Kildare ladies roar into to the final with superb Wexford win
Lidl National Football League Division 3
Kildare 1-10
Wexford 0-6
Kildare ladies produced a superb performance to beat Wexford in their top of the table clash and final round of their National Football League Division 3 campaign. The win means Kildare claim top spot in their division and will now look forward to a league final.
The quality of these teams was clear to see from early in this game as they went toe-to toe in the opening exchanges. Kildare’s games to this point have typically had a flow more so in their direction while opposition set up in a defensive block. But Wexford came to play and got the opening score of the game through Caoilfionn Ní Nuallain.
The sides would enter the break drawn at 0-4 a piece but Kildare had racked up more wides as they looked more fluid in possession despite not making it count on the scoreboard. There were two ways of looking at the first half, on one hand Kildare looked inevitable to push on in this game and get those scores but similar was said of the game against Louth as they kicked 14 wides and slumped to their only loss so far.
The former would prove to be true and the Louth game will be reflected as the small blip it was in hindsight. After falling behind to a Ciara Banville score, Kildare seized control once more and began to get the scoreboard ticking.
In tight games and nervy moments you need contributions from your big players and one of Kildare’s best this year has been Róisín Byrne. Byrne knocked over the next three scores of the game with two difficult frees and a fine score from play.
Neasa Dooley would be next on the scoresheet as she broke away from her marker and into space. Dooley cut across her effort with the outside of her boot and it curled back in and over the bar. An incredible score from the full-forward but one that may be forgotten given what was to come from the Kildare number 14.
Kildare held a healthy three-point lead when Ciara Price beat her opposite number to go through on goal. Price took a shot that was saved by Leanne Moore in the Wexford goal and after a scuffle Price slapped home the rebound for a goal that wasn’t given by the umpires. After consultation with referee Paul McCaughey, a penalty was given for a foul on Price as she went for the rebound. The Kildare fans were happy with the decision albeit confused by the whole kerfuffle.
Neasa Dooley stood over the spot kick and cannoned her effort off the top of the crossbar. The initial gasps subsided with hope as the ball fell from the sky back towards Dooley. There might not have been one person that was expecting what the full-forward did next, all in attendance expected a catch and attempt at finishing the rebound. But Dooley had other ideas and let the ball drop before superbly volleying it past the Wexford goalkeeper.
It was a stunning and one I would encourage anyone who missed it live to look upon the Kildare LGFA page. The video doesn’t quite do the velocity of the strike justice but it’s well worth a look nonetheless because of the technique and execution.
Kildare would comfortably close out victory from here as they finished the game seven points clear of their opponents. With that game in the rear view it is clear that on their day very few teams in this division can live with Kildare.
Attacking was never an issue for this talented side but combined the increased defensive solidity that they have demonstrated so far this year, Kildare will give any team they face problems. They now shift their focus to the league final in two weeks time.
Scorers: Kildare, Neasa Dooley 1-2, Róisín Byrne 0-4 (0-3 frees), Ellen Dowling 0-2, Grace Clifford 0-1, Aoife Rattigan 0-1.
Wexford, Amy Walsh 0-2, Caoilfionn Ní Nuallain 0-2 (0-2 frees), Ciara Banville 0-1, Catriona Murray 0-1 (0-1 free).
KILDARE: Mary Hulgraine; Lauren Burke, Laoise Lenehan, Aoife Clifford; Lara Gilbert, Ruth Sargent, Grainne Kenneally; Grace Clifford, Aoife Rattigan; Claire Sullivan, Róisín Byrne, Triona Duggan; Ellen Dowling, Neasa Dooley, Lara Curran. Subs: Sarah Munnelly on for Aoife Clifford (22 minutes), Ciara Price on for Claire Sullivan (Half time), Roisin Forde on for Lara Curran (55 minutes).
WEXFORD: Leanne Moore; Aisling Halligan, Shauna Murphy, Katie English; Orlagh Kehoe, Roisin Murphy, Karen Tomkins; Aoife Cullen, Ciara Banville; Amy Walsh, Roisin Hughes, Clara Donnelly; Sarah Harding Kenny, Caoilfionn Ní Nuallain, Catriona Murray. Subs: Emma Tomkins on for Aoife Cullen (41 minutes), Aobhe Manley on for Karen Tomkins (50 minutes).
Referee: Paul Mc Caughey.