FT: Kildare 1-8 - 0-8 Dublin
Dublin's poor start came back to haunt them, as a much improved second half wasn't enough to secure back-to-back wins in the post-Mick Bohan era. The second-half addition of Carla Rowe and Kate Sullivan proved too little too late, as Kildare took a one-goal win.
After a rapid start from the visitors, Paul Casey and Derek Murray’s charges almost opened the scoring straight off the bat. A free-kick from Chloe Darby looked destined to go over the bar but dropped short.
With some heavy ground and slippery conditions, Dublin struggled to adapt to the field, and a confident Kildare side took full advantage. A free-kick called close to goal was taken quickly, with Neasa Dooley popping over from close range to give Kildare the lead.
Kildare stretched their lead to four soon after as Alannah Prizeman swept her shot across the goal and into the far corner, while Roisin Byrne and Gillian Wheeler added two more from play to give the hosts a six-point cushion.
It took the Dubs 20 minutes to get themselves on the scoresheet, as Niamh Hetherton picked up her first of the day. Jodi Egan followed for a quickfire double, impressively kicking over on the turn.
However, Kildare tacked on two more to keep the distance as it approached half-time, with Wheeler and Dooley both adding to their tally.
Lidl NFL Div 1 Rd2
— DublinLGFA (@dublinladiesg) February 2, 2025
Half time
Dublin: 0-2(2)
Kildare: 1-5(8)#COYGIB pic.twitter.com/RvbHtpUNIj
Skipper Carla Rowe added some inspiration in the second half, as the addition of the Clann Mhuire star along with Kate Sullivan reignited Dublin’s attack. The duo were responsible for the opening five scores in the second half, with Jodi Egan eventually breaking the streak for the pair.
Kildare's defensive efforts went rewarded, as they continued to stifle Dublin's forward line. After an injury to Claire Sullivan in the late stages of the game, their attacking flow was disrupted, and after cutting the lead down to a solitary point, Roisin Byrne gave Kildare some breathing space from a free kick.
A subsequent yellow card for Martha Byrne left Dublin at yet another disadvantage, and some comfortable game management kept the Dubs at bay. Their patience in running down the clock was rewarded as Leah Doran added another, with dreams of a comeback slipping away.
A late free-kick looked to be Dublin's last hope of salvaging a result but it sailed harmlessly wide, as Kildare picked up their first win of the 2025 campaign.
Full Time: Kildare 1-8 - 0-8 Dublin
Kildare: Mary Hulgraine, Ruth Sargent, Laura Dunlea, Mia Doherty, Lauren Murtagh, Laoise Lenehan (c), Molly Aspell, Claire Sullivan, Lara Curran,Emma Wheeler, Ciara Moran, Gillian Wheeler, Neasa Dooley, Alannah Prizeman, Roisin Byrne
Substitutes: Anna Dunlea, Aoife Murnane, Aoife Rattigan, Leah Doran, Zoe Brierty, Leah McGovern, Siofra Galvin, Hannah Murphy, Aisling Irhue, Lisa Shaw, Amy Mahon, Ellie O’Toole, Erin Brereton Foley, Aoife Kilkenny, Lia Reilly
Dublin: Katie Moran Tighe, Jess Tobin, Martha Byrne, Aisling Nyhan, Niamh Donlon, Leah Caffrey, Aoife Curran, Grace Kós, Hannah McGinnis, Rebecca McDonnell, Chloe Darby, Sophie McIntyre, Annabelle Timothy, Niamh Hetherton, Jodi Egan
Substitutes: Abby Sheils, Siobhan Birnie, Claire Kirwan, Carla Rowe (c), Kate Sullivan, Clodagh Fox, Tjmea Kovacs, Ellen Leddy Doyle, Katie Murphy, Kate Murray, Karen O’Connell, Orla Martin
Referee: Shane Curley
