WOMEN'S FOOTBALL:KILDARE CAUSED a shock at St Brendan's Park in Birr yesterday by dumping 2010 and 2011 semi-finalists Laois out of the TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship.
Kildare scored their first championship victory since the 2010 qualifier victory over Down to send the O’Moore County crashing out, 0-11 to 0-9.
Goalkeeper Mary Hulgraine was inspired for the winners – denying Mary Kirwan with a magnificent save six minutes from time before keeping out a long-range effort from Tracey Lawlor in the final minute.
Kildare rode their luck too in the second half as Laois sub Aisling Kehoe sent a shot crashing off the upright in the 42nd minute.
Laois were rocked a minute later when full-back Aisling Quigley received a yellow card and was sin-binned for ten minutes.
That proved crucial as Kildare, with the extra player, reeled off three unanswered points to move 0-11 to 0-8 clear. Maria Moolick hit a brace of points and Aisling Holton was also on target as the Lilywhites sensed that a famous victory was within reach.
Sarah Quigley cut the deficit back to just two points for Laois, who played against the breeze in the second half, but time ran out and Kildare – who had eight different scorers – booked their place in Round 2 of the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Dublin claimed the All-Ireland minor ‘A’ ladies football title for the second time with a hard-fought 3-9 to 3-7 victory against Tyrone at the same venue.
