Strong finish for Kildare ladies
April 14, 2014County grounds Aughrim
Referee Mags Doherty (Wexford)
Wicklow 4.06 Kildare 1.20
By Donal Fitzpatrick.
A shaky start but strong finish sees Kildare minor ladies through to Leinster B final.
The scenic surrounds of Aughrim played host to an epic battle between close neighbours Kildare and Wicklow on Saturday afternoon contesting this Leinster Minor B semi final.
Kildare had won the toss and decided to play against a stiff wind for the 1st half and within the 1st 5 minutes of the game found them selfs behind after a blistering start by Wicklow.Before supporters had settled on their seats Wicklow were in for their 1st goal coming from Rachel Byrne a well struck shot at Kildare keeper Natasha Murphy, Murphy had stopped the ball on the line and then unfortunately lost control fumbled it and as it left her hands crossed the line to give Wicklow the lead.Wicklow followed up with a pointed free from Georgia Canavan and adding to this lead with another goal was Orlaith Whelan, Gathering the ball as it came off the crossbar from Jessie Byrnes initial attempt to fire home point blank passed Murphy in the Kildare goals.
Kildare realising they had a battle on their hands rallied and hit Wicklow with 6 unanswered points 2 from Mikaela McKenna and Niamh Mulhall and 1 each from Orla Kirwin and Substitute Ellen Dowling who replaced Caoimhe o Fearghail after 15 mins. Kildare fought well to get back into the game and now were just 1 point behind. The game flowed from end to end with chances going amiss from both teams. Wicklow using the wind pushed further ahead with points from Orla Whelan, Molly Cullen and Aine o Keefe. Kildare replied with a great point from Niamh Mulhall slotting it over from a tight angle on the right hand side under pressure from Wicklow backs. Kildare had more chances of scores but a strong Wicklow defence kept them out and it was Wicklows Megan Kelly that would have the final score of the half with a point from the left wing giving her team a 4 point lead at half time. Wicklow 2.05 Kildare 0.07.
Kildare having the advantage of the wind in the 2nd half needed to get on the scoreboard early but it was Wicklow who caught out the Kildare defence on 2 occasions allowing them in for the halfs 1st 2 scores, 2goals 1 from Orlaith Whelan and 1 Rachel Byrne giving the home team a 10 point lead with 20 minutes remaining. Was it to be Wicklows day?
Mikaela McKenna duly responded with Kildares only goal reducing the margin to 7 and this score spurred on the Kildare girls as more was to follow. A pointed free from Mckenna and points from Dowling (2) Ailish Heavey, Elaine Marron and Tara Hallinan brought the Kildare girls back to within 1pt of Wicklow. The Kildare management team made some changes introducing Emma Lyons for Emma Wheeler (inj), Laura Scales for Orla Kirwin, Myra O Reilly for Amy Mcgrane and Anna Lawless for Emma Lyons(inj) to freshen up the legs.The game was been played at a very high pace and great credit to both teams for a trojan effort all over the pitch.
Wicklow responded with a pointed free from Aine o Keefe. With 8 mins to go in the game Wicklow had the advantage but Kildare were really putting Wicklow under pressure now in all areas of the pitch. McKenna scored 2 long range points that brought the game level for the 1st time and Kildares fitness levels started to show as Wicklow started to tire. Kildare won a free on the 21 and Dowling duly pointed to give the Kildare team the lead for the 1st time.Time was nearly up and Wicklow had missed chances to retake the lead, But Kildare were not to be undone and Mckenna and Dowling ended the Wicklow challenge by adding more points 2 a piece and at the final whistle Kildare had 5 points to spare running out winners on a score of Wicklow 4.06 Kildare 1.20.
John Dunne Kildare manager commented after the game. " we knew this game was going to be tough, Wicklow are a good side and they proved that today out there. The game was in the balance right up until the last 5 mins. Our fitness levels and the changes we made was the difference in the end. Our girls showed great character and determination, it was very satisfying to see a complete team performance."
Kildare will now await the winners of Wednesday evenings other semi final between Offaly and Meath. Next up for the Minor girls is leinster B final on 5th of May.
Kildare team.
Natasha Murphy, Grainne Lyons, Lydia Furey, Niamh Lawlor, Elaine Marron 0.01, Tara Hallinan 0.01, Rachel Reidy, Emma Wheeler, Amy McGrane, Shauna Kendrick, Ailish Heavey 0.01, Niamh Mulhall 0.03, Caoimhe o Fearghail, Mikaela McKenna 1.07(2f), Orlaith Kirwin 0.01, Niamh Flynn, Aine Dunne, Brid Farrell, Gemma Hartnett, Anna Lawless, Ellen Dowling (Captain 0.061f), Laura Scales, Emily Aulsberry, Danielle Clerkin, Becky Johnson, Muireann Scully, Myra O Reilly, Daire Smyth, Shannon Holland.
Wicklow team.
Becky Cassin, Ciara Stokes, Sarah Jane Winders, Saoirse o Reilly 0.01 (f)
Aine o Keefe 0.01, Rose Fagan, Sarah Fennelly, Amy Murphy (Captain), Molly Cullen 0.01, Jessie Byrne, Georgina Canavan 0.01(f), Megan Kelly 0.01, Orlaith Whelan 2.01, Ciara Byrne 0.01(f), Megan Kelly 2.00, Meghan Keoghe, Orfhlaith McNulty, Mary Healy, Emily OReilly, Katie Charles, Jade Manley, Jess Scott, Emma o Callaghan, Aimi Healy.
Senior league fixtures for this week Tuesday 15th April.
Div 1.
St Laurences v Castlemitchell
Maynooth v Leixlip
Balyna v Confey
Div 2.
Naas v Sarsfields
Kilcock v Carbury
Monasterevin v Eadestown
Div 3.
Clane v Kilcullen
Suncroft v Na Fianna
Ballykelly v Moorefield
Div 4.
Athy v Rheban
Kildangan/Nurney v Athgarvan
Celbridge v Robert Emmetts
Div 5A.
Rathangan v Milltown
Leixlip II v Cappagh
Rathcoffey v bye
Div 5B.
Castledermot v Ballymore
St Laurences II v Round Towers
Kill v bye
U16 results from weekend.
U16 Div 1.
Maynooth 2-3 Naas 3-6
U16 Div 3.
Celbridge 1-6 Two Mile House 5-7
Confey 6-5 Kill 6-7
U16 Div 4.
Eadestown 5-7 Milltown 3-3 Tweet
