First Intermediate loss
WEXFORD INTERMEDIATES got off to a blistering start but couldn’t hold on as All-Ireland champions Kilkenny inflicted the first defeat on the second string in Division 2 of the Littlewoods National Camogie League at Tom Ryall Park, Kilmanagh, on Sunday.
The Slaneysiders led by 2-1 to nil in the opening ten minutes but couldn’t sustain that level of play and eventually the hosts, who are now top of the table with three straight wins, took over with a powerful second-half display.
Aoife Sheil was the in-form forward in the opening few minutes as her point and brace of goals helped the visitors into the perfect start. If they could have kept their copybook clean at the other end the result could have been so different, but Mags Fennelly nipped in to net and get Kilkenny back into the contest.
Still, that confidence boost didn’t immediately materialise as Aideen Brennan pointed a free and Niamh Walsh split the posts from play to put the purple and gold 2-3 to 1-0 ahead after the opening quarter.
However, when Orla Hanrick nailed three dead-balls in a row and Mia Griffin pointed, the gap was suddenly down to two. Aideen Brennan was able to pop over a ‘45 on the stroke of half-time to ensure that Wexford went in at the interval leading by 2-4 to 1-4.
Kilkenny put their foot on the gas after the re-start and a brace from Hanrick, plus a Mia Griffin point, brought them level for the first time. Róisín Kelly put the visitors back ahead with a dead-ball but Catherine Murphy immediately responded for the hosts.
Ella Moore put Kilkenny in front for the first time but a brace from Róisín Kelly ensured that Wexford went into the final quarter leading by 2-7 to 1-9.
From there it all went wrong as Fennelly and Griffin picked off points and Niamh Bambrick secured victory with a late major.
Next up for Wexford is a trip to Carlow on Sunday. It’s a key game for the Intermediates with a victory necessary if they are to realistically keep their hopes of a league semi-final spot alive heading into their final game in Derry.
Wexford: Niamh Potter; Nancy Dunphy, Marie Claire Morrissey, Aoife McCrea; Michelle Harding, Niamh Walsh (0-1), Chloe Cash; Eimear Nolan, Aisling Cronin; Aideen Brennan (0-2, 1 free, 1 ‘45), Shauna Kelly, Róisín Kelly (0-3, 2 frees); Mairéad Sheehan, Aoife Sheil (2-1), Margaret Byrne. Subs. - Farren Byrne for McCrea, Deirdre McMahon for Dunphy, Katie Gallagher for Sheehan, also Mary Cummins.
Kilkenny: Aoife Norris; Danielle Kenny, Bridget Kilbane, Ailish Butler; Maureen Walsh, Eilish Regan, Ciara Murphy; Ella Moore (0-1), Mary O’Connell; Marguerite Hoynes, Mia Griffin (0-3), Orla Hanrick (0-5, 3 frees, 2 ‘45s); Mags Fennelly (1-1), Catherine Murphy (0-1), Christine Lyng. Subs. - Niamh Bambrick (1-0) for Murphy, Mariga Nolan for Walsh.
Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).