Ní Shé nets hat-trick as Carlow go top of Division 4
The added physicality allowed in the tackle following the 12 rule enhancements in the ladies game didn't prevent Sara Doyle from scoring 11 points Photos: Aisling Hyland
Clíodhna Ní Shé scored a second half hat-trick as Carlow claimed their second win in Division 4 of the National League with the most facile of victories at the Training Centre in Fenagh on Sunday.
While there was an obvious gulf in quality between the teams from the very stages, Carlow deserve credit for the way they approached this game. They played right to the very final whistle and only a superb performance from Kilkenny goalkeeper Ellie Moran prevented the final scoreline from being even more one-sided.
Even in a game such as this, there were signs that Ed Burke has the team going in the right direction once again. In his first term as manager, the Tipperary native led Carlow to a Division 4 title and on more than one occasion they came within a whisker of reaching an All-Ireland Junior Final at Croke Park and those are the sort of results that he will be aiming for once again.
From the sideline, he and coach, Kildare native Wayne Heavey, kept the energy high from the start to the finish of the game and that translated on to the pitch.
There were also signs that the new rules will benefit this Carlow team. Of course, they will come up against more obdurate opponents but the team is quick and like to move the ball fast and like all good teams, they will appreciate the solo and go rule, and they won’t shy away from the added physicality either.
There were no scores from behind the two point line, but they weren’t needed. It was 0-14 to 0-0 at half time after a Sara Doyle inspired first half. The St Brigids sharpshooter scored seven of her 11 points in the opening period and was denied a goal in the last action before the half by a save from the inspired Moran.
A goal was all that was missing from the first half performance, Bronagh Nolan came closest with a palmed effort that hit the post in the 25th minute, but Carlow rectified that just 20 seconds into the second half when Roisin Bailey burst straight through the Kilkenny backline and left Ní Shé with an easy finish.
Ní Shé got her second in the 38th minute with a typically clever lob and she completed her hat-trick in the 58th minute with a simple tap in after another brilliant save from Moran had kept out a shot from Aibha Kiernan, who had been introduced after just nine minutes following an injury to Caoimhe O’Neill.
Carlow were rampant in the final minutes and Megan Townsend scored her team’s fourth goal and another effort in the net but that was ruled out due to a square ball.
The result leaves Carlow top of the table after just two rounds alongside Leitrim as the only teams so far with maximum points. Next up is another home game, this time in Netwatch Cullen Park, next Sunday against a Wicklow team who have lost both opening rounds.
Things will get more difficult for Carlow and three of their last four games in the division are away from home but they look to have the bit between their teeth again and they could be set for a good season ahead.
