Dublin v Laois, Match Report (Grassrootsgaa.ie)

  • Apr 16,2014

Dublin Power Past Laois to Progress to Leinster Final

By Cilian Murphy (Courtesy of Grassrootsgaa.ie)

 

Dublin produced a clinical performance to see off Laois in this evening's Leinster Ladies Football Minor Championship Semi Final in St Margarets.

 

The Dubs impressed throughout with their incisive running and their ability to find a teammate in space enabled them to run up an impressive tally over the 60 minutes.

 

GrassRootsGAA Star Woman Éabha Rutledge of Kilmacud Crokes took on the Laois defence at every opportunity, linking well with fellow forwards Kim Garth and Katie Murphy, causing panic in the away side's defence with every attacking play.

 

It would be unfair to single out only a few of the Dubs performers tonight as they held the upper hand in almost every facet of the game this evening.

 

Aoife Curran gave an inspirational account of herself at the back, rallying her troops every step of the way. Holly Greer was a constant thorn in Laois' side from centre forward throughout, with her powerful running and pinpoint passing causing untold problems for the visitors.

 

Indeed, every single substitute Dublin brought on made an impact also, only adding to Laois' woes.

Credit must be given to the away side, however, their never say die attitude and tremendous work rate an absolute credit to their county.

 

But it is Dublin who now progress to the Leinster Final on May 5th to face Westmeath after this exhibition of top class football.

 

Laois were first off the mark through a Shannon Costello free but it didn't take Dublin long to find their stride.

 

Éabha Rutledge was fouled in the Laois penalty area on four minutes and the referee awarded the spot kick which Kim Garth buried to the net to give the Dubs an early lead.

 

The home side then reeled off three points on the trot through Rutledge (2) and the impressive Holly Greer.

 

Laois responded with a point of their own on 12 minutes through Costello (free) once more. This was only a momentary blip for Dublin as they registered another three unanswered points. Greer was on target again after some lovely Dublin link play.

 

Corner forward Katie Murphy then opened her account with a neat right footed effort after beating her marker for pace.

 

This was closely followed by another Garth major, after yet more impressive link play from Rebecca Mc Donnell and Rutledge.

This was to be Dublin's last score of the half as their final ball into their forwards lacked the conviction of the first 20 minutes.

 

Laois tagged on two points before the break through Ciara Burke (2 frees) to give themselves a lifeline. At half time, the score board read 2-5 to 0-4 in Dublin's favour.

 

On the resumption, Dublin came flying out of the traps with points from Murphy, Rutledge (2) and Garth, followed by goals from Greer and wing forward Kate Fitzgibbon to extend their lead beyond the reach of Laois.

 

Indeed, it wasn't until 12 minutes into the second half that the away side registered their next score with Ciara Burke slotting over.

 

This was followed by further points from Shauna Redmond and Orlaith Phelan along with a goal by the former to reduce the deficit.

 

Dublin substitute Leah Mullins notched a point on 48 minutes before Laois were on the goal trail again, midfielder Meaghan Dunne finding the net after a fine run from Shannon Costello.

Any notions Laois had of concocting a comeback were dismissed on 54 minutes when Rutledge goaled for the hosts.

 

This was backed up by scores from Mullins (1-1), Conroy (1-0) and Rutledge (0-1) to see the final score read 7-12 to 2-9 in favour of the Dubs.

  

Star Woman:

Éabha Rutledge (Dublin)

The talented corner forward had a hand in many of Dublins' best forward moves and contributed 1-5 herself. Her link play with her full forward line partners of Kim Garth and Katie Murphy were a key feature of this Dublin victory.

 

Dublin Squad List:

O Mc Donald; A Curran;; M Ní Scanaill; L Magee; K Murray; S Flood; H Hegarty; L Ryan; R Brogan; K Fitzgibbon (1-0); H Greer (1-2); R Mc Donnell; K Murphy (0-2); K Garth (2-1); E Rutledge (1-5, 1 free); C Crotty; A Whitely; N O Neill; S O Grady; A Conroy (1-0); A Kane; K Mahon; N Clare; E Colgan; L Mullins (1-2).

Wides: 12

 

Laois Squad List:

E Hooban; A Loughman; A Ramsbottom; R Rafter; S Phelan; L Peake; A Healy; F Dooley; M Dunne (1-0); C Burke (0-3, 2 frees); S Costello (0-3, 3 frees); M Keating; E Murphy; A Fitzgibbon; C Simms; L Delaney; G Hannigan; M Byrne; L Waldron; M Keegan; S Redmond (0-2); L Buggy; O Phelan (1-1).

Wides: 6