'No reason' for Kilkenny not to play in junior football championship

Railyard is the footballing heartbeat that has always been the exception to the rule in Kilkenny, and that pulse has extended all the way to the Big Apple in recent years.

This week, three of their natives returned home, one of whom is now the captain of the New York Ladies football team.

Antrim and Limerick were in opposition this time around and although the results did not go in their favour, the message is clear: New York want to be competitive in the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship.

Captain Kelly Keating and her team-mates - sister Sara Roche and Marie Dargan - also believe that women's football in Kilkenny can return to prominence too.

Both of these teams have contested All-Irelands in the past 15 years, while the Cats were even crowned champions back in 2007.

"Marie was full-forward when Kilkenny won the All-Ireland," said Keating.

"In Kilkenny, it's just the development, camogie takes over so much. Camogie and hurling are the first sports so people put football to the back step. But I was at our local club there the other night and the minors were training and they have such a good standard.

"It’s just to keep girls going. Girls stay longer at camogie in Kilkenny than they actually do at ladies football. Our local club pushes football but there are loads of clubs that don’t.

"For kids growing up, you want them to play what they love but camogie and ladies football, there is no reason why they can’t play both. They shouldn’t have to pick a sport at underage.

"I know it’s hard for people but there are plenty of dual stars out there these days. Ladies football is as good as camogie and I just wish players would stick with both, especially in Kilkenny.

"Obviously it would be hard for us to play against them because I am