Gaule, goals & a cry for equality

Brian Dowling’s side then went on a scoring blitz that saw them hit six scores without reply by the 22 minute, including two vital majors. Again, Wingap’s Gaule led the way, hitting a trio of points while last season’s captain, Aoife Prendergast and St Martin’s Katie Nolan raised green ags and the latter also notched a point in this purple patch Malone tagged on points to leave as the stripeywomen led by ten points on a scoreline of 2-8 to 0-4. Aisling’s Maher (2) and Gannon got much-needed points for the home side but Gaule and Mullinavat’s Julieann the score at the short whistle, Dublin, 0-7, Kilkenny 2-10. Dublin boss Gerry McQuaid would have undoubtably been disappointed with his charges rst half display and would have a demanded a fast start to the second period, but it would be the Noresiders that struck rst, and again it would be a major that would break the home side’s hearts in the opening minute and realistically put the result to bed. Multiple All-Star Gaule ri ed a 20m free to the Dublin net and increased the visitors lead to Indeed, the home side would only add a further four points to their rst-half tally for the remainder of the game as the black and amber clad ladies strolled to victory. Again, Aisling’s were to the fore, with a brace from Maher and one from play by O’Neill, but no goals were forthcoming for the Dubs as they failed to make any in-roads on the visitors lead.

12 points.

Kilkenny began to make some changes. e rst of the afternoon saw Asha McHardy replace Michaela Kenneally with about 12 minutes gone in the second half. Denise Gaule then sent over another placed ball to make it a double score game before the recently introduced

McHardy got on the scoresheet with a ne point. Windgap’s Gaule then notched a classy e ort from play to further stamp her sides superiority on proceedings.

Jenny Cli ord then entered the fray in place of Kellyann Doyle, who had got more much-needed championship minutes in her legs. Gaule split the posts with another placed ball e ort with 23 minutes played, with what was to be Kilkenny’s nal score of the day, before Barrow Rangers Miriam Bambrick replaced Ste Fitzgerald with about 7 minutes remaining. e Village’s Sophie O’Dwyer then got on for the last few minutes in place of Katie Nolan before the nal score of the game came from the hurl of Aisling Maher from play. Final score in Parnell Park, Dublin 0-11, Kilkenny 3-14.

>> SHERRY SAYS..

Let’s deal with the game first. This was a win that Brian Dowling needed. This was a win that his team needed. After letting the opening round game against Wexford slip from their grasp and only take a share of the spoils from it, the 1st half performance in particular at Parnell Park would have placed the manager no end. The second half was about controlling matters and not allowing the home side to gain any traction to build a comeback. This was achieved. The scoring burst that saw them hit 2-4 without reply in the first half was key to breaking the Dubs resolve.

Denise Gaule may not be captain, but she led by example and finished the day with an impressive tally of 1-9. The Wingap players accuracy was impeccable and will be required if our senior ladies are to continue their quest to defend the O’Duffy Cup. She had good support from another experienced hand in the form of Katie Nolan. Defensively the team looked much more stable and harder to break down. Like the taking of scores, preventing them is just as important. This is the platform that is needed to achieve success and Dowling will be hoping that the win in the Capital is just the start for his charges to build on.

We welcome Tipp to UPMC Nowlan Park tomorrow evening. It’s quite simple really. Win and we advance as group winners.

The Big Issue

For too long our female Gaels have been forgotten and left behind. The welfare of this large section of our participating playing pool has been patchy to say the least. Their feelings were made clear earlier this season when they advised of their intention to no longer be the poor relation in terms of player welfare. The governing bodies need to act and soon if they are to avoid bringing further action and protest on themselves.