Dominant Win in Opening Cup Match for Womens XV

Paul Cusack Cup 1st Round

Kilkenny 44-05 Navan

By Marianne Jordan

The Kilkenny Women took on old rivals Navan on Sunday at home in Foulkstown under excellent warm and sunny skies. The stage was set for an intense battle, and the game did not disappoint, keeping supporters on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

From the opening whistle, Kilkenny showed their intent. The first scrum of the game demonstrated their power, and a big kick from Captain Megan Callahan down the wing set an early attacking tone. The visitors however struck first, working their way down the wing with determination and securing the first try of the match within the opening ten minutes. The early score put Navan ahead 5-0.

Kilkenny responded with aggression and precision, their forwards making strong carries to gain territory. Megan Callahan took advantage of the calm weather to deploy an effective kicking game, putting Navan under continuous pressure. Kilkenny was soon awarded a penalty at the halfway line, and Emily Kenny confidently opted for the posts. With a powerful strike, she sent the ball soaring through, getting Kilkenny on the scoreboard and narrowing the deficit to 5-3.

Tina Wright played a crucial role in disrupting Navan’s momentum, applying relentless pressure at the breakdown and securing a turnover. Though a forward pass momentarily halted Kilkenny’s progress, they remained undeterred, continuing to batter away at the Navan defense.

The breakthrough came with a massive scrum from Kilkenny. Anita St. Ledger delivered a pinpoint skip pass to Emily Kenny, who carved through Navan’s line, gaining valuable meters. A swift, well-timed pass found Eve Cronin, who sprinted past defenders and touched down right under the posts. With the conversion secured, Kilkenny took the lead at 10-5.

Navan attempted to regroup and push out of their own 22, but the formidable black defensive wall of Kilkenny held firm. Their efforts to gain ground were repeatedly stifled, forcing errors and turnovers. Kilkenny seized the momentum once again when Caroline Quirke capitalized on a well-executed three-phase play off a scrum to dive over the try line, extending the lead to 15-5.

The home side’s relentless attack continued as quick hands and sharp passing set up Eve Cronin for her second try of the match. Sprinting down the wing from halfway, she weaved past six Navan defenders who were beginning to tire. The scoreboard now read 20-5 to Kilkenny, and their dominance was becoming increasingly evident.

The second half began with a setback for Kilkenny, as two players were handed yellow cards in quick succession. Reduced to 13 players, they faced a challenging period, but their resilience never wavered. Spotting a gap down the wing, Laura Delaney exploited Navan’s weakened defensive line and powered over for a try under the posts. Emily Kenny made no mistake with the conversion, bringing the score to 27-5.

Isla Mosse was a standout performer in the second half, delivering punishing tackles that rattled Navan and further shifted the momentum in Kilkenny’s favour. Tina Wright continued her exceptional work around the breakdown, poaching possession and keeping the pressure on. A combined effort from Caroline Quirke and Mags Irish set up Isla Mosse for a well-earned try, pushing the lead to 32-5.

The onslaught didn’t stop there. Eve Cronin, already in sublime form, completed her hat-trick with another blistering run from distance, dodging multiple defenders before grounding the ball. The score now stood at 39-5, and Navan had no answer to Kilkenny’s sheer determination and attacking flair.

Megan Callahan spotted an opportunity in the dying minutes, launching a well-placed kick deep into Navan’s half. Leah McCarthy chased it down brilliantly, outpacing the defense to secure the final try of the match. As the final whistle blew, Kilkenny celebrated a resounding victory with a final score of 44-5.

It was an excellent performance from the Kilkenny Women, showcasing skill, teamwork, and resilience. A huge thank you to all the supporters who came out to witness this excellent display. Kilkenny now host Greystones in the next round this coming Sunday.