Kildare dominate Tyrone to earn semi-final spot

It’s the business end of the season now, as Kildare look to add the final and most coveted piece to their potentially legendary treble-winning season. After league and Leinster Championship success, it’s all about the big one for Kildare and on Sunday,

Tyrone travelled to Manguard Park for what was both side’s biggest game to date.

This massive fixture’s first whistle would be delayed as both sides exited the field to protest the lack of resolution regarding player welfare issues across ladies football and camogie.

When this tie did get under way, it was nothing short of dominant from Kildare in the opening minutes as they smothered the visiting Tyrone. Their calm and collected possession was befitting of their status as an elite team in the latter stages of this competition, but that dominance with the ball was nothing new from this Kildare side.

The magic on the day came from their turnovers as the Kildare defensive unit won back possession time and time again.
It would be one of those turnovers that sparked Kildare’s first score as the ball was worked to Róisín Byrne. Byrne picked out Neasa Dooley, who knocked over a fine score to open her side’s account.

Dooley would get a second point minute’s later to double Kildare’s lead as she found space once more following a pass from Lara Curran. The Athy woman slotted over yet another super score from play.

The travelling Tyrone support had little to get excited about in the opening 15 minutes but following the conversion of two simple frees, they were just a single point behind.

That gap would be extended once more by perhaps the score of the game as Aoife Rattigan came forward and curled over a stunning effort from long range. Rattigan was just a few yards in from the sideline and set her effort outside the post. She let fly just in front of the stand in Manguard Park and all in attendance watched in awe as it swung back in and between the uprights.

Kildare would extend their lead to three with 10 minutes left in the half as Róisín Byrne was her ever-reliable self and knocked over a tricky free-kick.

The half would be closed out in the same manner that it had begun, with two excellent Neasa Dooley scores from play. The first came in the same style as her teammate Rattigan before her as she curled over a superb point from out wide.

The final score of the half would come off her weaker left-side as she demonstrated in her full range of skills in what was a superb half of football from Kildare and the Athy player in particular.

Kildare went in at the break with an 0-7 to 0-2 lead, having completely shut down the Tyrone attack. The visitors did not score from play in the opening half.

Tyrone, who this year have put up scores as high as 4-17, were completely nullified by the Kildare defensive unit, and to give one member of the back six extra credit would be to underappreciate the others as each of them were exemplary throughout.
It would be those turnovers once more that earned Kildare’s opening score of the second half too as Lauren Murtagh won possession expertly to then find Róisín Byrne who converted with aplomb.

Lara Curran would be the first of Kildare’s forwards to carve out a goal chance but saw her effort smothered by Sinéad McVey. This would be far from the last time McVey was called upon for her side as in truth, the Tyrone ‘keeper kept this from being a rout.

Kildare would get their goal through Aoife Rattigan as she marauded forward from midfield once again. Rattigan’s initial effort would be saved by the Tyrone ‘keeper but fortunately for the Cappagh player she was able to recover possession and finished smartly into the left-hand corner off her weaker side.

It was 1-9 to 0-2 after 36 minutes and the goal meant that there was little jeopardy left in this game. However, there was no such feeling on the field as Kildare kept their foot on the throat of their now wounded opposition.

Tyrone would get their first of only two scores from play in this game after 42 minutes when Aoife Horisk put a fine effort between the posts.

Kildare would add points through Lauren Murtagh, who was exceptional throughout, as well as further additions to their respective tallies from Róisín Byrne and Aoife Rattigan.

Tyrone would get a perfect goal chance as we hit the hour mark after a chaotic exchange in Kildare’s box. The scramble appeared to be little more than a sea of limbs and panic, but referee Gus Chapman signalled for a penalty. Gráinne Rafferty stepped up but put her effort over the bar keeping Kildare’s clean sheet intact in the process.

A dominant display from Diane O’Hora’s side against a team who were rightly flagged as high scorers and dangerous opposition pre-game.

It was all business from Kildare and they looked the real deal for the entirety of this All-Ireland Intermediate quarter-final.

Kildare will now face Wexford in the semi-final stage on Sunday, July 23.

SCORERS
Kildare: Kildare, Aoife Rattigan 1-2, Róisín Byrne 0-5 (0-4 frees), Neasa Dooley 0-4, Lauren Murtagh 0-1.

Tyrone: Tyrone, Gráinne Rafferty 0-2 (0-1 frees, 0-1 Penalty), Maria Canavan 0-1 (0-1 Frees), Aoife Horisk 0-1, Aoife McGahan 0-1.

TEAMS
Kildare: Mary Hulgraine; Lauren Burke, Laoise Lenehan, Aoife Clifford; Lara Gilbert, Ruth Sargent, Lauren Murtagh; Grace Clifford, Aoife Rattigan; Trina Duggan, Neasa Dooley, Claire Sullivan; Ellen Dowling, Róisín Byrne, Lara Curran. Subs: Gráinne Kenneally for Ellen Dowling (21 minutes), Mia Doherty for Trina Duggan (53 minutes), Fiona Troute for Lauren Burke (57 minutes), Elaine Keogh for Claire Sullivan (57 minutes), Holly Tyrell for Róisín Byrne (57 minutes).

Tyrone: Sinéad McVey; Joanne Barrett, Caoimhe Magee, Eimear Quinn; Jayne Lyons, Caitlin Campbell, Maebh Corrigan; Emma Jane Gervin, Aoibhinn McHugh; Aoife Horisk, Gráinne Rafferty, Emma Hegarty; Maria Canavan, Sasha Byrne, Emma Mulgrew. Subs: Niamh Hughes for Emma Mulgrew (34 minutes), Meabh Mallon for Sasha Byrne (37 minutes), Aoife McGahan for Emma Hegarty (41 minutes).

REFEREE: Gus Chapman, Sligo

GAME AT A GLANCE

MAIN PLAYER - Aoife Rattigan
One game on from being taken off at half-time against Louth, Aoife Rattigan put in one of her finest ever performances in a Kildare jersey. On top of her midfield duties, Rattigan contributed 1-2 on the scoreboard, which included one of the most superb points you will see all summer. Sinéad McVey was hard beaten in the Tyrone goal and the Cappagh player was the only one to breach the Tyrone net and raise a green flag on the day.

TALKING POINT
If they weren't already, Kildare will now be looked at as one of if not the standout candidates for All-Ireland glory this year. The dominance they exerted in an All-Ireland quarter-final was nothing short of staggering.

WHAT NOW?
Kildare will now face old foes Wexford in their All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final. The Lilies have a great recent record against Wexford but that record won't kick a ball between the posts. The beaten Leinster and All-Ireland finalists of the last two years are a story of nearly and that will motivate more than ever this time around. Kildare face Wexford on July 23 with a location and time yet to be confirmed.