Kildare's Eadestown Ladies aiming for Leinster breakthrough

Eadestown Ladies created history on Friday night, 4 October, when they captured the Kildare LGFA senior football champion-
ship for the fifth year in a row and on Sunday next in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore (2pm) the Sky Blues will be attempting to win the Leinster LGFA senior title for the first time.
Standing in their way is Kilmacud Crokes, who are looking for their third Leinster title in a row after capturing the Dublin Championship for the third time with a one point victory over St Sylvesters in Parnell Park.
In their Leinster campaign, so far, the Dublin Champions accounted for Naomh Ciarán of Offaly 5-10 to 0-7 in the quarter-final on 19 October in a repeat of last year’s Final. Longford champions, Longford Slashers, were also no match for Crokes in the semi-final two weeks ago with Crokes, winning on a score line of 5-15 to 1-6. Crokes led 4-10 to 0-3 at the break with the goals coming from Ailbhe Davoren (2), Grace Kos and Michell Davoren. Crokes added a fifth goal through Amy Conroy early in the second half and although Slashers added 1-3 in the second half, they never really threatened the Dubs.
Kilmacud Crokes include five Dublin senior football panellists with Lauren Magee, daughter of former Dublin player and Wicklow manager, Johnny, the most prominent of these. Others include Grace Kos, Rachel Fleming, Aoife Kane and Kate Murray. They will pose a formidable threat.
Eadestown captured their fifth Kildare senior title in a row at the beginning of October with a convincing 5-15 to 0-6 win over St Laurence’s in the Joe Mallon Motors SFC Final in Manguard Park.
Abaigh Cahill, just 18 years of age, was the scoring star of the show for the Sky Blues on the night with a 3-6 haul. The other goals came from midfielder, Siobhan O’Sul-
livan and captain, Gráinne Kenneally.
Eadestown had to qualify for Sunday’s Final the hard way with away victories over Meath’s Dunshaughlin Royal Gales and Wicklow’s Tinahely.
Kate Murphy was the hero for Ollie Mernagh’s charges in the quarter-final at a stormy Dunshaughlin on 20 October. The super sub came off the bench late to score the goal which gave her side a 2-10 to 2-7 victory over the Royal club.
As well as scoring an 11 minute goal, captain, Gráinne Kenneally, gave an inspirational performance in the semi-final two weeks ago which saw her side, minus the services of Grace Clifford and namesake Aoife, claim a 2-6 to 0-8 win over the Wicklow champions, Tinahely, who had knocked the Kildare champions out of the 2023 Leinster championship.
Eadestown have been the outstanding team in Kildare for the past five years but they have failed to make the break-through in Leinster so far. There seems to be a different mindset within the camp this year, however. They have experience in outstanding keeper, Andrea Jebb as well as Grace Clifford, Aine Mernagh, Siobhan O’Sullivan and Gráinne Kenneally. Add in the youth of Ruth Sargent, Aoife Clifford, Jessica Harney, Abaigh Cahill, Laura Byrne, Tara Bedford and Kate Murphy and you can see that there can be great confidence that this Eadestown team is one that can deliver.
Unfinished Leinster business seems to be the theme running through management, players and supporters at Eadestown. Of course, Kilmacud Crokes will be firm favourites as defending champions and with aspirations of three in a row. However, if Eadestown can show the determination and confidence that gave them away victories over the champions of Meath and Wicklow then there is no reason why they can break their Leinster hoodoo.
A big Sky Blues support could well be what will give them the edge on the day.