Kildare ladies shock Dublin and put down a marker in Division 1

Kildare 1-8

Dublin 0-8

Kildare ladies caused the shock of the day in Round 2 of the Lidl National League defeating Dublin by three points at Manguard Park, Hawkfield on Sunday afternoon, to capture their first league Division 1 points having lost to Waterford the previous week.

And make no mistake about it Kildare were full value for this win, a win that will certainly make the other counties in Division 1 sit up and take note.

Alannah Prizeman's 10th minute goal ultimately proved to be the match winner but there was so much more to the Kildare game and they had Dublin scrambling for the services of Carla Rowe and Kate Sullivan at the half-time break.

A sticky and wet Manguard Park pitch leant to difficult conditions but despite a scoreless opening eight minutes it was Kildare who adapted best.

A superb defensive effort in those opening minutes meant the returning Mary Hulgraine was a mere passenger as she was only called into action on two occasions.

Gillian Wheeler took advantage of a quick free to set up the impressive Neassa Dooley for the game's opening score on nine.

She was involved again on 10 as her persistence forced Dublin into conceding a 45. Dooley's effort dropped short but Alannah Prizeman reacted quickest to fire home the opening, and only goal of the afternoon.

Gillian Wheeler kicked a brilliant point off the left and when Roisin Byrne drew a free 20 metres out she tapped over to leave Kildare 1-3 to no score ahead.

Dublin were yet to get any change from a well organised Kildare rearguard.

Twenty minutes had elapsed before Niamh Hetherton eventually got a score for the visitors. A quick kickout was intercepted by

Jodi Egan to double the Dubs tally but Kildare didn't panic as they settled back into the routine that had them still four ahead.

As the game entered the closing six minutes of the half Kildare were back on the front foot.

A 30m effort from Roisin Byrne came back off the post and there to pick up the pieces was Nessa Dooley who pushed Kildare five ahead.

It was all Kildare and when Gillian Wheeler added her second on 28 Kildare would go to the dressing rooms 1-5 to 0-2 ahead.

Dublin were forced into changes at the break and the introduction of the experienced duo of team captain Carla Rowe and Kate Sullivan certainly gave Dublin some added impetus.

Rowe was on the scoreboard inside a minute and Sullivan followed suit two minutes later to reduce the gap to four.

Kildare were forced to retreat as Dublin exerted continuous pressure but as in the first half Kildare dealt with the threat and a Dublin goal never seemed likely.

Carla Rowe added her second and suddenly Dublin were only one score in arrears.

A Roisin Byrne free on 41 was a much needed Kildare score but Dublin were on the up and three points in a row between the 45 and 49 minutes left the minimum between the sides.

Carla Rowe added two frees and a second from Jodi Egan meant we were in for a grandstand finish.
Kildare had to battle with 14 after Lauren Murtagh was unfortunate to get a yellow card and Dublin looked as if they might be taking control at the right time.

Kildare didn't panic and as in the first half they were patient with their build up play. They were made to work hard but their persistence was rewarded with late points from a Roisin Byrne free and when Dublin were in all out attack in search of a much needed goal Kildare intercepted and broke at pace and when blood sub Leah Doran was through on goal she tapped over to push Kildare three ahead.

It would prove to be enough of a buffer.

The final whistle, after nearly 5 minutes of injury time was greeted with joyous scenes.

Kildare had announced their arrival in Division One and a win over Dublin sets the Lilywhites up nicely for the year ahead.

KILDARE: Mary Hulgraine, Ruth Sargent, Laura Dunlea, Mia Doherty, Lauren Murtagh, Laoise Lenehan, Molly Aspell, Claire Sullivan, Lara Curran, Emma Wheeler, Ciara Moran, Gillian Wheeler 0-2, Nessa Dooley 0-2, Alannah Prizeman 1-0, Roisin Byrne 0-3 (3 frees). Subs: Aoife Rattigan for Alannah Prizeman Prizeman 50; Lisa Shaw for Gillian Wheeler 55; Siofra Galvin for Lara Curran 55; Amy Mahon for Lauren Murtagh 55; Leah Doran 0-1 for Claire O Sullivan 63 B/S.

DUBLIN: Kate Moran Tighe, Jessie Tobin, Martha Byrne, Aisling Nylan, Niamh Donlon, Leah Caffrey, Aoife Curran, Grace Kos, Hannah McGinnis, Rebecca McDonnell, Chloe Darby, Sophie McIntyre, Anabelle Timothy, Niamh Hetherton 0-1, Jodi Egan 0-2. Subs: Kate Sullivan 0-1 for Sophie McIntyre H/T; Carla Rowe 0-4 (3 frees) for Aisling Nyhan H/T; Orla Martin for Anabelle Timothy 45; Katie Murphy for Jodie Egan 55; Clodagh Fox for Rebecca McDonnell 55.

REFEREE: Shane Curley (Galway).