Kildare ladies beat Monaghan in Division 2 opener

Lidl National Football League Division 2

Kildare 1-6

Monaghan 0-5

It was a winning start to life in Division 2 for the Kildare ladies as they beat Monaghan on the opening day. In less than ideal conditions, Kildare managed the game well and protected their lead for large swathes of the second half.

A Róisín Byrne goal after three minutes was the main buffer between the sides as the Sarsfields woman rounded the 'keeper and smashed her effort into the back of the net.

Kildare, Róisín Byrne 1-4 (0-2 frees), Neasa Dooley 0-1, Grace Clifford 0-1.

Monaghan, Leanne Maguire 0-2 (0-2 frees), Éabha Sherry 0-1, Sarah Tierney 0-1,  Chloe McBride 0-1.

KILDARE: Niamh Barnes; Fiona Troute, Laoise Lenehan, Aoife Clifford; Mia Doherty, Ruth Sargent, Lara Gilbert; Grace Clifford, Claire Sullivan; Aoife Rattigan, Ellen Dowling, Sarah Munnelly; Neasa Dooley, Róisín Byrne, Lara Curran. Subs: Hazel McLoughlin for Lara Gilbert (Half-time), Holly Tyrell for Lara Curran (44 minutes), Elaine Keogh for Fiona Troute (53 minutes), Erin Brereton Foley for Ellen Dowling (56 minutes),

MONAGHAN: Órna Kelly; Aoife Bannigan, Bríd McNally, Shona Brady; Maeve Monaghan, Jennifer Duffy, Emma Clerkin; Jodie McQuilan, Leanna Maguire, Casey Trenor; Chloe McBride, Éabha Sherry, Sarah Tierney. Subs: Celine Nally for Shona Brady (48 minutes), Holly McQuaid for Sarah Tierney (48 minutes), Naoimi Cogan for Aoife Bannigan (56 minutes), Niamh Flanagan for Chloe McBride (56 minutes).

Referee: Eddie Cuthbert