Very Camogie Leagues round-up: Cork edge Kilkenny

Katrina Mackey scored 0-08 as All-Ireland champions Cork began 2024 with a hard-earned 1-17 to 1-16 win over a much-changed Kilkenny unit, after a pulsating opening round Division 1A Very Camogie League tie at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Both sides are under new management since the Rebels overcame the then reigning All-Ireland titleholders in last year's quarter-final, with Ger Manley - who served as coach under Matthew Twomey - stepping into the vacancy left by the Douglas clubman, while Peter Cleere took the Kilkenny reins after Brian Dowling brought his successful term to a conclusion.

There was a far more familiar look to the Cork team but Kilkenny gave every bit as much as they got and led at the end of the first half by 1-09 to 1-08.

Aoife Doyle opened the scoring for Cleere’s crew from the first attack and though Mackey equalised soon after, a fired-up Kilkenny soon established a three-point advantage thanks to scores from Asha McHardy, Sophie O’Dwyer [free] and Katie Power.

The advantage had stretched to four by the end of the first quarter but after Mackey split the posts for the first time, Claire Mullins continued the goal-scoring form with Sarsfields that earned her a call-up at this grade, with a smart finish after a trademark solo run by Hannah Looney and assist by Mackey, exhibiting her customary360 degree awareness.

That brought the sides level and a Looney point in the 29th minute edged the visitors in front for the first time. The Kilkenny response was excellent however, with Doyle goaling from the restart with a rifled finish from a tight enough angle after Power had pounced on an error by Ashling Thompson, to ensure they the Stripeywomen held marginal sway at the break.

Manley’s players bounced out with the first