Larries ease into semi-final meeting with old foes Eadestown
Ciara Wheeler lines up a shot at the Balyna goal Photo: Aisling Hyland
DEFENDING champions, St Laurence’s, will renew rivalries with Eadestown in the semi-final of the 2026 Joe Mallon Motors Kildare LGFA SFC after they eased into the penultimate stage with a comprehensive victory over last year’s Intermediate Champions, Balyna on Tuesday evening..
There was a biting wind around Old Grange on Tuesday evening but the wind couldn’t match the bite of the Larries attack which had four goals on the scoreboard in the first thirteen minutes and added two more in the second half.
Balyna, to their credit, never dropped their heads and started both halves impressively but they showed a bit of naivety in defence and their kick out strategy let them down on the evening. Ciara Wheeler set Marie Kealy up for goal number one after just three minutes and a mix up in the Balyna defence allowed a Caoimhe O’Sullivan shot drop into the net three minutes later. The under-pressure visitors’ defence conceded goal number three when Kealy intercepted a kick out and added her second goal in the eight minute and goal number four came courtesy of Caoimhe O’Sullivan in the thirteenth minute after Balyna goalkeeper, Aibhe McKeon parried an initial shot. O’Sullivan and the hard-working Ciara Wheeler added points and the defending champions led 4-2 to 0-0 by the twentieth minute.
Thanks to the probing of Erica Burke, Robyn Hurley, Laura Carty and Aoibheann Ní Bhuircéal, Balyna never gave up and they opened their account with a Ní Bhuircéal free for a foul on Burke in the 23rd minute. Ailbhe Hennessy cancelled that one out with a fine point for the hosts but after a great build up Balyna wing back, Robyn Hurley got through for Balyna’s second point in the 24th minute. In the minutes before half time O’Sullivan and Ní Bhuircéal (free) for a foul on Aisling Holton, exchanged points to send the hosts in at half time leading comfortably 4-4 to 0-3.
Ní Bhuircéal got her third point from a free for a foul on Burke two minutes into the second half as Balyna started positively but they were knocked back by a brilliant individual goal by Larries midfielder, Gillian Wheeler and her midfield partner, Ciara Dempsey, added the sixth goal in the 45th minute, not only giving Balyna no chance of a comeback but also no chance of getting close to the defending champions.
A Ní Bhuircéal (free), for a foul on herself, and a point from her sister, half time substitute Caoimhe, closed the scoring for Balyna while Larries substitutes, Megan Alcock and Emma Dargan ended the Larries scores on the evening.
Larries will now travel to face former champions, Eadestown in the semi final on Tuesday 15 September, a repeat of the last two County Finals, with an early throw in expected.
Chloe Wright; Grace Nolan, Elaine Marron, Sadhbh Fennin; Eimear Glancy, Ava Marron, Niamh O’Connor; Gillian Wheeler 1-0, Ciara Dempsey 1-0; Emma Wheeler, Ciara Wheeler 0-1, Ailbhe Hennessy 0-1; Caoimhe O’Sullivan 2-2, Marie Kealy 2-0, Jean Miley: Subs: Megan Alcock 0-1 for Caoimhe O’Sullivan 39, Aoibheann O’Sullivan 0-1 for Ciara Dempsey 46, Emily Singleton for Grace Nolan 47, Isabelle Walsh for Sadhbh Fennin 52, Emma Dargan 0-1 for Emma Wheeler 52.
Ailbhe McKeon; Holly O’Keeffe, Sadie Cullinan, Lucy Cullinan; Robyn Hurley 0-1, Ellen Morgan, Megan Cooney; Erica Burke, Grace Gallagher; Laura Carty, Rachel Cribbin, Aoibheann Ní Bhuircéal 0-4 (4 frees); Médbh Carley, Aisling Holton, Lauren Dixon; SUBS: Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal 0-1 for Rachel Cribbin H/T, Caoimhe Farrell for Lauren Dixon H/T, Kate Hill for Médbh Carley 39.
Brian Foley
KILCULLEN 3-14 KILL 3-10
KILCULLEN will appear in the semi final of the Joe Mallon Motors Kildare LGFA SFC for the second year in a row after a closer than expected victory over Kill on Tuesday evening. Three goals from sharpshooter, Caoimhe Egan, seemed to have propelled the Rags into the semi final but Kill, who have worked their way up through the championship grades, fought back with late goals to make a right good game of the encounter on home soil. Kilcullen will face Division 1 League champions, Sarsfields in the second semi final also on Tuesday 15 September.
The Final is fixed for Friday 2 October.
St Laurence’s 6-7 Balyna 0-6
Kilcullen 3-14 Kill 3-10
Raheens 3-21 Kilcock 3-14 AET
Leixlip 2-11 Confey 0-4
Sallins 6-9 Celbridge 6-7
Two Mile House 2-18 Rathangan1-6
