Offaly ladies footballers in relegation trouble after big defeat

OFFALY ladies footballers sustained a heavy defeat when a flying Kildare side were way too strong for them in the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3 last Sunday.

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3 Round 5

Kildare 3-17

Offaly 2-6

Played in O'Connor Park as a curtain raiser to the National Football League meeting between Offaly and Cavan, the home side could not cope with the pace, football and scoring ability of a very impressive Kildare side.

It leaves Offaly in serious relegation trouble during what is shaping up to be a testing season. Missing a number of established players, Offaly tried hard and produced flashes of good, constructive football but it was never going to be enough against an in-form Kildare side.

Forward Nease Dooley ran riot for Kildare, scoring 3-5 from play as the winners produced a great attacking display. The scoreline reflected their superiority and it leaves Offaly facing huge games against Down and Sligo after a three week break as they bid to retain Division 3 status.

It was clear from the start that they were going to have their work cut out here. Offaly had first use of a strong wind and held their own early on but then conceded seven points in a row and had an uphill battle from here to the end.

Offaly were 0-7 to 0-3 behind when Kildare took control with two goals in a minute – Dooley got them both in the 24th minute, the second from a penalty. Roisin Mealiff got an injury time goal for Offaly to leave them trailing by 2-9 to 1-4 at half time.

They were on a damage limitation exercise at this stage and Kildare pulled out of sight on the resumption. Dooley completed her hat trick as they went 3-14 to 1-4 ahead but Offaly showed character as they continued to work hard and try to get scores. Roisin Mealiff got a second goal in the 48th minute as Kildare eased home.

Scorers

Kildare: Neasa Dooley 3-5, Róisín Byrne 0-6, Lara Cullen (1f) and Ellen Dowling 0-3 each.

Offaly: Róisín Mealiffe 2-0, Saorah Doyle 0-3 (3fs), Emily Bailey and Saoirse McGuinness (1f) 0-1 each.

The teams

Kildare: Mary Hulgraine; Lauren Burke, Laoise Lenehan, Lara Gilbert; Trina Duggan, Ruth Sargeant, Sarah Munnelly; Grace Clifford (captain), Aoife Rattigan; Claire Sullivan, Róisín Byrne, Aoife Clifford; Ellen Dowling, Lara Curran, Nease Dooley. Subs: Mia Doherty for Burke (45 min), Grainne Kenneally for Duggan (48 min), Róisín Forde for Sullivan (48 min), Fiona Troute for Clifford (52 min), Holly Tyrrell for Curran (56 min).

Offaly: Kelley Cunningham; Kaytlin Flynn, Ava Dolan, Anna Grehan; Nicole Farrelly, Emer Nally, Róisín Ennis (captain); Emma Maher, Amy Gavin-Mangan; Michelle Mann, Emma Hand, Marie Byrne; Emily Bailey, Saorah Doyle, Róisín Mealiff. Subs: Saoirse McGuinness for Hand (half-time), Annie Heavin for Doyle (38 min), Ciara Walsh for Nally (42 min), Eve Kelly for Byrne (52 min).

Referee – Ger Canny (Mayo).