Victories for Laois, Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford in Leinster

In complete contrast to last weekend, supporters attending this weekend’s TG4 Leinster IFC basked in beautiful sunshine with small margins making the difference in all three of Sunday’s round robin games. Both Kildare and Wicklow came from behind to see off Longford and Louth respectively, while Laois clung on to victory by a single point against Offaly. On Friday night, Wexford came out on top after a huge battle against Carlow.

Kildare made it two wins from two outings, but they did it the hard way as they came from behind against Longford in Drumlish. Longford got off to a perfect start as Michelle Farrell hit 1-2 inside the opening quarter. Kildare stayed in touch thanks to Lara Curran’s frees and Grace Clifford levelled the game on eighteen minutes. However, Longford resumed the lead when Michelle Farrell found the net once more. Points from Ciara Wheeler and Aoife Rattigan ensured the Lilies only trailed by one point at the break; 0-07 to 2-02.

The second half was end to end and evenly balanced and Kildare took back the lead when Ciara Wheeler netted on forty minutes. Michelle Farrell reduced the gap back to one immediately and the teams traded scores with Orlaith Sullivan and Curran pointing for Kildare while a Grace Shannon free and a Clodagh Lohan point saw Longford trail by one. Grace Shannon levelled the game on 53 minutes, but Kildare did not settle and an Ellen Dowling point ensured Sean Finnegan’s troops put one foot into a semi final with Round Three next weekend away against Carlow, while Longford face a trip to Wexford.

Meanwhile, in MW Hire O’Moore Park, Laois secured their second win of this year’s Championship as they battled near neighbours Offaly in a thrilling encounter. Emma Lawlor scored nine points and was a constant threat. Laois trailed by two at the break, despite Laura Marie Maher hitting the net twice in as many minutes in the opening half. Offaly were impressive with Saorah Doyle and Ellee McEvoy to the fore for the League Champions. Laois were reduced to fourteen when Ellen Healy was sinbinned and Offaly took advantage as a Doyle point and a goal from Ciara Walsh gave them a two point lead at the break; 1-09 to 2-04.

Maher pointed on the restart, but Saorah Doyle pushed Offaly further ahead with a brace of points. Emma Lawlor and Anna Healy reduced the deficit but Offaly pushed ahead once more through Eve Reilly. Laois hit back and points from Clare Conlon and Emma Lawlor levelled the game once more with ten minutes left on the clock. Emma Lawlor hit the winner for Laois late on and while Maria Byrne did point for Offaly, they will be left rueing missed chances as their final chance went wide of the post. Laois will now look to round three and a home tie against Wicklow next weekend while Offaly face a trip to Louth.

Basked in sunshine, Wicklow avenged their National League defeat when they saw off Louth in Baltinglass. Louth were three points to one ahead after 21 minutes and they maintained that lead at the half time break. Marie Kealy, who finished with 0-05 to her name, reduced the deficit to one, before Laura Hogan levelled matters for Wicklow from distance. With the game hanging in the balance, Siofra Adams pushed Wicklow into a single point lead before Kealy insured the win with a point on the resumption and Leighton Glynn’s side hung on for the first victory in their Championship campaign with a visit to Laois next weekend while Louth will host Offaly.

On Friday night, a strong second half showing gave Wexford their first Championship win when they defeated home side Carlow. They were made to do it the hard way though as Carlow got off to a bright start. Rachel Sawyer found the net early on. Wexford responded well and an Aisling Murphy goal pushed Wexford into a three point lead midway through the half. Carlow responded well and points from Sawyer, Sara Doyle and Dannah O’Brien levelled the game at 1-3  each. However, Wexford battled back and five unanswered scores ensured the visitors took a five point lead into the break.

The second half was a quieter affair and while Sara Doyle and Niamh Kelly kept the scoreboard going for Carlow, Wexford added points from Catriona Murray, Amy Walsh and Roisin Murphy to seal the win on a 1-14 to 1-06 scoreline. Next weekend, Wexford host Longford while Carlow will welcome Kildare.

 

RESULTS:

Friday 22^nd April

Carlow 1-06 v 1-14 Wexford

Sunday 24^th April

Wicklow 0-08 v 0-06 Louth

Laois 2-12 v 1-14 Offaly

Longford 2-07 v 1-11 Kildare

 

FIXTURES

Sunday 1^st May – Throw in = 2pm

Louth v Offaly – Louth venue

Laois v Wicklow – Laois venue

Carlow v Kildare – Carlow venue

Wexford v Longford – Wexford venue