Unforced errors costs Kildare against league leaders Armagh

Armagh 2-15

Kildare 1-7

Kildare came up well short when they headed north to face Armagh in their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 round 5 clash. The table-topping home side were well in control of The Lilies most of the way through this fixture.

Speaking after the game, Lilies boss Pat Sullivan said, "when you are playing a seasoned team like Armagh you just can’t make unforced errors. We did and we got punished."

It was actually Kildare who started the better of the two sides with sharp passing interchanges as they probed the home side.

The Lilies got the game’s opening score after two minutes when Gillian Wheeler found Ruth Sargent who was advancing. The corner-back knocked over a fine score to give her side the lead.

Armagh levelled five minutes later when they sprung a counter attack that finished in the hands of Moya Feehan. The Shane O’Neill’s centre-forward levelled things with a confident strike from range.

Two minutes later and the home side shot three clear when they found the net for the first time. It was a blistering attacking move that saw eventual goalscorer Niamh Henderson heavily involved throughout. Henderson combined with both Emily Druse and Moya Feehan before brilliantly finding the roof of the net.

A minute later Niamh Reel, playing on her club grounds, grabbed her first score after elegantly cutting across the ball.

It was a blitz from Armagh and a further point from Eve Lavery meant the home side led 1-3 to 0-1 at the 15-minute mark.

It was all about Armagh’s long-range shooting in the first half and Niamh Reel added her second with another super effort from range.

Kildare got just their second point of the game in the 22nd minute thanks to a Neasa Dooley free-kick.

The Lilies came back into things late in the first half after failing to build much meaningful possession throughout, but were unable to make it count on the scoreboard.

Armagh added points from Blaithin Mackin and Eve Lavery late in the opening half an hour to send their side in with a commanding 1-6 to 0-2 lead.

Kildare had not produced enough in the opening half, but pre-game table-toppers Armagh looked sharp in attack and had coughed up very little at the back too.

Despite a point at either end after the restart, it was largely more of the same in this game. Armagh were once again demonstrating a serious quality of shooting while Kildare gave up possession and scores all too easily.

Centre-back Lauren McConville had done great defensive work for the home side in the first half and then got herself a score too in the 36th minute.

Two Niamh Reel frees and another point for Eve Lavery had the home side 11 clear at 1-11 to 0-3 after 40 minutes.
Róisin Byrne got her first of the game, which was then followed by an excellent point from Molly Aspell.

The Lilies rallied well in the final 10 minutes and hit 1-2 in the space of four minutes to bridge the gap.

Points from Byrne and Rattigan were separated by a goal from substitute Leah McGovern, who latched onto a rebound from a Ruth Sargent shot on goal.

The eventual winners closed out for victory and picked up the final couple of scores of the game through Niamh Henderson and Niamh Reel.

The unbeaten Armagh side remained so with a convincing 2-15 to 1-7 victory.

Kildare remain just outside the drop zone in Division 1. The Lilies have six points with Mayo, on three, and Tyrone on zero, below them.

MAIN PLAYER
Molly Aspell
The Kilcullen wing-back has been a useful and versatile addition to the regular Kildare starting 15 this year. Aspell was industrious and diligent throughout a tough game for The Lilies.

TURNING POINT
When Armagh started scoring they didn't stop and their quick-fire 1-2 in the space of three minutes rocked Kildare in this game. The Lilies were lucky not to be further behind with a couple of goal chances going awry for the home side as they poured the pressure on.

TALKING POINT
All eyes now turn to Kildare's visit to Mayo. An incredibly difficult trip and one that could prove decisive for the fate of both side's in Division 1. It may be a straight shoot-out between the round 6 opponents.

WHAT NOW?
Kildare have a couple of weekends off now before their next trip. The Lilies travel to Mayo on March 22 for the penultimate round of their Division 1 campaign.

Scorers: Armagh, Niamh Reel 0-6 (0-2 frees), Niamh Henderson 1-1, Emily Druse 1-0, Eve Lavery 0-3 (0-1 frees), Moya Feehan 0-1, Blaithin Mackin 0-1, Grace Ferguson 0-1, Lauren McConville 0-1, Caoimhe McNally 0-1.

Kildare, Leah McGovern 1-0, Neasa Dooley 0-2 (0-1 frees), Róisín Byrne 0-2, Ruth Sargent 0-1, Molly Aspell 0-1, Aoife Rattigan 0-1.

ARMAGH: Anna Carr; Maeve Ferguson, Cait Towe, Roisin Mulligan; Louise Kenny, Lauren McConville, Blaithin Mackin; Niamh Coleman, Caroline O'Hanlon; Emily Druse, Moya Feehan, Eve Lavery; Niamh Reel, Aoife McCoy, Niamh Henderson. Subs: Grace Ferguson for Louise Kenny (Half-time), Caoimhe McNally for Eve Lavery (44 minutes), Catherine Marley for Emily Druse (47 minutes), Maeve Lennon for Moya Feehan (47 minutes).

KILDARE: Mary Hulgraine; Ruth Sargent, Lauren Murtagh, Emma Wheeler; Mia Doherty, Laoise Lenehan, Molly Aspell; Claire Sullivan, Laura Dunlea; Ciara Moran, Gillian Wheeler, Neasa Dooley; Ciara Price, Alannah Prizeman, Róisín Byrne. Subs: Aoife Murnane for Ciara Price (32 minutes), Aoife Rattigan for Gillian Wheeler (32 minutes), Leah McGovern for Alannah Prizeman (42 minutes), Amy Mahon for Laura Dunlea (42 minutes), Lisa Shaw for Lauren Murtagh (47 minutes), Leah Doran for Emma Wheeler (47 minutes), Erin Brereton Foley for Róisín Byrne (59 minutes), Lara Curran for Mia Doherty (60 minutes).

Referee: Angela Gallagher (Dublin)

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