2009 Midlands and Kilkenny WTC

Midlands and Kilkenny Winter Training Camp teams travelled to Cork to play their first competitive match as a group.  The FAI Winter Training Camp is a Development programme run by the Womens Unit of the FAI.  The programme gives female players the opportunity to develop their football skills outside of their club setting.  Both groups have been training weekly over the past 2 months and have improved greatly as a result.  The two groups joined forces as a Leinster team to take on the experienced Cork WTC. 

In the first match, Leinster hit the ground running with a well taken goal by Tullamore’s Grainne Walsh.  The Cork keeper was called into action on numerous occasions as both Kayleigh Bryant of Mucklagh and Kim Cobbe of Tullamore both had chances to extend their sides lead.  However, when Meaghan Dunne created space for herself at the corner of the box, she powerfully chipped the ball over the keeper, for a goal that would be spoken about for months if seen in the Premiership,

In the second half, Leinster continued to create good chances and put the game beyond Cork, both Walsh and Dunne adding another goal each to their tally.  Chloe Kenna of Durrow came on as a second half substitute and had an immediate impact testing the keeper with her first touch.   Kenna’s hard work paid off as she saw her initial shot come back to her off the upright, but she was quickest to react to the rebound.

An impressive performance by all players, Emma Kirwan of Killeigh was solid as a rock throughout the game.  As was the defensive unit of keeper Eabha Walsh (Mucklagh), Amy Martin (Tullamore), Ciara Burke (Mountmellick), Caitlin Skehan and Sinead Whelan (Thomastown). They were well organised throughout the game and dealt with pressures put upon them by Cork.  

In the second game, it was a much tighter affair with the Leinster players being tested early.  Nessa Griffin of Thomastown was put through on goal early in the game but saw her shot well saved by the keeper.  A tougher Cork outfit proved harder to get through and the game could’ve swung either way.  A spell of good play between Aoife Farrell, Aine Butler and Maeve Egan (Thomastown) put Nessa Griffin through one on one with the keeper and she made no mistake.  This goal giving the Leinster side a 1-0 lead at half time.

The second half saw Cork dominate spells of possession, but a great team defense saw them deny Cork any clear chances.  Midway through the half, Cork caught Leinster on the break and a through ball to the centre forward was met by keeper Eabha Walsh who bravely dived at the forwards feet.  With minutes left on the clock Grainne Walsh on as a sub drove at the heart of the Cork defence with a mazy run and there was little the Cork keeper could do about her powerful drive which ended up wrapping up the game for Leinster.

Many thanks to the parents who travelled in support of the players and a special thanks to the three Under 16 players who assisted on the day – Meghan Hayes and Niamh Bolger of Thomastown  and Grace O’Mahony of East End in Kilkenny.   Final word of thanks to the coaches involved with both groups – Jimmy Donnelly (Kilkenny WTC) and Richelle O’Neill and Trevor Moylan (Midlands WTC)

Players that travelled:

Midlands WTC:  Amy Martin, Kim Cobb – Tullamore Town FC; Ciara Burke – Mountmellick; Kayleigh Bryant. Katie Cogley, Eabha Walsh – Mucklagh; Emma Kirwin, Grainne Walsh – Killeigh; Meaghan Dunne – Rosenallis.

Kilkenny WTC:  Aine Butler, Aoife Farrell, Caitlin Skehan, Maeve Egan, Meghan Hayes, Nessa Griffin, Niamh Bolger, Sinead Whelan – Thomastown FC; Chloe Kenna – Lions; Grace O’Mahony – East End.