Dublin survive Kildare fright to win

JOHN O’LEARY’S Dublin survived a fright from Kildare to chalk up their second TG4 Ladies Leinster Championship victory at Sarsfields yesterday, 5-14 to 3-11.

The Lilywhites entered the game as underdogs, but took the game to the reigning champions and only trailed by a point at the break with Dublin marginally ahead, 3-5 to 2-7.

Dublin pulled away on the resumption though - scoring 2-1 in the first seven minutes of the restart to remain on course to reclaim their provincial crown.

Tracy Noone gave Kildare an early lead with a quick point and although Sinead Aherne levelled for Dublin - it was last year’s All-Ireland junior champions that looked brighter.

Simone Gilabert hit 1-1 to give Kildare a deserved lead inside ten minutes. Aherne replied with 1-1 for Dublin but Kildare continued to push forward and were in front again soon after.

Gillian Behan scored their second goal as Kildare hit 1-3 without reply. The gap appeared to stir Dublin into life though and they hit 2-2 in the final minutes of the half to lead at the break. Aherne and Angie McNally, who finished with a personal tally of 2-2, grabbed the goals.

The Dubs burst out of the blocks on the restart and a goal by Louise Kelly visibly stunned Kildare. Angie McNally added her second goal soon after to effectively kill off the Kildare challenge.

Elsewhere yesterday, Meath bounced back from last week’s defeat to Dublin by hammering Longford in Navan, 6-23 to 0-3.

The Laois and Louth clash due to take place in Stradbally was called off.