Loreto Kilkenny swept to an emphatic four goal win over Kilkenny College in South East Senior Cup Final.
Loreto Kilkenny 4 (H Kelly 3, R Kelly) – 0 Kilkenny College
In perfect playing conditions, Loreto Kilkenny took an early advantage when smart play by Eva Duggan resulted in the first short corner of the game. This was struck sweetly into the goal by Rachel Kelly following a clever short corner routine. Three minutes later, Hannah Kelly scored the second goal of the game from an acute angle on the reverse to give the Loreto girls a 2-nil advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was a very evenly matched affair with no goals forthcoming despite both sides’ probing attacks. Dara Scobie and Rachel Lacey were at the forefront of the College’s resistance, but Loreto were relentless in their efforts.
Restarting with renewed intensity after the break, Loreto gained momentum early on in the third quarter with a series of corners providing good chances. These were as a result of skilled play by Aisling McGrath and Ava Murphy, but all efforts were kept out by diligent defending on behalf of the Kilkenny College team. Soon after, Hannah Kelly broke the stalemate when a long ball cut through the opposition’s defence. A reverse strike secured Loreto Kilkenny’s third goal of the day, despite the best efforts of the College’s ‘keeper.
In the final quarter, the Loreto outfit hit their stride. Rachel Kelly was superb at the back, marshalling the Loreto counter-attack, while Sophia O’Shea tormented the Kilkenny College defence. A late but storming run by Abby Gilsenan from midfield gained another circle entry and a clever pass was laid off to Hannah Kelly. Kelly completed her hat-trick of the day with a reverse strike over the keeper to finish the game.
