Kealy's goal helps Laurences set up repeat final against Eadestown
Emma Wheeler attacks from corner back for St Laurences Photo: Aisling Hyland
With Eadesown’s game in Kilcullen throwing in 15 minute before this clash began in St Laurences, it was up to the home side to make sure that this year’s Kildare LGFA Senior Football Championship final would be a repeat of last year’s final, and they duly did but it was hard work.
In a tight and hotly contested game, it proved to be a tale of two goals, one given at one end and one scored at the other.
In horrendous conditions as the rain poured down, the first goal was always going to be crucial. Sarsfields though they had scored it when Orlagh Judge sent a long ball into the square and after a scramble, Rebecca Kavanagh turned the ball into the net. There was a delay of over a minute as St Laurences goalkeeper Chloe Wright received treatment before the goal was eventually signalled as being disallowed and it was the delay probably as much as the decision that frustrated the Sarsfields sideline and supporters.
The goal that eventually separated the sides by scored by Wicklow’s Junior All-Ireland winner Marie Kealy in the 52nd minute, although Sarsfields disputed a free that was awarded in the build.
That Laurences eventually got over the line owed much to Kealy. Laurences had plenty of chances in the first half but it was only Kealy managed the score. Indeed, the opening half proved to be a battle of the free takers as Judge scored five for Sarsfields to help them into a 0-6 to 0-4 at half time, Roisin Byrne scoring the only point from play.
The nip and tuck nature of the game continued into the second half and the game was level at the time of Kavanagh’s disallowed goal.
Sarsfields recovered well after and Byrne scored either side of a close range Ciara Wheeler free.
Judge pushed Sarsfields two clear and that felt like a big lead heading into the last ten minutes but Laurence stuck to their task and Aoibheann O’Sullivan pointed before Kealy’s goal.
Laurences could have put the game to bed two minutes later when Eimear Dempsey’s kick out only picked out Megan Alcock but the Sarsfields goalkeeper kept her team in the game with a stunning one handed save that out the powerful shot.
Kealy’s free in the 57th minute left three points between the teams but another free by Judge left the game in the balance once again heading into injury time.
Fittingly, it was the excellent Kealy who had the final say and Laurences will now look for revenge against Eadestown in the final.
