Parnell Park
KildareDublin v Galway
GalwayDublin v Kerry
KerryWexford v Kildare
Lilywhites Through To All Ireland Final
Kildare have beaten Wexford by a score-line of 1-04 to 0-02 to reach the final of the All Ireland Intermediate Football Championship.
It was a tight contest from start to finish, but it’s the Lilywhites who benefited from a late goal to seal the victory, ending Wexford's run of consecutive All Ireland appearances. They meet Clare in a rematch of the Division 3 Final and the 2016 All Ireland Final.
It was a fast start to this semi-final, with three scores inside the opening four minutes. Kildare looked strong from the onset, running hard lines and producing some wonderfully skilful passes to break down Wexford’s defence.
Roisin Byrne opened the scoring in the second minute with a wonderful score from open play, Byrne finding herself in a tricky position on the left flank. She struck the ball cleanly, and watched as it sailed through the posts to open the game’s scoring.
From the resulting kick out, Kildare won back possession and doubled their lead through Aoife Rattigan, who pounced on the Wexford missed reception and slotted the ball easily over the bar. Enjoying complete control in the opening four or five minutes, it looked as if things could get out of hand.
Wexford responded well and produced a score for themselves just one minute later, Amy Walsh taking her chance very well, halving Kildare’s lead. It would not be until the 18th minute that Wexford would draw level, the game slowing down in its pace. Both sides were defending intensely, neither side allowing an inch to be gained. A Chloe Fox free would pull the sides level, but arguably Wexford should have been ahead.
The story of the half was Wexford’s three wides, two coming from Chloe Fox from frees that she would have expected to score. She looked far from her usual ruthless self in the opening half, and a Lara Curran strike for Kildare saw the Lilywhites head into the break with a narrow one-point lead.
The second half began the same way the first half finished, with Kildare enjoying the majority of the possession, but unable to really extend their lead. Wexford, to their credit, put up a stubborn defence, preventing Kildare from bringing the game beyond reach. The Lilywhites were able to break down the Wexford defence in the 36th minute, and increased their lead to two thanks to a Roisin point in the 36th minute.
With the difference between the two sides just two points, it was anybody’s game. However, the game-deciding moment came late in the second half. From a Wexford kick-out, the ball was being passed around the defenders. Clara Donnelly picked up the ball close to her goal and attempted a hand pass to Bernie Breen on the right-hand flank, but her attempt was blocked down by Kildare’s Neasa Dooley.
Dooley anticipated the pass, putting her body in the way of the pass and pulled off a fantastic block. The forward then found herself one-on-one with Sophie Lenehan in the Wexford goal, who was scarperring back to her goal-line having been part of the outfield possession. Dooley, knowing that Lenehan was unprepared and off of her line, drilled a low curling shot to the left of Lenehan. The shot swerved around the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, putting Kildare in a powerful position to see out the win.
Late yellow cards to Wexford’s Sarah Harding-Kenny and Kildare’s Claire Sullivan were conciliations, making no effect on the overall result of the game.
It was far from the high-scoring encounters that we have become used to when these two sides face each other, but the only thing that mattered today was the result. Kildare make it three wins over their Leinster rivals this season, and are through to the All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship Final.
Their possession-based style of play this afternoon limited Wexford’s time on the ball, limiting their chances. They were patient throughout the game and used their experience and know-how to produce a controlled win.
Down v Carlow
Swail Strikes Late In Dramatic End To Junior Semi-Final
Orla Swail's late goal was the catalyst in Down beating Carlow 1-09 to 0-08 to reach the Junior Football Championship Final in what was a thrilling contest in a wet and windy Parnell Park
There was some excellent football on display this afternoon despite the horrendous conditions in Dublin, as both teams adapted their game-plans well, forcing mistakes from each other, whilst showing great skill to perform under pressure.
Carlow got off to a bright start, scoring two early points in the third and fourth minute through Edel Hayden and Sinead Hayden. The Hayden’s took early advantage of the adverse weather conditions to win back the ball in dangerous positions, and were able to punish Down, who were experiencing a slower start to the game. Carlow’s early points seemed to spark Down into life, however, as scores from Eimear Fitzpatrick and Natasha Ferris in the fifth minute levelled the scoring instantly, Carlow’s lead lasting just two minutes.
