Kildare players enjoy win over Dublin but attention quickly turns to Kerry challenge

Sullivan and his players delighted after win over Dublin Kildare Senior Ladies’ footballers picked up a historic win last weekend on Sunday, in the Lidl Ladies’ National football League Division 1. The Lilywhites defeated Dublin on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-8.

Speaking after the game, Kildare manager Pat Sullivan said went into the game confident that his side had the ability to win against the 2023 All-Ireland champions.

“I think outside our circle we were underdogs but not within our group. We were very disappointed with last week. Credit to Waterford. Last Tuesday we had a great session and after Tuesday night I was confident we would see a different Kildare team. We ran into a 1-2 or 1-3 lead and that was huge. We went on the front foot. They came back in the second half, but we got a good foothold. We got a super score from Roisin to nail it,” he said.

Kildare went down to 14 players at one point during the second half when Lauren Murtagh was sinbinned Sullivan said they managed that spell well.

“We’re fit, we’ve super S & C guys with us. Fitness wasn’t an issue. We just took a player back to the midfield area. Our forwards worked very hard. These decisions happen they are part and parcel. Two points on the board means a lot. Look we looked at it as a block of three games. We looked at the Kerry game, Waterford and today. If you can’t compete with these teams in the league, how can you compete with them in the league.” Sullivan’s charges got off to a flying start and never looked back, despite a late onslaught from the Dubs. Lilywhites forward Neasa Dooley was also confident her side could match Dublin when speaking after the game.

“We’ve just come up these ranks. We knew we could match Dublin but it was a tough game. We know the forwards Dublin have are phenomenal. We wanted to keep that scoreboard tipping over and we did. Kerry next week is a big game against one of the top teams, but we’ll have to keep the heads held high.” 

Kildare came into the game following a disappointing defeat at the hands of Waterford last weekend, in the opening round of the league.

The Lilywhites were promoted to Division 1 for this season after they finished in the top two of Division 2 last year, alongside Tyrone. Unlike Kildare, Tyrone have struggled adjusting to life in Division 1 and have lost both of their opening two games.

Roisin Byrne who was instrumental for the victors throughout and stated that the win was special for the side “This is a special moment for us. Regardless of who it's against; it’s our first win in Division 1. To get a lead and maintain, shows how much we have matured.

You look to emulate teams like Dublin, with the conveyor belt of players they have, and I think we’re getting to that.” Kildare captain Laoise Lenihan also echoed Byrne’s points after the game. Lenihan also stated that the side were extremely disappointed with last week’s performance, and they wanted to put things right.

“We’re absolutely delighted with that win. We had to dig deep, and we did. At one stage in the first half, we kept them scoreless for 18 and 19 minutes, which gave us a lot of confidence. Kerry are a great team, we are a division one team now, we’re coming here not to get relegated we’re here to compete”, said Lenihan.

Next up for Kildare is a clash against All-Ireland champions, Kerry. This may be Kildare’s toughest league game on paper, however if last weekend is anything to go by, Kildare will be a stern test for the Kingdom. Sullivan’s side will face the reigning All-Ireland champions next Sunday in Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney at 1pm.