Armagh take the points home after clinical display
Kildare's Gillian Wheeler on the ball during the defeat to Armagh
Armagh made the long journey south a hugely profitable one as they enjoyed a four point win over Kildare in Round Two of the Lidl LGFA Division 1 National Football League.
After coming away from Cork with a draw just a week ago and with Armagh suffering a heavy defeat in Waterford hopes were high that Kildare could pick up a valuable three points in this Round 2 encounter but it proved a tough afternoon for Pat Sullivan's charges. Kildare trailed after 25 minutes and they never got their noses in front again.
A much changed Kildare side from the 2025 campaign had taken to the field last weekend and Pat Sullivan backed his convictions with only the enforced change of Lara Curran from the visit to Cork, Eadestown's Aine Mernagh taking the number 14 jersey.
Kildare made the perfect start as Alannah Prizeman converted a free inside 90 seconds. Ciara Wheeler doubled the lead before two minutes had elapsed. Armagh were finding it hard to penetrate a well organised Kildare defence and it took team captain Lauren McConville to come forward from centre back to register Armagh's first score after three minutes.
Kildare were wasteful in possession and their persistence to go sideways when coming forward saw Armagh turn them over on numerous occasions in a sloppy opening half from the home side. A heavy head high tackle on Aoife Murnane nine minutes in saw Kildare awarded a free and when Alannah Prizeman's free dropped short it was Lisa Shaw who was on hand to fist over the rebound. That same tackle on Aoife Murnane saw the Maynooth girl leave the field for a blood injury.
Alannah Prizeman added her second free on 14 minutes and Kildare were three ahead. Unfortunately it was their last score of the half as they went 16 minutes scoreless and it encouraged the Armagh ladies to wrestle control. Catherine Marley started the comeback and her point was quickly followed by two Kelly Mallon frees and with seven minutes to the break Armagh were level.
Kildare were struggling with the runners from deep and when Nanci Murphy was dispossessed a quick interplay between Kelly Mallon and Lara Marsden saw the latter in on goal but she scuffed her shot into Rachael Fennin's arms. Armagh finished the half with three unanswered points to go to the dressing rooms 0-7 to 0-4 ahead. Aoife McCoy, Maeve Lennon and a third Kelly Mallon free were no more than the Orchard ladies deserved.
On the return Lara Marsden extended the lead to four inside 20 seconds. Kildare needed to respond and they did with three points of their own in a six minute spell. Aoife Rattigan, Alannah Prizeman with her third free and a fine long range effort from Molly Aspell shortly after her introduction for Gillian Wheeler. Kildare were back within one and they were the team in the ascendancy.
The dominance was shortlived as Kildare could only muster two further points over the closing 23 minutes. The exertions of that trip to Cork a week earlier was showing on Pat Sullivan's girls. Armagh continued their running game and points from captain Lauren McConville, a free from Kelly Mallon for a three up infringement and a fine score from half back Emily Druse saw Armagh back four ahead.
Alannah Prizeman's two late points both for three up infringements could only get Kildare within three and it was a fifth Kelly Mallon free and a second from Emily Druse that saw the Orchard county ladies home with four points to spare.
A disappointing result for Kildare after a positive result in Cork but they will have a chance to regroup before the Round 3 trip to Galway next Sunday.
Brianna Mathers; Maeve Ferguson, Clodagh McCambridge, Alana Donnelly, Emily Druse 0-2, Lauren McConville 0-2, Laura Kavanagh; Cait Towe, Grace Ferguson; Lara Marsden 0-1, Catherine Marley 0-1, Caoimhe McNally, Maeve Lennon 0-1, Aoife McCoy 0-1, Kelly Mallon 0-5fs. Subs: Roisin Mulligan for McNally, 27; Kellie Shields for Lennon, 41; Eve Lavery for Druse, 55; Caroline O’Hanlon for Marsden, 59.
Rachael Fennin; Emma Wheeler, Ruth Sargent, Mia Doherty, Hazel McLoughlin, Lisa Shaw 0-1, Laoise Lenehan; Nanci Murphy, Gillian Wheeler; Mayah Doyle, Ciara Wheeler 0-1, Aoife Rattigan 0-1, Aoife Murnane, Aine Mernagh, Alannah Prizeman 0-5fs. Subs: Molly Aspell 0-1 for G Wheeler, 32; Jessica Harney for Doyle, 36; Meabh McDonagh for Rattigan, 41; Roisin Forde for Murphy, 48; Abaigh Cahill for Murnane, 56.
Brendan Wright (Down)
