Kildare 2-6 Meath 0-8

Favourites Kildare had to withstand a late late Meath fightback to claim the Leinster Ladies Minor Football Championship A title last night at Kinnegad. PHOTOS

The Lilywhite’s played with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half and it looked as if the Meath defence had done enough holding a very talented Kildare attack to six points.

The impressive Ciara Smyth got the scoreboard working. Sophie Ngai opened the Kildare account soon after but the Royals hit back with a brace from Orlaith Mallon and Sinead Murphy with ten minutes gone.

From there on the Meath defence was really tested as they withstood attack after attack and held Kildare to five points, Ngai (2) and three pointed frees from Niamh Farrelly. Kildare went to the dressing rooms 0-6 to 0-3 in front.

All of Meath’s good work in the opening 30 was undone in the first ten minutes of the second half as Kildare got in for two crucial goals against the elements. Edwina Birchall was first to strike and full forward Ava Cullen raised the second green flag to put them in to a commanding position.

Meath struggled going forward and had to wait until the 20th minute for their opening score, Ciara Smyth obliging from a free but from there on the young Royals dominated. Smyth pointed again, substitute Katie Twomey, Smyth and Amy O’Leary also raised white flags but the goal the three in a row chasing Royals needed never arrived and Kildare held on to claim the crown.

Kildare scorers: Edwina Birchall and Ava Cullen 1-0 each, Sophie Ngai and Niamh Farrelly 0-3 each.

Meath scorers: Ciara Smyth 0-4, Orlaith Mallon, Tori Foster, Katie Twomey and Amy O’Leary 0-1 each.

Referee Sinead McHugh

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