Aimee O’Higgins was on hand one minute later to score Down’s third point in two minutes, now taking control of the game. It was a brilliant score from O’Higgins, who produced a powerful run to distance herself from her defender, before calmly converting a difficult shot through the posts.
More scores from Ferris and Fitzpatrick would give Down a three-point advantage in the 15th minute in what was a good ten minutes to respond to going two points behind. Down were beginning to dominate the game, and looked to add to the scoreboard, however, Carlow responded well to squash the momentum Down had gained in this opening period.
Late change Rachel Sawyer was lively in this first half, scoring in the 15th and 26th minute to reduce Down’s deficit to just two points, her scores separated by another Natasha Ferris score.
Carlow made a bright start to the second half, scoring a point through Rachel Sawyer again, this time inside a minute of the restart as they looked to close the deficit as soon as possible. Cliodhna Ni She was on target in the 37th minute, with Sawyer converting again in the 40th minute to tie the scores with twenty minutes to play. Sawyer had a brilliant game for Carlow, scoring four points, keeping Carlow within reach of Down for the majority of the game.
When Meghan Doherty was shown a yellow card in the 53rd minute, and with Carlow playing with all the momentum, it looked as if the tide might turn in Carlow’s favour. However, the game was ultimately decided in the 55th minute when substitutes Kate McKay and Orla Swail combined to score a goal for Down. McKay produced a powerful run through the centre of the Carlow defence, drawing the defenders, before then offloading the ball to Swail, who powered her shot to the right of Carlow goalkeeper Nicole Hanley.
Carlow will be left disappointed and frustrated with a refereeing decision in the 50th minute, as Cliodhna Ni She scored a goal from a free-in, only for it to be disallowed for apparently encroaching too far from where the free was given. Carlow argued that the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball and thus the goal should stand, but the goal was disallowed and play continued. What a momentum shift that would have been!
Heartbreak for Carlow yet again, who bow out in the semi-finals again this year. Delight for Down, who progress to the final of the Junior Football Championship.
CarlowDublin 1-9 – 2-8 Kerry
Kerry survived a late fightback from Dublin, to record an opening win in their pursuit to return to Croke Park this summer for an All Ireland Final, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh with a player of the match display. The West Kerry Sharpshooter kicked 1-6 in the win for the Kingdom, with captain Siofra O’Shea netting a goal in the second half, as the Kingdom only registered four scorers, as Hannah O’Donoghue and Niamh Ni Chonchuir both notched points. Carla Rowe and Hannah Tyrell were the main scoring threat for the Dubs, 0-3 and 0-5 for their tally respectively, they fall just short but it was a real championship battle they will learn and grow from in the coming weeks. It was a real championship clash between these two old rivals right from the off, Dublin through Hannah Tyrrell looked to have the opening score but that dragged wide, however direct running from Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh, saw the Kerry forward fist over the opening score in the first minute. Dublin found their reply through Kate Sullivan, their shooting a little wayward at times, their counterparts however notably Ni Mhuircheartaigh, were not having issues on the scoring front, a long range effort going into the net over Abby Shiels for the games opening goal in the third minute. Another point from the Kerry forward made it 1-2 to 0-1, the Kingdom cruising, but Dublin immediately hit back, Caoimhe O’Connor made a great run at the Kerry defence, beating the tackle of Louise Galvin, she passed inside for Orlagh Nolan to gather and hit the net and leave a point between the sides after ten minutes. Ni Mhuircheartaigh was putting on a show for the Kingdom, converting a free from distance to put them two ahead, she dropped another short at the end of the opening quarter that almost saw Siofra O’Sha notch a second goal for the Kingdom, but Shiels did well to save and in the follow up the Dubs had a free out. Either side of Hannah Tyrrell converting a free to end a 20 minute wait for Dublin’s second point, the West Kerry native added her fourth and fifth points of the afternoon to put Kerry three points ahead, scoring all of her side's scores in a 22 minute