Keeper the hero as Kildare deliver on All-Ireland

Kildare 1-13 Clare 1-12: Goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine was the star of the show as Kildare atoned for last year’s TG4 All-Ireland Ladies IFC final defeat by claiming the title yesterday.

Kildare raced into a 1-7 to 0-3 lead in the first half, but Clare hit 1-4 without reply to get level by half-time. Noelle Earley’s goal in the seventh minute was a crucial score for Kildare and with Hulgraine keeping the Banner at bay at the other end, Alan Barry’s charges were in control. Clare finally found the net in the 28th minute when Ailish Considine goaled.

The sides went in at 1-7 apiece and three minutes into the second half Clare’s Gráinne Nolan was fouled for a penalty, but Nolan’s shot was saved by Hulgraine.

Kildare registered the next three scores, but after losing Savage to the sin-bin, Clare responded and were level at 1-11. Kildare responded with points from Holton and sub Molly Price (free).O’Dea’s fifth point proved a mere consolation.

Scorers for Kildare:

N Earley 1-1, R Byrne (1f) & E Dowling (3f) 0-3 each, A Holton & M Moolick 0-2 each, E Connolly & M Price (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare:

N O’Dea 0-5 (1f), A Considine 1-1, G Nolan 0-4f, S Bohannon & C Hickey 0-1 each.

KILDARE:

M Hulgraine; T Duggan, P Keatley, R Cribbin; S Kendrick, A Savage, M Nolan; E Burke, A Holton; R Byrne, M Moolick, E Connolly; M McKenna, N Earley, E Dowling.

Subs:

R Reidy for Keatley (h.t.), E Fogarty for Byrne (38), M Price for McKenna (50), R Corrigan for Savage (52), G Lyons for Connolly (55).

CLARE:

E O’Driscoll; K McCormack, L Ryan, S Harvey; R Considine, E O’Gorman, G Harvey; L Henchy, B Mahon; S Bohannon, A Considine, N Keane; C Hickey, N O’Dea, G Nolan.

Subs:

C Harvey for G Harvey (h.t.), A Keane for Hickey (42).

Referee:

K Delahunty (Tipperary).