Kilkenny edge out tireless Limerick

Limerick 0-13
Kilkenny 2-10

By Tom Clancy in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr.

Limerick came agonisingly close to the shock of the weekend as they fell just short to All Ireland holders Kilkenny. The Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division One quarter-final, played in Birr, was eventually wrestled the way of the Cats, thanks to a late flurry of scores.

For Pat Ryan’s Limerick, they were unable to hold on the narrow lead they had at the first half water break, half time and at the second half water-break.

Caoimhe Costello once again top scored but this week she was helped by six others on the scoresheet.

Limerick found themselves 0-4 to 0-2 to the good at the first half water-break, with a trio of Costello frees added to by Rebecca Delee. Kilkenny kicked up a gear and scored their first goal from close range through Mary O’Connell. But Limerick fought back with Megan O’Mara and Sophie O’Callaghan firing over.

At the interval, Limerick were a point ahead, 0-8 to 1-4.

This lead was maintained by the 45 minute mark, with Costelloe, Aine Cunningham and Niamh Ryan cancelling out efforts from Denise Gaule (two frees) and Miriam Walsh. Aoife Norris denied Aine Cunningham a goal as Limerick looked threatening up front.

But disaster struck on 50 minutes as O’Connell found her second major. She finished at the second attempt after a brilliant save from Laura O’Neill. The Cats got a real scare as Limerick showed their true form after a disappointing loss to Galway last weekend.

In the end, Limerick were left to rue a trio of goal chances missed and also 10 wides, as they fell just short of the defending All-Ireland champions and league finalists from 2016 – 2019.

Ryan will hope to re-ignite the work-rate and quality play seen for the Championship in the coming weeks.


Scorers:
Kilkenny: Denise Gaule 0-6 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ‘45’); Mary O’Connell 2-0; Laura Murphy 0-2; Miriam Walsh, Katie Nolan 0-1 each.

Limerick: Caoimhe Costello 0-7(0-1 ‘45’, 0-5 free);  Rebecca Delee, Megan O’Mara, Sophie O’Callaghan, Áine Cunningham, Niamh Ryan, Dearbhla Egan 0-1 each.

Teams:
Limerick: Laura O’Neill (Na Piarsaigh); Marian Quaid (Bruff), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Róisín Ambrose (Newcastle West); Mairead Ryan (Clooney Quin), Judith Mulcahy (Ahane), Niamh Ryan (Bruff); Megan O’Mara (Monaleen), Karen O’Leary © (Newcastle West); Deborah Murphy (Newcastle West), Sophie O’Callaghan (Adare), Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West); Áine Cunningham (Killeedy), Caoimhe Costello (Adare), Caoimhe Lyons (Monaleen)

Subs: Neamh Curtin (Ballybrown) for Megan O’Mara (46), Aisling Scanlan (Killeedy) Rebecca Delee (49), Dearbhla Egan (Crecora) for Sophie  O’Callaghan (53).

Kilkenny: Aoife Norris; Michelle Teehan, Collette Dormer, Miriam Bambrick; Kellyann Doyle, Grace Walsh, Meighan Farrell; Niamh Deely, Laura Murphy; Denise Gaule, Mary O’Connell, Aoife Prendergast; Katie Nolan, Miriam Walsh, Aoife Doyle.

Subs: Steffi Fitzpatrick for Aoife Prendergast (41),  Lydia Fitzpatrick for Grace Walsh (41), Laura Norris for Laura Murphy (49), Sarah Walsh for Mary O’Connell (51).

Referee: John Dermody (Westmeath).