Big championship win for Kildare Ladies over Meath

Summerhille was the venue for this opening round game in the Leinster TG4 LGFA SFC where Kildare served up a fine game recording an excellent four point win over Meath - 0-12 to 0-8.

Kildare dug deep, defended brilliantly, especially when Meath came at them late on but they stood up to the challenge extremely well.

The opening half was a slow-burner with Meath having the majority of possession, early on at least, but they find it difficult to find the posts, in fact in that half they hit no less than seven wides.

After soaking up the early pressure it was the visitors through Aoife Rattigan who opened the scoring on six minutes with Molly Aspell getting a second soon after.

Meath finally opened their account through Meadhbh Byrne with Niamyh Gallogly soon equalising.

Alannahprizeman edged The Lilies back in front but Marion Farrelly soon had them level again.

On 21 minutes Meath took the lead for the first time through Lauren Woods but for third time the sides were tied up with a fine effort from Rattigan.

Gillian Wheeler had Kildare back in front on 31 minutes and them before the break after the same Wheeler was fouled Aoife Rattigan slotted over the close-in free to leave the half time score reading Kildare 0-6 Meath 0-4.

Kildare stretched that lead on the resumption, Lara Curran and Lisa Shaw raising white flags as Meath's wide tally continued to grow, however they did cut the deficit back to two on fourth minutes.

Aoife Rattigan eased the Kildare concerns and Alannah Prizeman pushind it out to three.

Meath were pushing for a goal but the Kildare defence stood strong.

Caira Smyth cut it back to two but it was Aoife Rattigan (free) who had it back to three, Aoife Rattigan added a free as the final whistle arrived Kildare winning on a final score of Kildare 0-12 Meath 0-8.

Kildare now take on Dublin next weekend and with just three teams in this senior championship it is a great opportunjity for Pat Sullivan's side to make it to a provincial decider.

Scorers: Kildare, Aoife Rattigan 0-6 (4 frees), Alannah Prizeman 0-2, Gillian Wheeler 0-1, Molly Aspell 0-1, Lisa Shaw 0-1, Laura Curran 0-1.

Meath, Ciara Smyth 0-3 (1 free), Meadhbh Byrne 0-2, Marion Farrelly 0-1 (free), Lauren Woods 0-1, Niamh Gallogly 0-1.

KILDARE: Rachel Fennin; Áine Mernagh, Emma Wheeler, Lisa Shaw; Nazel McLoughlin, Ruth Sargent, Laoise Lenehan cpt.;  Aisling Irhue, Gillian Wheeler; Lara Curran, Ciara Wheeler, Molly Aspell; Aoife Rattigan, Mayah Doyle, Alannah Prizeman. Subs: Mia Doherty for Lisa Shaw (40 minutes);  Lia Reilly for Ciara Wheeler (47 minutes); Aoife Murnane for Mayah Doyle (50 minutes); Jessica Harney for Aisling Irhue (66 minutes); 

MEATH: Robyn Murray; Karla Kealy, Áine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch; Orlaith Sheehy, Olivia Gore, Kate Bermingham; Sinéad Murphy, Niamh Gallogly cpt.; Marion Farrelly, Meadhbh Byrne, Megan Thynne; Ciara Smyth, Lauren Woods, Rachel Casserly. Subs: Orla Finnegan for Lauren Woods (44 minutes); Orlaith Mallon for Rachel Casserly (49 minutes); Ali  Sherlock for Megan Thynne (56 minutes); Órla  Smith for Sinéad Murphy (56 minutes); Caoimhe McPeake for Kate Bermingham (62 minutes);

REFEREE: Barry Redmond, Wexford.