Kilcullen claim Ladies' Division 1 league football title
Niamh Liston, Molly O Loughlin, Caoimhe Egan and Leah Tyrell celebrate. Photo: Aisling Hyland.
Kilcullen claimed the Kildare LGFA Senior Division 1 league football title on Saturday evening, thanks to a dominant display against St. Laurence’s, away from home.
Ed Burke’s side dominated large parts of the contest, and they managed the first half superbly, as they played against a strong win in the opening period.
Both teams exchanged points early on, with Jayne Peacocke and Marie Kiely trading two points each, inside the first ten minutes of the game.
Both teams defended well in the opening half, with both defences very well set up tactically.
The sides then traded numerous more scores, as Kilcullen led 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. Incredibly, all of Kilcullen’s six points in the half were dead balls, kicked by Peacocke.
Peacocke’s free taking ability was the standout feature of the half, as she nailed some incredible frees with her left foot.
Playing with a strong wind in the second half, Burke’s charges dominated the third quarter as they outscored St. Laurence’s 1-3 to 0-1 in the opening 20 minutes of the half.
Kilcullen’s goal came from the penalty spot, as Peacocke finished the spot kick calmly past Maebh Collins in the home side’s goal.
The victors were reduced to 14 players with just over ten minutes remaining, as Sally Murphy received a yellow card, which saw her sin binned for a dangerous tackle.
Despite being reduced to 14 players, Kilcullen saw out the remainder of the game and they kicked three of the last five points, with the fabulous Amy Tyrell and substitute Molly Aspell kicking fine scores.
Peacocke, Amy Tyrell, Leah Tyrell and substitute Aspell all impressed for the winners with their brilliant kicking in the game being key, while Marie Kiely was outstanding for St. Laurence’s, while Elaine Marron also impressed in defence.
J Peacocke 1-8(1-0 pen, 7f), L Tyrell 0-2, M Aspell 0-1, A Tyrell 0-1, S Murphy 0-1.
Kiely 0-5 (3f), M Alcock 0-1, A O’Sullivan 0-1.
Roisin Browne, Ava Cronin, Molly O’Loughlin, Eleanor Traynor, Saoirse O’Brien, Olivia Monaghan, Niamh Liston, Sally Murphy, Nanci Murphy, Hannah Breen, Jayne Peacocke, Ella O’Toole, Leah Tyrell, Caoimhe Egan, Amy Tyrell. Subs: Molly Aspell for Cronin (42 mins), Mischa Ginty for Breen (52 mins).
Maebh Collins, Eimear Clancy, Elaine Marren, Niamh Miley, Ciara Downey, Ava Marron, Niamh O’Connor, Ailbhe Hennessy, Miah Ryan, Megan Alcock, Kevin Dermody, Grace Reynolds, Joanna Ryan, Marie Kelly, Aoibheann O’Sullivan. Subs: Caoimhe O’Sullivan for Ryan (30 mins), Jean Miley for Hennessy (36 mins), Sarah Faye Lawler Reynolds (42 mins).
