Wee County’s Leinster dream dashed
AFTER making a dream start Louth minors came up short against a strong Kildare team in the Leinster Minor ‘B’ final on Sunday.
Louth won the toss and were first on the scoreboard after 20 seconds with a goal low into the bottom left hand corner from Niamh Rice, after a fine run from the skilful Lauren Boyle. Kildare were guilty of poor decision making in the first ten minutes of the game but settled after Neasa Dooley hit two points, one from play and one from a free.
Hazel McLoughlin ran through the middle to pop one over and settle her side.
Boyle always looked dangerous throughout the game and she secured two more points for her side. Lara Curran and Ali Cullen linked well to set Nanci Murphy up for Kildare’s first goal and after this the Lillies pressed on opening a 4-7 Louth 1-2 half-time lead.
And Kildare began the second half with a point from the throw in from the excellent Aislinn Dooley. Lauren Boyle responded with a point for Louth before midfielder Grace Treanor was sin-binned for a high tackle.
Aislinn Dooley and Molly Aspel clocked up two more scores however Kildare had a number of scoring opportunities in this period of play that were not converted.
Claire Nugent and Leah McCormack added second-half goals for the Lilywhites, but Louth refused to give up and a fine goal from Rachel McNally and frees from Niamh Rice and Bronagh McArdle defined their spirit.
Kildare were awarded a penalty in the dying moment after Aislinn Dooley was taken down. Neasa Dooley stepped up to take but her shot ricocheted off the post to leave the score at full time: Kildare 6-14 Louth 2-05
Best for Kildare on the day was the impressive Lara Gilbert at full back, Lauren Murtagh, Lara Curran and Ali Cullen for their great support play up and down the pitch, Nanci Murphy who looked dangerous whenever she was on the ball and the highly impressive Aislinn Dooley who scored 1-3 from midfield.
Louth had stalwarts in captain Bronagh McArdle and Lauren Boyle who unfortunately got injured in the second half. KILDARE: C. Farrell, C. Regan, L. Gilbert, E. Birch, L. Murtagh, C. Downey, A. Cullen, H. McLoughlin, A. Dooley 1-3, C. Nugent 1-0, L. Curran 0-4, M. Aspel 0-2, N. Dooley 1-2, N. Murphy 1-0, M. Dagg 1-0. Subs: E. Kehoe for C. Regan, T. Kemmy for N. Murphy, L. McCormack 1-0 for H. McLoughlin 0-1, C. Ennis 0-2 for C. Nugent, J. Deay for A. Cullen