Leinster Minor champ Rd 2

Pairc Tailteann, Navan. 

Meath v Kildare

Referee Finbarr Shanahan Dublin

HT. Meath.1.02  Kildare 1.09

FT. Meath. 2.10  Kildare 2.14 

Kildare made it two wins from two outings in the second round of the Leinster Minor Championship. Kildare led by seven points at half time with Niamh Farrelly scoring Kildare's goal. That lead was cut to two points in the early exchanges of the 2nd half, and a right battle ensued between the sides all the way to the final whistle, with Kildare just managing to keep their noses in front by four on the stroke of full time. 

Ava Cullen pointed for the visitors but that was cancelled out when Meath's Orlaith Mallon cut through to level matters. A pointed free from Niamh Farrelly was followed with the game's opening goal as Farrelly shot home from close range to give Kildare a bit of breathing space. Kildare supporters while still applauding the goal got a loud response from the home support, as with the resulting kick-out Meath cut through Kildares defence where Tori Foster got on the end of a deft pass played in between two Kildare backs to easily slip the ball under the advancing Net minder Claudia Keenan. It was like a clap of thunder such was the approval from the home supporters. 

Kildare responded well with four points in a row through Edwina Birchall 2, Siofra Galvin and Sophi Ngai before Meath responded through Orlaith Mallon. Kildare were the happier as they tagged on 3 more points to lead by 7 pts at the break; Meath 1.02 Kildare 1.09 

Half time substitute Roisin Mc Manus had the desired affect for the home side with two quickfire points to get back to within five of Kildare. The sides traded points before Sophie Ngai had another green flag raised for the girls in white. Conceding the goal drove the Meath team high up the pitch, Kildare were unable to get out of their half such was the pressure. Points from Amy O'Leary and McManus was followed with Meath's second goal when Kildare keeper, Keenan gifted her kickout to the alert McManus who made no mistake. The Royals tagged on another two points to get to within a single score. Meath were unlucky not to net again only for Keenan to redeem her earlier mistake to make a fine double save, and earn herself a free out. 

Kildare regrouped and shook off the shackles of their host's pressure. A pointed free from Erin Brereton Foley was followed with two more through Farrelly and captain Amy Larn to push Kildare four clear. Kildare slowed the game down, holding possession being patient probing for another score and were rewarded when Ngai broke through and slotted over. Meath did have the final say when McManus pointed bringing her personal tally for the day to 1. 05 but it was to be Kildare's day on this occasion holding on to win on a full-time score; Kildare 2.14 Meath 2.10. Kildare headed home from Navan sitting on top of the group with 2 wins from 2. 

Next up for Kildare is an away trip to play Dublin on May 21st while Meath will face Laois on the same day. 

Kildare team: Claudia Keenan, Aine Mernagh, Eimear Glancy, Niamh Hayes, Olivia Monaghan, Ruth Sargent, Siofra Galvin 0.02, Amy Larn  Captain 0.01, Mayah Doyle, Edwina Birchall 0.02, Sophie Ngai 1.03, Ava Cullen 0.01, Grace Murtagh, Niamh Farrelly 1.04 (2fs), Muireann O Loughlin  

Kildare Subs: Niamh Barnes, Molly O Loughlin, Hannah Breen, Siofra Kelly, Katie Halpin, Erin Brereton Foley 0.01, Ciara Kelly, Keavy Collins, Ciara Mc Donald, Anna Carpenter, Eimear Reilly, Zara Beatty, Joy Duggan, Abbie Pender, Claudia Gray

Meath Team: Robyn Murray, Tiana Kyle captain, Lisa Browne, Nicole Troy, Laura Hassett, Ciara Lawlor, Lily Dwyer, Amy O Leary 0.01, Tori Foster 1.00, Olivia Callan 0.01, Ciara Smyth, Sinead Murphy, Orlaith Mallon 0.02, Aideen Reilly, Elena Kennedy 0.01 

Meath Subs: Caitlin O Higgins, Emily McCann, Ellie Murphy, Sarah Caulfield, Aoife Carey, Anna Foley, Amy Smullen, Aislinn Kelly, Rebecca Keogh, Ciara McCoy, Roisin Mc Manus 1.05, Rebecca Reilly, Ellen O Beirne, Shona Dixon, Serena Gavin. 

Report with thanks to Dónal Fitzpatrick.

Photo Credit: Aisling Hyland