spell. Wides were starting to add up for the hosts, but Carla Rowe hit a monster score that looked to bring new life into her side, but they struggled to add a further score for the remainder of the half, Kerry through Hannah O’Donoghue made it a three point margin going into the break. Kerry kickstarted the half with Niamh Ni Chonchuir putting four between the sides, but some ill discipline at the back saw Dublin awarded a penalty as Kerry could only foul to prevent Dublin creating a chance, Rowe stepped up and sent her effort to the bottom left corner where Ciara Butler dived to get a strong hand and push it away. While the Dubs failed to get three, they would settle for Tyrrell converting a free to again leave three between them, Kerry once again however looked dangerous in attack, Ni Mhuircheartaigh turned provider to find Cait Lynch running in space, she spotted O’Shea running toward the Dublin goal and played the killer pass before the Kerry captain palmed home their second goal. They continued to reach their ascendancy as Ni Mhuircheartaigh made it 2-8 to 1-4 with another killer free, Dublin stayed on their tails as Tyrrell and Rowe both added points, trying to ignite the spark in a comeback and drive them back into the tie, as they trailed by five going into the final quarter. Dublin kept taking their scores and it was Rowe and Tyrrell who were leading by example, cutting Kerry’s lead down to just three points once again, the Kingdom would lose Emma Costello to a yellow card just before Tyrrell pointed a free. Tyrrell kicked her fifth point to make it a nervy finish just two between the teams, Kayleigh Cronin was the next Kerry player to go to the sin-bin as she was carded for a harsh tackle, but the Kingdom held firm in an anxious wait for the hooter to sound, plenty of mileage put on from this frantic tie.
Kerry Survive Dubs Comeback To Win Opening Group Tie
Antrim v Leitrim
LeitrimDublin 0-10 – 1-8 Meath
Leinster SFC: Meath edge Dublin
Emma Duggan’s second half goal proved to be the difference as reigning All Ireland Champions, Meath, defeated rivals Dublin by 1-8 to 0-10 at Parnell Park.
BY AISLING CLEARY
The sides were level at four points apiece at the break and a strong attack in the third quarter pushed Meath over the line to victory.
This was Meath’s first game in the Leinster Senior Championship since 2016, and they dominated the early exchanges. Stacey Grimes got Meath on the scoreboard first from a free on three minutes. Vikki Wall added the first point from play and from some distance two minutes later after a well-timed pass from Niamh O’Sullivan.
While Dublin tried to get a foothold in the game, Meath pushed into a three point lead with Grimes hitting a second free on eleven minutes. On the resumption, Nicole Owens curled a terrific effort around the posts to get Dublin off the mark.
A game that was end to end, Sinead Wylde reduced the gap to two points when Lyndsey Davey found her in space. However, this was cancelled out when Niamh O’Sullivan supplied Aoibhin Cleary and the TG4 All Star finished over the bar.
Kate Sullivan completed a terrific run when she split the posts to leave Dublin one adrift and the game was level on twenty-eight minutes when Jennifer Dunne found her range. At half time, there was nothing to separate the sides at four points each.
On the resumption, Grimes converted her third free before Niamh O’Sullivan pushed Meath into a two point lead a minute later.
Meath opened up a five point gap when Wall and Grimes exchanged and found Emma Duggan who rifled past Abby Shiels in the Dublin goal. Dublin were unlucky at the other end as Caoimhe O’Connor saw her effort rebound off the upright.
Vikki Wall grabbed her second point and pushed Meath into a six point lead when she ran from the centre of the field and converted while Grimes added her fourth free to make it a seven point game shortly after.
Two quick fire Kate Sullivan points reignited the Dublin attack and Hannah Tyrrell pointed to bring the gap back to four with around ten minutes left on the clock. Dublin almost found the goal they needed when Sinead Goldrick spotted Lyndsey Davey behind the Meath defence, but she couldn’t connect with the pass.
Martha Byrne and Goldrick both pointed to reduce the gap to two with time running out. Dublin lost Lauren Magee to the sin bin in the final moments and when Aoife Kane converted, Dublin were just a single score adrift. However, Meath kept a stranglehold on possession and did enough to hang on to a one point victory.
Meath will face Westmeath in Páirc Tailteann next Saturday at 3pm in Round 3.
Meath
Roscommon