Limerick senior camogie side suffer heavy defeat to Kilkenny in All-Ireland championship

LIMERICK have suffered a disappointing 1-19 to 0-4 defeat to Kilkenny in the first round of the Glen Dimplex Senior All-Ireland camogie Championship this afternoon at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.

The game never got going for the home side who didn't register any score from play with the side suffering from the dismissal of stalwart player Caoimhe Costelloe. 

The Treaty women now face another tough task next Saturday, June 1 when they travel to Waterford. 

Kilkenny showed their quality as their opened the scoring after seven minutes of play with a Aoife Doyle point. This scoring continued in the opening quarter of the game as the 'Cats' pushed on with quick points from Miriam Walsh and Katie Nolan as captain Aoife Prendegast slotted over two long-range frees to keep them in the lead 0-6 to Limerick's no score. 

Limerick struggled to retain possession as they passed the sliothar back to their opposition on multiple occasions before a Dearbhla Egan injury stopped the flow of the game for a period of time as she went off with a broken collarbone.

The Treaty sides first score of the game came from the ever accurate Caoimhe Costelloe free after 25 minutes but Kilkenny pushed on with scores from Katie Nolan and Aoife Doyle to finish off the half 0-10 to 0-2 ahead. 

Things did not improve for Limerick after the break as Kilkenny settled in to cruise control from the off with three frees from Aoife Prendergast.

These scores were followed by a solo goal from substitute Steffi Fitzgerald, who had only taken to the field of play moments before, to leave Kilkenny 1-13 to 0-2 after 40 minutes. 

A second yellow card for Limerick's Caoimhe Costelloe took the wind out of their sails completely as Rebecca Delee took over the free duties scoring two points and capping off Limerick's tally for the day. 

Kilkenny's substitutes made a huge impact off the bench with Asha McHardy and Fitzgerald slotting over points to give the visiting side the 1-19 to 0-4 win. 

SCORERS LIMERICK: Caoimhe Costelloe 0-2 (0-2 frees), Rebecca Delee 0-2 (0-2 frees) KILKENNY: Aoife Prendegast 0-5 (0-5 frees), Katie Nolan 0-4 (0-1 free),  Steffi Fitzgerald 1-0, Aoife Doyle 0-3, Asha McHardy 0-2, Julianne Malone 0-2, Miriam Bambrick, Miriam Walsh, Laura Murphy 0-1 each

LIMERICK: Ciara Mulqueen (Crecora), Teresa Dore (JVC) (Patrickswell), Marian Quaid (Bruff), Cliodhna Ryan (Doon), Ciara O’Riordan (Blackrock Effin), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Sophie O’Callaghan (Adare), Orlaith Kelleher (Croagh/Kilfinny), Dearbhla Egan (Crecora), Ailbhe Larkin (Mungret St Paul's), Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West), Stephanie Woulfe (Templeglantine), Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare), Lizanna Boylan (Na Piarsaigh), Caoimhe Lyons (Monaleen).

SUBS: Poppy Giltenane (Adare) for D Egan (15 minutes), Aine Reynolds (Ahane) for C Ryan (Half-Time), Aoife Nelligan (Monaleen) for C O'Riordan (Half-Time), Laura Fennelly (C) (Cappamore) for S Woulfe (47 minutes)

KILKENNY: Aoife Norris, Michelle Teehan, Grace Walsh, Katie Byrne, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Niamh Deely, Miriam Bambrick, Laura Greene, Laura Murphy, Katie Nolan, Katie Power, Aoife Doyle, Julianne Malone, Miriam Walsh, Aoife Prendergast.

SUBS: Sarah Barcoe for M Walsh (26 minutes), Steffi Fitzgerald for L Greene (43 minutes), Asha McHardy for A Prendergast (47 minutes), Laura Norris for K Byrne (52 minutes), Sophie O'Dwyer for M Teehan (55 minutes)

REFEREE: Cathal McAllister (Cork)