Kildare camogie go down to Laois but plenty of positives to be taken

Laois 3-14

Kildare 2-12

Kildare camogie made their long awaited return to the field this past weekend as they battled Laois in the opening round of the league. The home side would come up short on the day, but gave a good account of themselves against their local rivals.

It would be a nightmare start for The Lillies as Lucy O’Connor found the net after latching onto a handling error from Kildare goalkeeper Roisin Roche. The ball spilled out from the high ball that was sent in and O’Connor was quickest to it to give her side a three-point lead after just two minutes.

Kildare responded in excellent style as they hit three points in as many minutes to draw this game level. A booming score from range from Lea Sutton was followed by points from Aoife McDermott and Orla Carragher who both found space and notched a score.

The superb battle back to level pegging was soon undone however as Laois found the net again just a few minutes later. The visitors found the danger woman Lucy O’Connor in space, who in turn found the net as she smashed the ball home for her second goal of the game. The second green flag of the day was preceded by a stunning Aíva Coss point which meant that Laois led 2-1 to 0-3 after 10 minutes.

Kildare needed another response, and gave one as they grabbed a goal of their own on the break. A superb pass from deep fed Ailbhe Ryan who tried to take the ball around Laois ‘keeper Aedín Lowry before it was knocked loose. It didn’t stop the Naas corner-forward though as she swept the ball beautifully into the back of the net.

It would be all about set-pieces between Ryan’s goal and the half-time break. That suited Laois down to the ground as they had Aimee Collier on their side. The Camross centre-forward was exceptional from dead ball situations and scored 0-4 of her 0-10 in the minutes leading up to half-time.

Kildare were less potent on set-pieces however as captain Lea Sutton had somewhat of an off day in that department.
The frees at either end, scored or not, meant the sides went in at the break with Laois holding a 2-6 to 1-5 lead.

Trailing by four at half-time, Kildare needed to start the stronger of the two sides and unfortunately that wasn’t the case as Laois came flying out of the blocks. The visitors hit the first three points of the second half to give themselves a commanding lead.

It wasn’t for the want of trying, but Laois kept Kildare at arm's length for much of the second half and held a six-point lead for most of it.

Kildare needed a moment of inspiration and quality to unlock the Laois defence and they got it through Orla Carragher and Ailbhe Ryan. Carragher sent a brilliant pass through to Ryan who sliced the Laois lead in half with an excellent strike to find the net. The goal made this game 2-11 to 2-8 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

The reprieve for the visitors from the late pressure Kildare poured on was once again the exceptional free-taking of Aimee Collier. The Camross forward’s near flawless set-pieces gave Laois breathing room time and time again.

After another Collier converted free extended their lead to four, Laois would wrap up this game once and for all. Substitute Susie Delaney left her mark on this fixture as she grabbed a goal three minutes from time. Laois’ raising of a third green flag ended this game as a contest as Kildare’s valiant effort came up just short.

The sides would register a point each before the referee’s full-time whistle as Laois ran out 3-14 to 2-12 winners. Kildare battled well, but undoubtedly conceded goals at inopportune times.

There were certainly positive signs for the home side in this game as they made their long awaited return to the field. New manager Mike Wall is only on the first step of his journey with this side and it goes without saying that it is great to see Kildare Camogie take to the field again.

Scorers: Laois, Aimee Collier 0-10 (0-7 frees, 0-1 45'), Lucy O'Connor 2-0, Susie Delaney 1-0, Aíva Coss 0-2, Andrea Scully 0-1, Gemma Hoare 0-1.

Kildare, Ailbhe Ryan 2-2, Lea Sutton 0-5 (0-4 frees), Aoife McDermott 0-2 (0-1 frees), Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal 0-2, Orla Carragher 0-1.

LAOIS: Aedín Lowry; Katie Dunican, Fiona Scully, Karla Whelan; Aoife Hyland, Jessie Quinlan, Jade Bergin; Ellen Conroy, Sarah Creagh; Aíva Cross, Aimee Collier, Liaden Fennell; Lucy O'Connor, Gráinne Hyland, Andrea Scully. Subs: Alice Walsh for Sarah Creagh (38 minutes), Aoife Carroll for Karla Whelan (44 minutes), Susie Delaney for Gráinne Hyland (46 minutes), Rachel Deegan for Aíva Coss (56 minutes), Amy Flanagan for Lucy O'Connor (62 minutes).

KILDARE: Roisin Roche; Sorcha Dolan, Laoise Mimnagh, Ella Copeland; Sinéad O'Brien, Meabh Maguire, Aoife McCarthy; Niamh O'Connor, Lea Sutton; Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal, Sarah Carroll, Sarah Lavin; Ailbhe Ryan, Aoife McDermott, Orla Carragher. Subs: Shauna Dunne for Sorcha Dolan (Half-time), Shauna Mulligan for Sarah Lavin (35 minutes), Gemma Hoare for Karla Whelan (44 minutes), Caoimhe Shanahan for Niamh O'Connor (53 minutes).

Referee: John Burke

MAIN PLAYER
Ailbhe Ryan

The Naas forward was brilliant for the home side and provided 2-2 on the day. Were it not for Ryan's quality in front of goal at significant moments for Kildare, this game may not have been as competitive as it was. A brace paired with a couple of well-taken points from play was undoubtedly the outstanding Kildare performance.

TURNING POINT
There wasn't just one, but the Laois goals were hugely significant in this game. While there is no time where you would want to concede a goal, there is certainly a time that you don't. The Laois green flags were sucker punches to Kildare hopes due to the crucial moments in which they arrived.

TALKING POINT
It is still early stages and as the opening weeks develop the discussion will surround what are the goals of this new Kildare team moving forward.

WHAT NOW?
The Kildare camogie team are away to Roscommon on March 2, with a venue yet to be confirmed.