After the three group games Kilkenny finished in third position finishing level on points with second only losing out on goal difference.
Kilkenny 1
Louth 1
In their opening game of the competition the conditions played a major factor as neither side could really get a grasp of the wind with both sides starting off the competition with a draw.
It was the ideal start for Kilkenny in the tournament as they opened the scoring inside three minutes when a Lavena Fogarty effort flew into the top corner. A number of other chances were created but the Louth defence and the swirling breeze kept the ball out. As the half drew to a close Louth took the momentum and nearly leveled but Alison Walsh stood strong in the net to keep her side ahead.
After the break neither side could create any meaningful chance. It looked like the Marble city side would take all three points but Louth had other ideas as they leveled with five minutes to go.
Kilkenny 0
South Tipperary 1
A goal just before halftime saw their neighbors take all three points in this derby.
After a strong opening ten minutes Kilkenny finally threatened the Tipp goal but couldn't break through .
Just as it looked like the sides would go in level at the break a mix up at the back saw Tipp take the lead.
This goal saw Kilkenny take control for the majority of the second half as they created a number of chances. The first of which was an effort from range that flew narrowly wide. They then started to empty the bench but no matter what they threw as the opposition defence they stood strong. In the final attack of the game a cross come shot from the wing clipped the crossbar as it flew over.
Kilkenny 2
Mayo 1
It was the Brooke Quirke show as a goal either side of the break saw her side win.
It was all Kilkenny from the opening play of this game as within five minutes they had made the Mayo goalkeeper produce three outstanding saves. As the half grew on the black and amber piled on the pressure and eventually Brooke Quirke managed to open the scoring after some fine team play. This left her team one up at the break.
Once the whistle and Mayo made changes the game became a battle this was before a mistake at the back led to a penalty which Quirke duly coveted.
It was a massive defensive effort in the final ten minutes as they kept the opposition out until five minutes to go.
This victory was well deserved as they produced some fine football from start to finish.
Wednesday
Gaynor Shield Quarter Final
Kilkenny 2 Pens 5
South Belfast 2 Pens 6
After a strong opening half from Kilkenny, penalties were the only thing that could separate these two sides.
It was the southeast side who controlled this knockout games from the opening whistle creating a number of early chances. This pressure finally paid off thirteen minutes in whe Emma Walsh found the back of the net. Within six minutes the lead was doubled when Lavena Fogarty found herself in space to finish well. The side in yellow kept control of this tie till the half time whistle.
Within four minutes of the restart the gap had been narrowed by South Belasst when Abby McGowna found the back of the net. As the half went on and tensions began to rise it was the northern side head coach Aaron Agnew who was given his marching orders. This seemed to kick his side into action as they had leveled the tie five minutes later though Sophie Nelson.
This meant the tie would be decided by a dreaded penalty shoot out.
Kilkenny penalties : Emma Walsh ( Scored)
Lavena Fogarty ( Missed)
Mia Van Eeden ( Scored)
Alison Walsh ( Missed)
Jenna Trait ( Scored)
Katie Mullins ( Missed)
Thursday
Kilkenny 1
Carlow 0
What a win for the side in yellow as they got the better of there neighbors by a solitary first half goal.
From the outset it was Calow who took control firing an effort wide inside three minutes. Moments later a second effort narrowly flew wide of the upright . It was then against the run of play on the that Kilkenny took the lead when Aoibhe Meegan fired into the opposition net. Neither side managed to create any noteworthy chances up until half time.
Once the game restarted and legs began to tire the game opened up with Carlow creating a number of chances but they couldn't break down a resolute KK rearguard. Up the other end the Marble city side had a free kick that flew over the bar. The final effort in this tie came on the break away but the Carlow goalie managed to turn away a goalbound effort.
Friday
Kilkenny 1 Pens ( 5
Longford 1 Pens (4)
Penalties ensured a 19th place finish for Kilkenny in the final match of the Gaynor cup Friday morning.
From the opening whistle in this tie and using the elements in there favour Kilkenny took early control. Inside ten minutes they had created a number of chances but were well thwarted by the opposition defence . While using the elements in the opening half they went on to create a number of chances from corners but unfortunately they couldn't capitalize. As the half drew to a close they launched a number of attacks on the opposition goal but excellent defending and last ditch saves kept the scories level at the break.
Once this final placement game resumed chances became tougher to carve out for both sides as both defences were coming out on top. With ten minutes to go it looked like we would be heading to penalties but Longford had other ideas as they broke away to take the lead. This spurred Kilkenny on and with four minutes to go up stepped Brooke Quirke to send the tie to penalties.
It was Brooke that stepped up first, slotting her effort away. The next four penalties were all flawless as Emma Walsh, Aoibhe Meegan, Ruby Collins and Mia Van Eeden all converted there efforts to send their side home victorious.
Kilkenny Squad.: Ellen Butler Evergreen, Mollie Rose Keegan Evergreen, Alison Walsh Freebooters, Katie Mullins Deen Celtic (C) Mia Van Eeden Freebooters, Emma Walsh Freebooters, Ruby Collins Thomastown, Brooke Quirke Evergreen, Lavena Fogarty Freebooters, Ellen Nugent Thomastown, Sarah O’ Gorman Deen Celtic, Katie Condon Freebooters, Isabelle Murphy Spa United, Emily Twyford Stoneyford, Jenna Trait Evergreen, Leah Croke East End, Andrea Roche Evergreen, Lauren Daly Freebooters, Aoibhe Meegan Evergreen Emma Larkin Evergreen.
Manager Alan Condon.
Coaches Mary Condon, Breda Hearne.
Physio Laoise Nolan
Kit Dolores Walsh.
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