Nerney strikes late on to deny Kildare and seal Lidl Division 3 glory for Laois

LIDL NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 FINAL

Laois 2-10

Kildare 3-6

By RONAN O’NEILL

Mo Nerney scored the winning point as Laois were crowned Lidl National Football League Division 3 champions with victory over Kildare.

The O’Moore County will play Division 2 football next year following a thrilling derby in the sweltering heat of Baltinglass.

Nerney scored three points before the break but a couple of great saves from goalkeeper Eimear Barry ensured Laois held a 0-6 to 0-3 half-time advantage.

Neasa Dooley scored the first of her hat-trick of goals for Kildare after the restart, before Sarah Ann Fitzgerald cancelled that out with a goal for Laois. Nerney’s goal looked decisive but two more goals from Dooley brought Kildare back level only for Mo Nerney to pounce for the 59^th minute winner.

Laois played into a very strong breeze in the opening half but they took the lead in the second minute when Nerney scored and then doubled her tally from a free.

The Timahoe player helped set up Fiona Dooley for the third Laois point, but it was Barry who was Laois’ saviour down the other end when she pulled off a fantastic save to deny Grace Clifford.

Lara Curran registered Kildare’s first point from a 12 ^th minute free and Curran’s second free meant Laois’ lead was down to the minimum at the first water-break.

Once again Clifford cut through the Laois defence in the 18^th minute but was expertly denied by Barry once more. Eva Galvin ended a 16-minute drought when she scored Laois’ next and Nerney quickly fired over another score.

Rachel Williams got forward to extend the lead before half-time and Laois held a double-scores advantage.

Clifford found her range with a good point, but moments later she was denied by Barry again, only for the rebound to ricochet off Dooley and into the net. Kildare now held a 1-4 to 0-6 lead.

Nerney tied things up from a free and Fitzgerald gave Laois the lead. Curran levelled briefly but Fitzgerald slotted a goal after some good work from Mo Nerney.

When Mo Nerney scored her goal it looked as if Laois would canter to victory, but Dooley blasted a stunning goal from a free.

Orlaith Sullivan picked up a late yellow and Dooley completed her hat-trick before Nerney sealed the win in the last minute.

Scorers – Laois: M Nerney 1-5 (2f), S A Fitzgerald 1-1 (1f), F Dooley 0-1, E Galvin 0-1, R Williams 0-1, E Fitzpatrick 0-1. Kildare: N Dooley 3-0, L Curran 0-5 (4f), G Clifford 0-1.

LAOIS: E Barry; C Dunne, A Potts, A Kelly; R Williams, E Healy, L Nerney; F Dooley, J Moore; A Healy, E Galvin, E Fitzpatrick; M Nerney, S A Fitzgerald, A Havill. Subs: O Hennessy for Williams (36), L Tarpey for Havill (36), J Dunne for Dooley (41), A Kirrane for Galvin (54).

KILDARE: D McGinn; C Sullivan, L Lenehan, M Doherty; L Murtagh, L Gilbert, H McLoughlin; S O’Sullivan, G Kenneally; C Wheeler, L Curran, G Clifford; E Dowling, N Dooley, A Rattigan. Subs: S Kendrick for McLoughlin (30), T Duggan for Doherty (30), M McKenna for Wheeler (43), O Sullivan for Dowling (50), C Fagan Hynes for Murtagh (59).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).