Our minor team have followed up on yesterday’s U16 success, beating Kildare in the Leinster Minor B semi-final on a warm afternoon in Annanough today.
Today was an exhibition of football, with both sides going toe-to-toe for the entire 80 minutes.
Lucie O’Reilly opened her account with a free in the first minute of the game after a foul on Aideen Gee, resulting in a yellow card for the Lilywhites early on. Kildare levelled through Aoibheann Birchall. Gee was proving to be a handful for Kildare after she was fouled twice more, Niamh Dundon converted one free off and O’Reilly added her second, either side of a Jessica McNulty point. Birchall (free) levelled affairs for Kildare. Clodagh Fingleton and Katie O’Reilly were steadfast in defence for Laois, making vital interceptions and turnovers early on in the game.
After 13 mins, Kaylah O’Mara seen her shot hit the post. Aideen Gee won another free around the halfway point of the game, with O’Reilly tacking another score on the board for Laois. Dundon followed up win an excellent score to push Laois two ahead. Lara Culleton cut through the Kildare defence to get Laois’ sixth score. Abi Swift pulled off a super save to keep her side ahead. Kildare’s McNulty added her second, with Dundon responding to keep Laois three ahead after a brilliant interception by Katie O’Reilly. Laois were then pegged back by Kildare with a point from Amy Jones (free) and two points from Aisling Nolan. There was a lengthy delay before half time as Kildare’s Rachel Dooley suffered a bad head injury – we wish her all the best in her recovery. HT Laois 0-7 Kildare 0-7.
Mia Branagan got Laois firing after the interval with a point from play. Dundon then found herself through on goals but opted for the point. Swift again pulled off a super save with captain Sarah McDonald clearing her lines. O’Reilly added another point for Laois after Branagan was fouled, Laois were three ahead again. Another strong hand from Swift kept Kildare out. Two frees from Nolan and Birchall clawed Kildare back into the game. Branagan added her second point of the afternoon. However, Kildare got in for their first goal of the game off the boot of Ciara Dempsey, as Kildare now led for the first time. Disaster then struck for Kildare as Dempsey was shown a straight red for an off the ball incident with a Laois defender half-way through the second half. Nolan added another point as Kildare edged two points clear.
Laois never felt the benefit of the extra player, as Dundon was sinbinned shortly after for persistent fouling. O’Reilly added another free for Laois after Gee was fouled. Branagan added her third off her left boot to level affairs for Laois. Jones pushed Kildare one ahead again, but O’Reilly got Laois’ last gasp equalising score from a free, and then found herself defending the goal mouth to bring the game to extra time. FT Laois 0-14 Kildare 1-11.
Kildare returned to their full compliment for extra-time. Lara Culleton made a blistering run through the Kildare defence at the start of the first half, taking a lovely point. Kildare equalised again through substitute Áine Murnane. O’Reilly added another free, followed by a well-taken point from Laois’ substitute Laura Carroll. The combination of a Swift save and McDonald clearance occurred again, keeping Laois’ nose in front. Kildare kept the scoreboard ticking through a Murnane point. Two crucial scores before half-time from O’Reilly (free) and Dundon edged Laois three ahead at the interval. Laois 0-19 Kildare 1-13.
The final ten minutes began with O’Reilly getting another score straight from the throw-in. Dundon then rattled the Kildare net to push Laois seven points ahead. Kildare never gave up and chipped away at the Laois lead. Birchall added another point and then blasted a 21-metre free into the back of the Laois net. Another Birchall free cut the gap to two, but Laois held on for an emphatic victory.
Once again, Laois’ hardwork was admirable today. Outstanding performances were seen all over the pitch. Kaylah O’Mara at wing forward put in a huge shift, working tirelessly to link defence into attack. Aideen Gee and Cara English were phenomenal – covering every blade of grass on the pitch. The Park Ratheniska duo of Mary O’Hara and Poppy Duff injected energy and directness into every run, driving Laois forward. Aine Carter at corner back and Niamh Kehoe at wing back were tenacious in their tackling, combining for countless crucial turnovers. Substitutes Laura Carroll, Holly Murphy, Laoise Dunne and Niamh Ryan brought incredible energy – right when Laois needed it most.
FT Laois 1-20 Kildare 2-15
Laois now have a shot at defending their Minor B Championship title on Saturday 25th April. Fixture details TBC soon. Well done team & management.
Team: Abi Swift (St. Paul’s), Aine Carter (Ballyroan), Katie O’Reilly (St. Brigid’s), Sarah McDonald (C) (Portlaoise), Niamh Kehoe (Timahoe), Clodagh Fingleton (Park Ratheniska), Mary O’Hara (Park Ratheniska), Lara Culleton (Portlaoise), Poppy Duff (Park Ratheniska), Caras English (Killeshin), Niamh Dundon (Timahoe), Kaylah O’Mara (Ballyroan), Aideen Gee (Ballyroan), Lucie O’Reilly (St. Brigid’s), Mia Branagan (Graiguecullen). Subs: Laura Carroll (St. Conleths) for Poppy Duff, Holly Murphy (Ballyfin) for Cara English, Laoise Dunne (Ballyroan) for Aideen Gee, Niamh Ryan (Shanahoe) for Mary O’Hara.
By Aoife Langford Sun 19th Apr
