Lidl NFL Div 3 Rd 7

Sligo v Kildare

Tubercurry Gaa

HT score Kildare 0.07 Sligo 1.07

FT score Kildare 1.12 Sligo 3.12

It was an early start for the Kildare team in making the long journey on Sunday morning heading for Tubercurry for the last round game of the Lidl NFL  v Sligo. Kildare needed a win to guarantee a semi-final spot. Unfortunately for the Kildare girls, Sligo put in a battling second period to come away with the spoils leaving Kildare ponder what might have been from points dropped in previous games they could and perhaps should have won.

The game was an entertaining affair with end to end action. Kildare started well and led 3 points to 1 in the early exchanges but Sligo came more into the game to draw level and push themselves 2 points clear at the midway stage. Both sides traded points before the games opening goal came scored by Lauren Boles who was proving to be a handful for Kildare's defence. Kildare responded well kicking 3 points in succession, the 3rd of these a free by Lara Curran awarded after Molly Price had been fouled resulting in the Sligo offending player shown a yellow card and sent to sin bin. Sligo ended the half with the next score a point from Lisa Casey to see her team lead 1.07 to Kildare's 0.07.

Kildare had the numerical advantage for the opening 8 minutes of the second half and made good use of it. Grace Clifford had the green flag raised with a great solo effort, picking the ball up in Midfield racing forward at pace skipping around tackles she coolly slotted home beyond the advancing Noelle Gormley to level the game. Neasa Dooley, Ciara Wheeler and Ellen Dowling followed with points to push Kildare into a 3 point lead.

Sligo now back to full compliment brought the game to Kildare. Rebecca McGuirk pulled off a fine save but Laura Ann Laffey gathered the rebound to tap over. A goal soon followed for the home side with Lauren Boles fortunate effort dropping over Kildare's netminder Rebecca McGuirk as it dipped under the crossbar totally deceiving her. Sligo tagged on 3 points in a row before Ciara Wheelers stemmed the flow with a point reducing the deficit to 2 points.

Sligo defended well and overturned Kildare attacks on numerous occasions resulting in them scoring their 3rd and the games 4th goal with Emma Keavney netting from close range. The home side had their tails up and tagged on 2 more points leaving Kildare's Orlaith Sullivan pointing the last score of the contest to see Sligo advance to the Div 3 semifinals on a full-time score Sligo 3.12 Kildare 1.12

Lidl NFL Division 3 semi-finals

Meath v Longford

Sligo v Roscommon

Games to be played weekend April 20/21

Kildare team: Rebecca McGuirk, Claire Sullivan, Shauna Kendrick, Gemma Hartnett, Louise Scully Lara Gilbert, Trina Duggan, Sarah Munnelly, Grace Clifford, Laura Curran, Ciara Wheeler, Molly Price, Ellen Dowling, Neasa Dooley, Rachel Cribbin.

Kildare Subs: Cliodhna Malone, Rachel Corrigan, Mikaela Mckenna, Aoife Rattigan, Michelle Curley, Paula Doran, Amy Heffernan, Amy Horan, Dervla McGinn, Rose Mernagh, Siobhan O Sullivan, Orlaith Sullivan, Clara Wosser.

Kildare scores: Grace Clifford 1.01, Lara Curran 0.04 (2Fs), Ciara Wheeler 0.03, Ellen Dowling 0.01,Neasa Dooley 0.02, Orlaith Sullivan 0.01

Kildare subs used: Orlaith Sullivan for Claire Sullivan, Siobhan O Sullivan for Molly Price, Aoife Rattigan for Sarah Munnelly, Mikaela Mckenna for Ellen Dowling, Rachel Corrigan for Louise Scully

Sligo team: Noelle Gormley, Aoife Morrisroe, Gráinne o Loughlin, Jacqui Mulligan capt, Michelle McNamara, Bernice Byrne, Ann Marie Colman, Ruth Goodwin, Laura Ann Laffey, Lauren Boles, Ciara Gorman, Sinead Naughton, Jemma Brehany Emma Keavney, Lisa Casey.

Sligo Subs: Rachel Quigley, Una Higgins, Leah Kelly, Elaine O Reilly, Nicole Brennan, Kelly Ann Henry, Claire Dunne, Sinead Regan, Oda Carty, Jade Lyons, Aine Gilligan, Ciara Gilroy, Rachel Monaghan, Katie Walsh, Karen Malone.

Sligo scores: Laura Ann Laffey 0.01,Lauren Boles 2.04,Ciara Gorman 0.03(2Fs),Emma Keavney 1.00, Lisa Casey 0.03,Nicola Brennan 0.01

Sligo Subs used: Nicola Brennan for Gráinne O Loughlin, Sinead Regan for Aoife Morrisroe, Una Higgins for Sinead Naughton, Leah Kelly for Lisa Casey, Jemma Brehany for Sinead Regan.

Referee: Shaun McLoughlin (Donegal)