McGovern's star as Kildare are crowned Leinster LGFA Minor A Champions after thrilling final with Longford

Kildare are Leinster LGFA Minor A Champions after victory over Longford in an excellent final clash. It was twin magic for the Lilywhites as they were fired to victory by Raheens duo Leah and Sarah McGovern who contributed 1-15 to Kildare’s impressive final tally of 1-23.

Despite the final score-line, Kildare looked in trouble with 10 minutes remaining in the first half and were down 2-5 to 0-6. They would prove every impression of this game so far wrong as they took it by the scruff of the neck. Towering midfielder Sarah McGovern began to command this game as she scored three points in this Kildare resurgence.

The Lilywhites kicked seven points with no response in the closing 10 minutes of that half. Kildare went in at the break with a surprising but mightily impressive 0-13 to 2-5 lead.

The game would be put to bed and comeback complete just after half-time with a Kildare goal from star Sarah McGovern who rounded off a superb run with a great finish into the roof of the net. Kildare were relentless in the second half, racking up an incredible 1-23 scoring tally to become Leinster Champions.

Kildare, Sarah McGovern 1-6, Leah McGovern 0-9 (0-4 frees), Aoife Murnane 0-2 (0-1 frees), Mayah Doyle 0-2, Edwina Birchall 0-2, Niamh Farrelly 0-1, Alannah Prizeman 0-1.

Longford, Kate Shannon 1-3, Elena O'Reilly 1-1, Grace Cullen 1-0, Anna Hayden 0-2 (0-1 frees), Ella O'Reilly 0-1, Sian Gallagher 0-1.

KILDARE: Sophie Knightly; Joy Duggan, Eimear Glancy, Heidi Lyons; Julie Brannigan, Laura Dunlea, Hannah Murphy;  Sarah McGovern, Mayah Doyle; Edwina Birchall, Ellie Kendrick, Aoife Murnane; Leah McGovern, Abi Whelan, Niamh Farrelly. Subs: Meabh McDonagh for Heidi Lyons (20 minutes), Alannah Prizeman for Abi Whelan (42 minutes), Lara Prendergast for Sarah McGovern (50 minutes), Erin Brereton Foley for Leah McGovern (61 minutes).

LONGFORD: Aoife Cooney; Emma Farrell, Ailbhe Brady, Rachel Fallon; Ella Duggan, Katie McEntire, Fumni Talabi; Sian Gallagher, Ella O'Reilly; Megan Glennon, Anna Hayden, Sarah Macken; Grace Cullen, Tessa Tiernan, Katie Shannon.Subs: Elena O'Reilly for Grace Cullen (Half-time), Rachel Penrose for Megan Glennon (54 minutes), Caoimhe Crossan for Emma Farrell (56 minutes), Katherine Kilduff for Fumni Talabi (59 minutes).

Referee: Marion Hayden (Carlow)