Dublin Impress with Kildare Victory

PAUL Gilheaney’s Dublin booked their place in another TG4 Leinster ladies senior football championship final with a big win over Kildare in Saturday’s semi-final.

And for the second successive year, their final opponents will be neighbours Meath, who produced their best performance in a long time to stun Laois in Summerhill on Sunday afternoon.

Meath scored a 3-7 to 1-8 victory in what was a repeat of the 2011 provincial decider between the counties.

And now the Royals to make it third time lucky in a Leinster final after losing to Laois two year ago and Dublin in 2012.

This summer’s showpiece will be contested at Carlow’s Dr. Cullen Park on July 13 and Meath ensured that they would be there with a five-point win.

Sinead Coyle, who scored two goals against Westmeath in Meath’s championship opener, netted a first half penalty before Jenny Rispin added another goal approaching half-time to put Meath in firm control.

But Tracey Lawlor’s goal brought Laois back into it before the break and at half-time, Meath led by 2-5 to 1-3.

With less than ten minutes remaining, Meath had tagged on just one more point as Laois brought themselves within touching distance with four.

But Aine Bennett settled Meath’s nerves with a third goal three minutes from time – the second converted penalty of the game.

In a tie pockmarked by four sin-binnings – two for each team – Meath goalkeeper Irene Munnelly was inspired as she pulled off a string of fine saves.

Meath’s defence held firm and with the breeze at their backs in the opening half, the home side produced impressive championship fare that belied the form that saw them relegated from Division 1 of the Tesco Homegrown National League.

Meanwhile, Dublin made sure of their place in the final as they ran out 3-17 to 1-12 winners against Kildare in Saturday’s clash at Naomh Mearnóg.

Kildare were in contention until midway through the first half before Dublin scored two goals in a minute, with Sinead Goldrick and Lindsey Davey on target.

Dublin led by double scores at half-time – 2-10 to 1-5 – as Aine Gately responded with a Kildare goal on the stroke of half-time.

But 2010 All-Ireland champions Dublin added a third goal with six minutes remaining, scored by Natalia Hyland, to wrap up an impressive win for the Jackies. Beaten Leinster semi-finalists Laois and Kildare will now attempt to revive their championship campaigns through the All-Ireland qualifiers.

 

Results:

 

TG4 Leinster ladies SFC semi-finals.

 

Dublin 3-17 Kildare 1-12

 

Meath 3-7 Laois 1-8

 

By Jackie Cahill