Kildare crowned Division 2 champions after win over Tyrone in Croke Park

Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2 League Final

Kildare 2-9

Tyrone 0-12

Despite a slow start to the game, Kildare led midway through the first half thanks to a goal from Claire Sullivan. The Carbury forward was slipped through by an excellent reverse hand-pass from Róisín Byrne before Sullivan finished tidily on her left foot.

Kildare would not score for another 10 minutes and trailed 1-2 to 0-6 following some well-taken Maria Canavan frees. However, The Lillies would come to life towards the end of the first half and, after two points from Róisín Byrne, found the net again through Neasa Dooley. The Athy forward finished ruthlessly after being put in by Kildare substitute Niamh Farrelly.

Kildare went in at the break with a 2-4 to 0-6 lead.

It was similar going in the second half for Kildare with them looking slightly below their best. Tyrone kicked on largely through Maria Canavan’s excellent free-taking while Kildare hit on the break on occasion.

Kildare would maintain that gap right until the finish as they matched Tyrone when needed to keep themselves in front and win the Division 2 league title. A professional job well done by Diane O’Hora’s side to lift yet another trophy.

Kildare, Róisín Byrne 0-4 (0-2 frees), Neasa Dooley 1-1, Claire Sullivan 1-0, Trina Duggan 0-1, Lara Curran 0-1, Niamh Farrelly 0-1, Ellen Dowling 0-1.

Tyrone, Maria Canavan 0-8 (0-7 frees), Emma Conroy 0-2, Sasha Byrne 0-1, Aoibhinn McHugh 0-1.

KILDARE: Mary Hulgraine; Fiona Troute, Mia Doherty, Aoife Clifford; Lauren Murtagh, Ruth Sargent, Lara Gilbert; Grace Clifford, Hazel McLoughlin; Trina Duggan, Ellen Dowling, Claire Sullivan; Neasa Dooley, Róisín Byrne, Aoife Rattigan. Subs: Niamh Farrelly for Aoife Rattigan (25 minutes), Ellie O'Toole for Hazel McLoughlin (40 minutes), Lara Curran for Lauren Murtagh (43 minutes), Holly Tyrell for Ellen Dowling (53 minutes), Sarah Munnelly for Trina Duggan (54 minutes).

TYRONE: Caitlin Donnelly; Jayne Lyons, Joanne Barrett, Eimear Quinn; Caitlin Campbell, Emma Mulgrew, Meabh Corrigan; Aoibhinn McHugh, Meabh Mallon; Emma Jane Gervin, Emma Conroy, Aoife Horisk; Maria Canavan, Zoe Loughran, Sasha Byrne. Subs: Emer McCanny for Sasha Byrne (46 minutes), Clara Daly for Joanne Barrett (48 minutes), Aine Grimes for Emma Conroy (50 minutes), Aoibhinn Daly for Aoife Horisk (53 minutes), Katie Rose Muldoon for Meabh Corrigan (59 minutes).

Referee: Shane Curley, Galway