Leinster u14 champ Rd 3

Kildare 5-16

Louth 0-03

By Dónal Fitzpatrick

Kildare booked their place in this year's Leinster U14 A Championship final after they secured a comprehensive win over Louth, played in Radley Park, Leixlip on Saturday afternoon.

The wet and windy conditions made ball handling difficult while footing underneath was very difficult for players. As a result, the opening half was a relatively low scoring affair. Aoibheann Birchall grabbed the only goal of the opening half as Kildare led at the half time break by 1-06 to 0-02.

Unfortunately for Louth, it was Kildare that pushed on throughout the second period. Goals from Ruth Dillon, Ailbhe Hennessy, Leah Tyrell and Captain Freya Healy polished off a fine performance from the home side. Sarah Lynch split the posts for Louth and while it wasn't enough to reduce the deficit, it was received with a great response from both sets of supporters clapping and cheering as it drifted over the bar. Kildare eased to victory in the finish on a full-time score of 5-16 to 0-03.

Kildare now advance to play Meath in the provincial decider next weekend, details to be announced.

Kildare: Lily Mullarkey, Esa Heslin, Casey Noone, Maise Molloy, Lucy Cullinan 0.01, Aisling Irhue, Hannah Corrigan, Amy Tyrell, Aine McNally, Clodagh Berrigan 0.01, Tara Rafferty 0.02, Megan Alcock, Aoibheann Birchall 1.02, Brooke Downey Lynch, Ruth Dillon 1.03

Subs: Aoibhe McKeon, Liky O Connor, Roisin Kinch, Ailbhe Hennessy 1.00, Holy Telford, Ava Kelly 0.01, Anna Coburn, Eimear Behan 0.01, Bryana Abbey 0.01, Leah Tyrell 1.00, Freya Healy cpt 1.04 (1f), Kate Kealy, Ava Conlon, Katie Ray, Sarah Morrin.

Louth: Alice Kearns, Billie Mynes, Ellen Callan, Tara White, Molly Whately, Eimear Callaghan, Rachel Owens, Aislinn White, Tara O’Connor, Ciara Boyle, Sarah Lynch 0.01, Darcey Devlin, Chloe Boyle cpt 0.01 (1f), Siabh Morgan 0.01, Ciara Quigley,

Subs: Emma Goodman, Keelan Bewley, Laoise, Chanda, Grace Conway, Niamh Moroney, Naoise Gray, Lindsey Taaffe, Lucy Taaffe, Shayla Hollywood, Niamh Ni Chriosta, Alex Healy, Tara Dignam, Amy Murray.

Ref: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath)

Photo Credit: Karl Gormley