Kildare 5-16

Westmeath 0-09

By Dónal Fitzpatrick

Kildare secured their place in this year's Leinster U16 'A' final after a comprehensive win over Westmeath, played on Wednesday night in Cusack Park, Mullingar. 

The home side started brightly missing early scoring opportunities, kicking the game’s first wide and missing a goal chance that went the wrong side of the post for Caoimhe Kilmurray. 

The visitors soon got into their stride and raced into a four point lead this was followed with the game’s opening goal slotted home by Leah McGovern. 

Westmeath had a chance to reduce the deficit via the penalty spot but Lisa Seery could only put her head in her hands as the ball bounced of the left upright and Kildare keeper Lauren De Courcy managed to clear. 

Westmeath’s opening score came just before the water break. A high lofted free struck by Jemma Seery bounced in front of goals panicking Kildare backs, but not Lisa Seery as she connected with the ball to fist over. 

Kildare rallied to tag on another three points, but the home side hit a purple patch defending well and breaking at pace forcing Kildare to foul. Emma Tumelty duly slotted over the resulting frees to leave it 1.07 to 0.03 at the second water break of the half. Tumelty & Aine Ditullio tagged on 2 more scores to bring the gap back to five.

Both sides missed scoring opportunities over the next few minutes and it was the visitors that settled the nerves to tag on three more points before the break to leave it - Kildare 1.10 Westmeath 0.05 at halftime. 

The visitors continued where the left off when play resumed tagging on two quick points. Westmeath net minder Ellie Temple was soon called into action pulling off a brilliant save from Leah McGovern’s shot to tip it out for a 45.

The home side pointed again and Temple was working hard as she saved from Grace Murtagh’s effort. However, the Lillies pressure meant it was only a matter of time before Westmeath’s defence would be breached. 

Kildare netted twice in quick succession. Substitute Caoimhe Ni Bhuircheal reacted quick as Leah McGovern’s shot came off the upright, catching the dropping ball she side stepped the keeper to tap in. Ni Bhuircheal added her second a few seconds later with a thunderous shot leaving Ellie Temple grasping at air as the ball zoomed by. 

Both management teams emptied their benches throughout the remainder of the half giving girls valuable game time and experience. Kildare’s Anna Price got the biggest cheer of the night, she was tigerish in her play forcing turnover and netted her side’s 5th goal to great applause from the travelling supporters. 

Westmeath were unlucky before the final whistle hitting the crossbar and it was Tegan Foley adding the final score to send the Lillies through to the final against Meath next week.

Kildare: Lauren De Courcy, Sarah Mcgovern, Zara Hurley, Katie Halpin 0.01, Olivia Monaghan, Eimear Glancy cpt, Orlaith Mahony, Joanne Ryan, Siofra Galvin 0.02, Erin Healy, Mayah Doyle 0.02, Grace Murtagh 0.02, Erin Brearton Foley 0.01free, Alannah Prizeman 1.01, Leah Mcgovern 1.06 3fs.

Subs: Caoimhe Smyth, Zara Beatty, Caoimhe Bagnall, Amy Nelson, Caoimhe O Sullivan, Grace Mountain, Saoirse O Gorman, Julia Brannigan, Teighan McGonagle, Meabh McGuire, Caoimhe Ni Bhuircheal 2.00, Anna Price 1.00, Edwina Birchall, Eimear Tuohy 0.01, Niamh Farrelly. 

Westmeath: Ellie Temple, Henreitta Kiernan, Kelly Burke, Neve Sweeney, Alanna Coogan, Tori Coyne, Aoife Collins, Tegan Foley 0.01, Claire Gaffney cpt, Jemma Seery, Aine Ditullio 0.01, Caoimhe Kilmurray 0.01, Claire O Donoghue, Lisa Seery 0.01, Emma Tumelty 0.05 4fs.

Subs: Caoimhe Morley, Phillipa Ruane, Caoilinn Elliffe, Emma Collins, Kayla McDonnell, Lillian Quinn, Sarah Conlon, Niamh McKenna, Rachel McKenna, Shauna Traynor, Sile Kearney, Kate Whyte, Emer Fogarty, Paige Matthews, Leah Fagan.

Referee. Kevin Phelan (Laois)

Photo Credit: Dónal Fitzpatrick