Valient Derry lose out to Kilkenny

Valient Derry lose out to Kilkenny

Only 16 of  Derry’s 29 players were available to travel the four hour journey to represent their County against All Ireland Junior Champions, Kilkenny, at Clogh in North Kilkenny on Sunday (17th Feb 08).

The conditions were very good, with the ground being just a little bit soft underfoot.

From the start of the game the pace was fast throughout, with Killkenny getting their first point in just 30 secs,  and another in under 3 mins, getting into their stride the Derry girls responded well and after 25mins of play had got well on top, scoring a goal and six points to Killkenny’s three points. With half time closing in Killikenny managed to reduce the score line by scoring a further goal followed by a quick point, Derry were then reduced to 14 players for a sinbin offence almost on the half time whistle, leaving the teams going In at half time 1-6 to 1-4 still in Derry’s favour.

Coming out in the second half, a player down, Derry still managed to take the first point of the second half and for the nine minutes remaining of their sinbin refused to let Kilkenny capitalise on their extra player. Then tragedy struck, Louise Glass who had been very effective in midfield for Derry, received a serious blow to the head, leaving her concussed and having to be taken to hospital. When play resumed the game swung in favour of Killkenny who scored four unanswered points. Derry added to their tally by scoring another point before a final surge from Kilkenny resulting in another goal, this time from a penalty and two points from play leaving the final score Killkenny 2-10 Derry 1-08. This was an exciting game and both teams should come away from this fixture with a positive attitude.

The Derry Team
Breigeen Cassidy, Emma Kelly, Clare Lagan, Nuala Doherty, Dervla McMaster, Kathy Conway (0-1) Aisling Moore, Louise Glass, Clodagh Gormley, Julie McLaughlin (0-2), Shauna Vallelly (0-2), Shauna McCallion (0-2), Natasha McEldowney, Aine McCloskey (1-01) and Mairead McCann    Subs- Joanne Devine.