Clinical Cats really made themselves at home with solid win over Skerries in Leinster Hockey League

The Kilkenny ladies first team gave a top class performance when they got the better of Skerries in a tough encounter in Dublin.

It proved to be a very physical battle with both midfields trying to impose their dominance. The opening goal came on the stroke of half-time when Sue Shirley slotted home a wonderful drag flick, giving the Cats a marginal lead as they headed into the second half.

With their wealth of experience, midfield duo Sinead Connery and Linda Caulfield managed to stabilise and create a lot of attacking play for the travelling side.

Kilkenny piled on the pressure early in the second half and won themselves a series of short corners and eventually Connery converted the second goal of the game.

With the comfort of a two goal lead, Kilkenny began to take control of the game. After a series of intricate passing between Lily Grace and Ally Carter, the ball then found itself in the attacking circle. Sara Browne slipped it to Gemma O’Dwyer, who bagged Kilkenny’s third goal of the day.

To their credit, Skerries never gave up the fight. The home side managed a breakaway counter-attack, but Kilkenny goalkeeper Doireann McCurdy stood firm and made some remarkable saves, keeping a clean sheet for the Kilkenny side.

The solid defence from Kilkenny managed to work the ball around the back, which helped to create space and opportunities to move forward. Ava Murphy slotted home the fourth goal from a rebounding shot, putting Kilkenny four goals to the good.

With a matter of seconds left on the clock, the Cats won themselves a final short corner of the game which was calmly tucked into the bottom of the Skerries net by Sara Browne.

It was a clinical performance from Kilkenny, who went home happy with their 5-0 win.

Kilkenny will host near neighbours Wexford on Saturday in Kilkenny College at 12pm. All support is greatly appreciated for what promises to be a fantastic game.

Kilkenny Firsts: Doireann McCurdy, Niamh Spratt O’Shea, Ciara Clarke, Sarah Wilson, Sinead Connery, Linda Caulfield, Megan Sherwood, Paula Farrell, Gemma O’Dwyer, Laura Walshe, Michaela Sanderson, Ally Carter, Sue Shirley, Sara Browne, Ava Murphy, Lily Grace.

Coach: Gavin Bourke.