Hannify, Roisin Black, Katie Manning, Alannah Kelly, Ciara Hickey, Katie Anna Porter, Jennifer Hughes, Carrie Dolan, Niamh Mallon, Niamh McPeake, Aoife Donohoe, Mairead Dillon, Caoimhe Kelly, Niamh Niland.

Subs used: Aoibhe Carr, Tegan Canning, Niamh McInerney, Shannon Corcoran.

Kilkenny: Sinead Farrell, Rachel Phelan, Michelle Teehan, Angela Carroll, Caoimhe Dowling, Niamh Deely, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Ava Brett, Laura Greene, Asha McHardy, Steffi Fitzgerald, Sarah Barcoe, Rachel Dowling, Aoife Prendergast, Katie Nolan.

Subs Used: Emma Shortall, Claire Doheny.

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)