U-16s out-pointed
Second team defeated by Lilywhites
DEAN GOODISON in St. Patrick’s Park KILDARE 0-13 WEXFORD 0-4
KILDARE PROVED too strong for the Wexford second string in the Leinster Under-16 ‘B’ camogie championship in St. Patrick’s Park recently.
The hosts came into the game with an impressive victory over Meath in their opening encounter but found a few Kildare weapons a little too hot to handle in their second outing.
That’s probably the biggest issue for a second string team in a group that contains the first fifteens from their opponents.
There’s a good, consistent level throughout this Wexford side but they will come up against top line players.
Kildare had at least a couple of them, with Michelle Brogan and Allie McGrath proving a handful throughout the match. Unfortunately for the visitors, Brogan seemed to badly injury an arm in the second-half, with the game delayed for ten minutes, but McGrath took up the slack.
Wexford found their opponents’ speed and power in the middle third tough to contend with, but they did battle all the way to the end.
Despite points from Kildare’s deadly duo, Bronagh Kenny converted a free to keep Wexford in touch early on.
Against the breeze, scoring chances were few and far between for John O’Rourke’s side, but they were able to repel most of their opponents’ advances, with Keeva Steadman excellent between the sticks.
However, McGrath was picking off some sensational Kildare points and she ended the half with five as her side moved 0-8 to 0-1 up.
After McGrath added another point early in the second-half, Leah Furlong went on a superb run through the middle and notched Wexford’s second score.
Owing in large part to Brogan’s injury, there was no further score until McGrath made it 0-10 to 0-2 in the 50th minute.
Wexford pushed for a critical goal but their opponents stood firm in defence.
Kenny and Chloe Murphy did add frees in the time remaining, but there was never any indication that Kildare were going to let their lead slip.
Wexford will be back on the road to face neighbours Carlow, whenever the action resumes. They will end their round-robin clashes against Westmeath and will be hoping to do enough to earn a cup semi-final spot.
Wexford: Keeva Steadman; Megan Murray-Byrne, Kennedy Cullen,
Nicola Corrigan; Leah Furlong (0-1), Demi Byrne (capt.), Sophie O’Leary; Chloe Murphy (0-1 free), Sarah Walsh; Niamh Hearne, Rebecca Codd, Chloe McGrath; Bronagh Kenny (0-2 frees), Aoife Farrell, Katie Kearns. Subs. - Emma Atkins-Quigley for Byrne (15), Eimear Byrne for Kearns (38), Sadhbh Buttle for McGrath (38), Gráinne O’Neill for Farrell (53), Aisling Goggins for Codd (60+5), also Annie Davis, Cliona McCarthy, Isobel English, Lauren Smyth, Jacqui Kehoe.
Kildare: Eimear Stirling; Fasha Nic Chonchradha, Laoise Mimnagh, Chloe O’Gorman; Áine Mernagh, Méabh O’Donovan, Shauna Dunne; Clara Reilly (0-1), Michelle Brogan (0-2); Allie McGrath (0-8, 3 frees, 1 ‘45, 1 pen.), Aibhe Connolly, Molly Berns (0-1); Nikki O’Keeffe, Orlaith Delany, Almha O’Rourke. Subs. - Julie Kennedy (0-1) for Dunne, inj. (10), Niamh Jenkins for O’Keeffe (31), Méabh Maguire for Brogan, inj. (48), Derbhla Darcy for Connolly (60).
Referee: Paul Hunston (Kilkenny).