Leinster Womens Division 3
CYM 00-55 Kilkenny
The Kilkenny Women’s team travelled to Dublin for their final league game, facing CYM in Terenure. Due to CYM’s limited numbers, the game was played as a 13-a-side match, but with a strong panel of finishers on the bench, Kilkenny had plenty of firepower at their disposal. With dry and warm weather creating ideal conditions, the visitors were determined to finish their league season in style.
From the opening whistle, Kilkenny set the tone with aggressive tackling and sharp defensive pressure. CYM received possession early on but were quickly met with a strong defensive stand. Alice Brennan was first to react, clearing out the ruck efficiently, allowing Laura Delaney to seize an opportunity. Sprinting down the wing, Delaney powered past the last defender and grounded the ball in the corner for the first try of the game. The conversion was missed, but Kilkenny took an early 5-0 lead.
Kilkenny didn’t wait long to add to their tally. Within minutes, they were back on the attack, exploiting gaps in the CYM defense. A well-worked passing sequence saw Karen Delaney find space and break through, diving over the line to push the score to 10-0.
With Kilkenny in full control, Lorna McMahon showcased her speed and agility. Breaking away from a scrambling CYM defense, she evaded a desperate tackle and sprinted to the try line, securing Kilkenny’s third try. A successful conversion extended their advantage to 17-0.
Despite CYM’s best efforts to gain momentum, Kilkenny’s relentless defensive line proved impenetrable. The black and amber jerseys swarmed their opponents, shutting down attacking opportunities before they could develop. A key moment came when Kilkenny intercepted a CYM pass—quick hands moved the ball out wide to Laura Delaney, who bulldozed her way through multiple defenders to score her second try of the match. The conversion was slotted over, increasing the lead to 24-0.
CYM attempted to push back, searching for a way through Kilkenny’s formidable defensive wall. At one stage, they managed to rip possession back and looked poised to finally break through. However, Emily Kenny had other ideas. Reacting swiftly, she counter-rucked, ripped the ball back, and charged straight under the posts for another Kilkenny try, taking the score to 31-0 with a successful conversion.
Kilkenny’s dominance continued as they controlled possession and dictated the tempo of the game. Leah McCarthy was next to add her name to the scoreboard, peeling off the back of a dominant scrum. The ball was worked out to the left wing, and with pace and precision, McCarthy sprinted over the line to make it 36-0.
Shortly after, McCarthy demonstrated her kicking prowess, launching a perfectly placed ball deep into CYM’s half. Chasing it down with determination, Laura Delaney timed her run to perfection, collecting the ball in full stride and diving over for yet another try. The conversion was successfully added, making it 43-0 heading into halftime.
Kilkenny picked up right where they left off in the second half. Caroline Quirke ran an excellent support line for Lauren Nolan, who carved through the CYM defense with impressive pace. With a final burst of speed, Nolan crossed the try line, increasing the lead to 48-0.
With the game firmly in their control, Kilkenny continued to showcase their depth and attacking ability. Kate O’Neill added her name to the scoresheet, finishing a well-executed attacking move down one wing. Moments later, a well-structured maul saw Anita St Ledger break off down the blind side, forcing her way over for the final try of the match. The successful conversion sealed an emphatic 55-0 victory.
With the league now concluded, the Kilkenny Women will look ahead to their next challenge, their upcoming Cup campaign on the 30th March. A performance like this sends a clear message—Kilkenny are a force to be reckoned with.
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