Kilkenny opened up their league campaign with a loss down to Clare in Cusack Park.
Brian Dowling’s team conceded very early on with the ball going into the back of the net from the hands of Aine O’Loughlin. It would take seven minutes for the defending All Ireland Champions to get on the scoresheet, with Miriam Walsh grabbing a point. Not to be outdone, Clare went down the other end and grabbed two points thanks to Caoimhe Carmody & Zi Zan Spillane. Any chance of momentum building was immediately cut out from this point though as each side traded scores, going in at halftime 1-05 to 0-04.
It was evident though from Kilkenny’s opening second-half performance, that a fire was lit under them in the dressing room. Clawing away at the deficit with four unanswered points. to finally put Kilkenny in the lead with 20 minutes remaining. In fact, it would take 15 minutes for Clare to register a point, with Caoimhe Kelly drawing the game. It would be another Caoimhe to put Clare back in the driving seat, this time Caoimhe Carmody getting the ball passed Aoife Norris in goal.
Points from Katie Power and Sarah Barcoe in the last ten were not enough in the end, with Clare claiming the victory on home soil. The old foes Galway are up next for Kilkenny on February 25th.
The game finished up Kilkenny: 0-11(11) Clare: 2-7(13)