Jackies prevail in tight tense affair

  • Apr 28,2009

Competition:  Aisling McGing Championship

Venue:  Ellistown

Date:  Sunday 26th April 2009 Time:  3:00 PM

Dublin  1 – 4 Kildare 0– 6

Score at Half Time: Kildare 0 – 4 Dublin 1 - 3

The Dublin B team secured their first win of the season in a hard fought battle against neighbours Kildare in an intensely fought battle in Eillistown .Although conditions were lest than ideal this was a hugely entertaining contest for the large crowd in attendance.

After a couple of Kildare wides Dublin hit the front through the boot of Teresa Molohan but Kildare soon hit back with frees from Deirdre Gatley.The Jackie’s again responded to this a won a free which was again converted by Molohan to tie things up. A  Couple of minutes later a high ball into the Kildare square was brilliantly won by full forward Catherine Keaney who laid of for corner forward Helen Cliffe to blast to the roof of the net past the Kildare keeper Therese Martin. Dublin now had the wind in there sails and hard work Aoife Greene resulted in another magnificent Molohan Point from a tight angle. But this brought a great response from Kildare who fought back with a pointed free from Gatley and a terrific move the length of the park which ended in a Julie Cunningham point to narrow the half time deficit and set up a pulsating second half. Dublin headed to the dressing room at half time knowing the score could have been different only for brilliant defend from Keeper Deirdre Kelleher, Niamh Keane and full back Aine Deasy whose duel with gatley was a tremendous battle.

The Second half was an intense battle which saw Kildare starting the sharper of the teams but were guiltily of a couple of wides before Julie Cunningham and Deirdre Gatley kick two great points to tie things up and set up frenetic finish. Dublin introduced fresh legs in the shape off experienced duo Denise McKenna and Hannah Tyrell and it was McKenna who won a free in a score able position after great defensive work from Siobhan Kennedy and Aisling Kelly. With the pressure Molohan stepped up and right footed this time kicked Dublin into a one point lead. Kildare responded again and had chances to equalise put the Dublin defence tackled and blocked like their lives depended on it and when Gatley got free for a goal chance it was brilliantly saved by keeper Deidre Kelleher. Dublin battled bravely as both teams gave everything they had for the cause both when the final whistle went the Jackie’s held on by the bare minimum after a titanic which could have went either way.

After a draw with reigning champions Cork in their first game Dublin now have put themselves in a great position to qualify for the semi finals but will know a huge improvement will be needed before their next trip to play Mayo

Player of the Match:  Aine Deasy (Dublin)

Scorers Dublin : Teresa Molohan (0-4) 3,frees Helen Cliffe  (1-0)
              Kildare:  Deirdre Gately   (0-4) 2 Frees Julie Cunningham (0-2)

Referee:  Viv Hardiman    (Roscommon)

Dublin :  Deirdre Kelleher(Naomh Olaf) Sarah Stritch (St Margarets) Aine Deasy (Fingallians) Aisling Kelly (Kilmacud Crokes) Aoife Greene (Fingallians) Siobhan Kennedy (Clontarf) Niamh Keane (Clann Mhuire) Suzanne Murray (Round Towers Clondalkin) Karen Halpin (Ballymun Kickhams)Capt ,Tereasa Molohan (Ballyboden St Endas) Aimee Molloy (St Brigids) Miriam Wynne (Lucan Sarsfields) Sinead Deegan (St Annes) Catherine Keaney (Fingallians) Helen Cliffe (Clontarf) Subs: Hannah Tyrell (Round Towers C ) Aine Burke (St Brigids) Laura Dowling (Castleknock) Grace Dunne (Clanngael Fontenoy) Natasha Barnwall (Fingallians) Sinead Vivash (Clannagel Fontenoy) Denise McKenna (Fingallians) Emma Merrigan (Ballymun Kickhams) Deborah Doherty (Fingallians)