Match report U20 Dublin v Kildare
- Jun 28,2024
U20 Leinster Championship Rd 1
Dublin 4-08 (20) Kildare 2-10 (16)
The inaugural U20 Leinster championship got underway on a cold, wet and windy June evening in Newbridge. The sizeable crowd who had made the journey to Manguard Park the home of Kildare GAA where treated to an open and entertaining game of football.
Timea Kovacs (Dublin) and Sarah McGovern (Kildare) lining out at full forward for their respective Counties showed fine form throughout the contest. Both players would finish the game as their teams respective top scorers.
Kovacs got the opening goal of the game which arrived in the 19th minute, a score that was quickly cancelled out some sixty seconds later when McGovern hit a superb shot passed Dublin keeper, Kadie Martin. Dublin’s second goal came just ahead of the interval when Kate Watson hit the back of the Kildare net following a well worked move.
Dublin enjoyed a four-point lead at half time, Dublin 2-04 (10) Kildare’s 1-03 (6).
Goals win games and it was Dublin’s ability to raise the green flag at key times that swung the result of this game in favour of the visitors. Dublin forward, Amber McCloskey netted in the 37th minute while Kovacs was on target again in the 53rd minute. Dublin’s fourth goal and Kovacs second pushed Dublin seven points clear of the lily whites.
A mini resurgence came from Kildare led by their hard-working centre forward, Mayah Doyle. Doyle added on a point and then scored the sixth and final goal of the game with less three minutes remaining on the clock. Dublin captain, Amber McCloskey reacted to Doyles goal with a well taken point to give her team a four-point cushion and secure a well-earned victory.
Kadie Martin, Lana Nolan, Kate Donaghy and Sophie McIntyre performed well for Dublin while Niamh Hayes and Joy Duggan worked hard for Kildare.
Next Thursday (4th July) Dublin will welcome Meath to the capital for their second game. Details of venue and time to be confirmed shortly.
Dublin v Kildare: Kadie Martin, Saoirse Delaney, Rachel Callery, Hazel Grady, Lana Nolan, Niamh Redmond, Leah Pidgeon, Heather Bolger, Abigail McKeating, Kate Donaghy, Sophie McIntyre, Amber McCloskey (Captain), Cait Phelan, Timea Kovacs, Kate Watson. Subs: Neala Byrne, Dominique Darby, Christine Moran, Amber Taylor, Ava Peake, Emma Phillips, Doireann Egan, Clodagh Fox, Amy Clavin.
Dublin Scorers: Timea Kovacs 2-01, Amber McCloskey 1-04 (1f), Kate Watson 1-02, Neala Byrne 0-01.
Kildare v Dublin: Roisin Byrne, Eimear Glancy, Ciara Corrigan, Claudia Gray, Siofra Galvin, Teigan McGonagle, Jessica Doyle, Niamh Hayes, Joy Duggan, Aibhe Byrne, Mayah Doyle, Caoimhe O’Sullivan, Anna Leavy, Sarah McGovern, Robyn Lavin. Subs: Meabh O’Sullivan, Caoimhe Bagnall, Aine Maguire, Aibhe Graham, Ciara Kelly, Eimear Reilly, Emma Shanahan, Leah McGovern, Sadie Cullinan, Grace Murtagh, Anna Carpenter, Caoimhe Ní Bhuircheall, Olivia Monaghan, Ellen Coleman, Yasmin Browne.
Kildare Scorers: Sarah McGovern 1-04 (3f), Mayah Byrne 1-02, Niamh Hayes 0-02, Siofra Galvin, Leah McGovern 0-01 each.
Unlimited substitutes used in the game as per competition regulations.