Lilies no match for rampant Dublin

It was another heavy defeat for Kildare when the All-Ireland champions visited Manguard Park. A rampant Dublin put 4-19 on the board despite the home side having an improved performance compared to their Leinster Championship efforts. A true demonstration of Dublin’s dominance and another indication that they appear to be well clear of the pack in terms of All-Ireland title contenders.

Kildare started this game with intensity. The Lilies won turnovers early and carved out a couple of meaningful opportunities. Ellen Dowling got the game’s opening score with a driven effort from close range, although many in the stands thought she was about to take aim beneath the crossbar.

Hannah Tyrell quickly equalised for Dublin before Carla Rowe pushed the visitors ahead.

A long ball in from Trina Duggan would open up space for Róisín Byrne, who equalised in fine style.

The next major incident would also involve Duggan as she spent several minutes on the ground before being helped off. The wing-forward had been bright to that point and one can only hope that her knee injury is not as serious as initially feared.

The break in play suited the visiting side as they took over from here and took the lead again from a Hannah Tyrell free.

Kildare’s early momentum seemed to have been stunted as The Dubs kicked themselves further clear.

Nicole Owens spun twice before knocking over a brilliant score to double her side’s lead.

Another Hannah Tyrell free would be followed by points from all over the park as Orlagh Nolan, Niamh Donlon and Niamh Hetherton all got on the scoresheet.

Less than a minute after they had kicked themselves six clear, Dublin hit the net for the first time. Carla Rowe darted towards goal and was superbly denied by Anna Dunlea before coolly finishing the rebound. The first green flag of the afternoon made it 1-8 to 0-2 after 26 minutes.

The pressure from the leading side was unrelenting as they added points through Rowe and Lauren Magee soon after.

Just three minutes after her first, Carla Rowe found the net again when Dublin won a turnover high up the pitch. The swift and punishing move ended with Niamh Hetherton hand-passing across goal to leave an easy finish for Rowe to grab her second goal.

Caoimhe O’Connor was set to get Dublin’s third goal was it not for another brilliant save from Anna Dunlea on 31 minutes.

Róisín Byrne then got Kildare’s third point of the day with a well-taken free.

It would be the home side’s last of the half, but not for Dublin as they added points from Nicole Owens and two from the boot of Hannah Tyrell.

The team’s went in at half-time at 2-13 to 0-3 in favour of the defending All-Ireland champions.

Much like the first, Kildare started the second half well and left The Dubs scoreless for the 10 minutes following the restart.

They carved out chances of their own in the meantime too as Neasa Dooley created a goal chance from nothing with a brilliant run, but fired just wide.

Kildare did score in the purple patch however and it was two points from Róisín Byrne that lifted the home supporters' spirits.

Dublin would come roaring back into this fixture with another goal and Carla Rowe’s third when finished tidily from close range.

The Dubs would largely rely on set-pieces to add to their tally in the minutes that followed as Kildare held strong.

Diane O’Hora’s side were tireless in their work-rate and application in their game, but came up against the unenviable task of tackling the best team in the country.

There was still time for a fourth goal however and this time it was the turn of substitute Chloe Darby to find the net. Niamh Donlon slipped in the Parnells forward, who finished brilliantly to give her side a further lead on the scoreboard.

Late Kildare points from Ruth Sargent and two from Róisín Byrne pushed Kildare’s tally to nine points for the afternoon.

After finishing bottom of Group 4, Kildare now have a relegation play-off game against Donegal on July 6 or 7.

Scorers: Dublin, Carla Rowe 3-6 (0-5 frees), Hanna Tyrell 0-6 (0-5 frees), Chloe Darby 1-0, Nicole Owens 0-3, Orlagh Nolan 0-1, Niamh Donlon 0-1, Niamh Hetherton 0-1, Lauren Magee 0-1.

Kildare, Róisín Byrne 0-7 (0-2 frees), Ruth Sargent 0-1, Ellen Dowling 0-1.

DUBLIN: Abby Shiels; Leah Caffrey, Olwen Carey, Niamh Crowley; Lauren Magee, Martha Byrne, Sinéad Goldrick; Jennifer Dunne, Orlagh Nolan; Caoimhe O’Connor, Carla Rowe (capt.), Nicole Owens; Hanah Tyrrell, Niamh Hetherton, Niamh Donlon. Subs: Aoife Kane for Leah Caffrey (half-time), Grace Kós for Martha Byrne (half-time), Jessica Tobin for Sinéad Goldrick (38 minutes), Chloe Darby for Hannah Tyrell (42 minutes), Ellen Gribben for Orlagh Nolan (45 minutes).

KILDARE: Anna Dunlea; Fiona Troute, Aoife Clifford, Alex Reynolds; Lara Gilbert, Ruth Sargent, Lauren Murtagh; Grace Clifford (capt.), Claite Sullivan; Trina Duggan, Neasa Dooley, Leah Doran; Ellen Dowling, Niamh Farrelly, Róisín Byrne. Subs: Mia Doherty for Trina Duggan (11 minutes), Ellie O'Toole for Alex Reynolds (half-time), Aoife Rattigan for Niamh Farrelly (39 minutes), Lara Prendergast for Leah Doran (45 minutes), Sarah Munnelly for Lara Gilbert (45 minutes), Aoife Kilkenny for Lauren Murtagh (53 minutes).

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).