Strong finish helps Kilkenny get past Wexford challenge in Under-16 Championship

The refixed first round of the Leinster Championship was played out in excellent conditions in St Patrick’s Park in Enniscorthy in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Wexford had their first score on the board with a point from the impressive Ellen O’Leary. Kilkenny responded with a point from Sophie McCabe, after Roisin Gibbons made an excellent catch from a puck out and placed it into McCabe in the corner. McCabe finished from a tight angle.

Wexford’s response was impressive. They scored four unanswered points; one from Aoife McDonald and three from Anna Roche (one free). Kilkenny’s Ruby Norris kept the scoreboard ticking over with a well-taken individual point but Wexford responded again with points from Anna Roche and Ellen O’Leary (2).

However, it was Kilkenny who now stepped it up a gear and finished the half stronger. Megan Harding shooting from the placed ball was very accurate as she added a free and a 45 to a point from play before half-time (Wexford 0-9, Kilkenny 0-5).

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The Kilkenny girls opened the second half brighter and determined. Four substitutions were made at half time - Dearbhla Ryan came in for Rebecca Smith, Noa Bambrick for Ruby Norris, Meabh Kenny replaced Kate Dalton while Robyn Corcoran came in for Ciara Joyce. These subs proved the difference in the second half.

Dearbhla Ryan made her presence felt with a well taken point from a tight angle. Leyla Ahern followed this up with a point from a free and Megan Harding added a point of her own.

Wexford’s defence then started to get on top and worked the ball into their forwards. The sharp moving Ellen O’Leary scored two points from play, before Anna Roche and Ailishe Doyle struck points.

Wexford’s third quarter was impressive but it was Kilkenny who stepped it up a gear. Kilkenny worked the ball back into the forwards again and Dearbhla Ryan doubled on a loose ball which came out of a ruck and it flew into the corner of the net. Goal for Kilkenny!

Kilkenny were now on a roll and points followed from Bambrick and Harding (free). The Wexford forwards were under pressure from the Kilkenny backs, as Isabel Carroll made a super interception catch to stop Wexford’s Anna Roche going through and moments later, Robyn Corcoran also made an impressive catch in the full back line, passed it to the alert Isabel Carroll who cleared it up into the forwards. Meabh Kenny in the half forward line was strong and accurate as she added two points to Kilkenny’s tally.

At midfield, Roisin Gibbons was having a superb game with wonderful catches and picking her team mates out with accurate passes. Wexford made a substitution by bringing Eirinn Gahan on for Lucy Kearns in the final few minutes of the game.
Kilkenny’s Rachael Duff made a direct run for the goal and placed the ball over the bar and the hardworking Megan Harding finished off Kilkenny’s scoring with a wonderful point in the 60th minute.

The passing and team play from Sophie McCabe, Megan Harding and Meabh Kenny was a pleasure to watch in the second half and the ever dependable Rachel Murphy, Alice Maher and Isabel Carrol in the backs was thrilling. Kilkenny’s five-point win secured the team’s place in the Leinster final.

Teams and scorers

Kilkenny - Megan Harding (0-6, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45); Dearbhla Ryan (1-1); Noa Bambrick, Meabh Kenny (0-2 each); Ruby Norris, Leyla Ahern, Sophie McCabe, Rachael Duff (0-1 each).

Wexford - Ellen O’Leary (0-5); Anna Roche (0-5, 1 free); Aoife McDonald, Ailishe Doyle (0-1 each).

Kilkenny - Rachel Tennyson; Sarah Buggy, Ciara Joyce, Alice Maher; Elizabeth Sida, Katie Mulcahy, Isabel Carroll; Roisin Gibbons, Katie Harnett; Kate Dalton, Megan Harding, Ruby Norris; Leyla Ahern, Sophie McCabe, Rebecca Smith.

Subs: Heidi Culleton, Rachel Murphy, Robyn Corcoran, Rachael Duff, Amy Walsh, Noa Bambrick, Meabh Kenny, Dearbhla Ryan, Sinead Cash, Saidhbh Farrell.

Wexford - Mary Doran; Ruby Roche, Brady Breslin, Doireann Doyle; Sophie Fahey, Lucy Kearns, Amelia Murphy; Niamh O’Brien, Faye Kelly; Ellen O’Leary, Anna Roche, Aoibhe Jordan; Maria Gilbane, Cara O’ Shaughnessy, Mekdes Harte.

Subs: Ruby Shiggins, Eirinn Gahan, Rosanna King, Aoife McDonald, Katie O’Sullivan, Alicia Corrigan, Ailishe Doyle.