Kildare ladies in strong position after stunning away win in Meath
Kildare's Molly Aspell races clear of Meath's Orlaith Sheehy during today's game in Summerhill Photo: Sean Brilly
Kildare made a giant step towards a TG4 Leinster LGFA Final when they had four points to spare over Meath in a dogfight at a dandelion adorned pitch in Summerhill GAA on Sunday afternoon.
While dominating the early exchanges Meath were wayward in front of goal recording five wides in the opening quarter and seven in all in the opening half and a total of 14 throughout the game.
Kildare were living off scraps, particularly from their own kick outs, but they still found themselves two points to the good after seven minutes through Aoife Rattigan and Molly Aspel.
Meath drew level by the ninth minute through Niamh Gallogly and Meadhbh Byrne but Alannah Prizeman had Kildare in front a minute later with a fine point. Meath drew level again through a Marion Farrelly free on twelve minutes and we had to wait until the 21st minute for our next score, a point from Lauren Woods which put Meath in front for the first and only time in the game.
Kildare finished the half on the front foot. Aoife Rattigan levelled the game for the third time with her second point in the 24th minute and two minutes later Alannah Prizeman forced Meath keeper, Robyn Murray into a fine save with her feet to deny Kildare a goal.
A great individual point from play from Gillian Wheeler and a free by Aoife Rattigan for a foul on Wheeler gave Kildare the two point half time advantage at 0-6 to 0-4.
Although Meath started well from an attacking point of view in the second half Kildare held their nerve and went four points up thanks to two clever fisted points from the returning Lara Curran and corner back, Lisa Shaw.
Ciara Smyth, with a point from a free, and Meadhbh Byrne with her second from play brought just two between the sides by the 40th minute. A combination of poor Meath shooting and stout defending by Kildare kept the Lilywhites deservedly in front and they added to the lead in the 12th minute with another Aoife Rattigan free for a foul on the industrious Gillian Wheeler. Two points from Ciara Smyth sandwiched one from Alannah Prizeman for Kildare and the Lilywhites still led by two points at 0-10 to 0-8 with eight minutes remaining.
In the closing minutes Kildare brought saves from Robyn Murray and substitute Aoife Murnane cracked one off the crossbar. Kildare demonstrated great maturity in seeing out the game with two more Aoife Rattigan frees bringing her tally to six for the day which gave Kildare a famous four-point Leinster Championship victory.
Rachel Fennin; Aine Mernagh, Emma Wheeler, Lisa Shaw 0-1; Hazel McLoughlin, Ruth Sargent, Laoise Lenehan; Aisling Irhue, Gillian Wheeler 0-1; Lara Curran 0-1, Ciara Wheeler, Molly Aspel 0-1; Aoife Rattigan 0-6 (4 frees), Mayah Doyle, Alannah Prizeman 0-2. Subs: Mia Doherty for Lisa Shaw 39, Jessica Harney for Ciara Wheeler 47, Aoife Murnane for Mayah Doyle, Abaigh Cahill for Aisling Irhue 56.
Robyn Murray; Karla Kealy, Aine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch; Orlaith Sheehy, Olivia Gore, Kate Birmingham; Sinead Murphy, Niamh Gallogly 0-1; Marion Farrelly 0-1 (free), Meadhbh Byrne 0-2, Megan Thynne; Ciara Smyth 0-3 (2 frees), Lauren Woods 0-1, Rachel Casserly. Subs: Orla Finnegan for Lauren Woods 44, Orlaith Mallon for Rachel Casserly 49, Ali Sherlock for Megan Thynne 55, Órla Smith for Sinéad Murphy 55, Caoimhe McPeake for Kate Bermingham 33.
Barry Redmond (Wexford)
