Clifford hat-trick fires Eadestown past Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels in Leinster SFC
Eadestown finished convincing 5-12 to 2-5 winners in their Leinster SFC prelim
Former Kildare captain, Grace Clifford, show that she was back to her brilliant best that should earn her a recall to the Kildare team for 2027 as the Eadestown captain scored three goals in a convincing win for the Kildare champions over Meath champions, Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels, in the Preliminary Round of the Leinster LGFA SFC at a sun drenched Eadestown GAA Pitch on Sunday afternoon.
Ruth Sargent gave Stephen Duff’s charges the perfect start with a goal inside three minutes and a move involving Hazel McLoughlin and Clifford ended with corner forward, Kate Murphy palming to the net five minutes later.
The Eadestown first half goal haul was completed in the 18th minute when a poor Dunshaughlin kick out was pounced on by Clifford and she raced through to bury the ball in the Meath net. The strong running Jessica Harney scored three of her four points in that first half.
Dunshaughlin lined out without Niamh Gallogly and Niamh O’Sullivan but had other Meath intercounty players in Meadhbh Byrne and Niamh McEntee and although they scored a goal each in the first half they got very little from the tight marking pair of Áine Mernagh and Ruth Sargent for the Sky Blues.
SWIFT RESPONSE
Dunshaughlin’s response was swift to Eadestown’s second two goals. Byrne’s shot was deflected over the head of Eadestown keeper, Emma Sargent, a minute after Murphy’s goal and McEntee repeated the dose a minute after Clifford’s goal in the 19th minute.
Late points by Ruth Sargent and Jessica Harney, with her third, sent Eadestown in 3-7 to 2-6 in front at the break. We had to wait until the 38th minute for the first score after the restart when Hazel McLoughlin pointed for Eadestown although that was quickly cancelled by a pointed free from Dunshaughlin corner forward, Bronagh Sheridan, the former Cavan intercounty player.
Dunshaughlin started to drop in high balls to their full forward line but to their credit these attacks were dealt with by goalkeeper, Emma Sargent as well as the full back line of Áine Ní Raghallaigh, Áine Mernagh and Anne Marie Logue, until her injury. Midfielder, Laura Byrne also lent a hand in the area when required. Eadestown owned the final ten minutes and they outscored the Meath champions 2-3 to 0-2.
Clifford scored her second goal from a quick sideline kick in the 52nd minute, an unstoppable shot into the top corner, and she finished off her goal haul after being set up by Gráinne Kenneally four minutes from time. Kenneally also got on the scoresheet herself with a point from a free and one from play with Ruth Sargent closing out the scoring. Eadestown will now meet St Patrick’s Lordship at a Louth venue in the Leinster LGFA quarter final on Sunday next.
Scorers, Eadestown: Grace Clifford 3-2 (1 free), Ruth Sargent 1-2, Kate Murphy 1-1, Jessica Harney 0-4, Anna Hynes 0-2, Hazel McLoughlin 0-1.
Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels: Niamh McEntee 1-1, Meadhbh Byrne 1-0, Bronagh Sheridan 0-2 (2 frees), Elena Kennedy 0-1, Karla Kealy 0-1.
EADESTOWN: Emma Sargent; Áine Ní Raghallaigh, Áine Mernagh, Anne Marie Logue; Sophie Boyse, Ruth Sargent, Molly Lawlor; Laura Byrne, Hazel McLoughlin; Anna Hynes, Grace Clifford, Misha Magee; Kate Murphy, Gráinne Kenneally, Jessica Harney. Subs: Maryann Ryan for Anne Marie Logue, 46, Grace Dowling for Anna Hynes 58, Tara Bedford for Misha Magee 58, Anna Harney for Sophie Boyce 58, Katie Harney for Molly Lawlor 60.
DUNSHAUGHLIN ROYAL GAELS: Michelle O’Hare; Sarah Duffy, Ava O’Brien, Keva McTigue; Karla Kealy, Sadhbh O’Muirí, Niamh Summerhill; Ella Moyles, Emily Carter, Leah Sheridan, Meadhbh Byrne, Elena Kennedy; Anna Moyles, Niamh McEntee, Bronagh Sheridan 02. Subs: Laura Murray for Niamh Summerville H/T, Laura Quinn for Emily Carter 38, Ciara Galvin for Leah Sheridan 58.
REFEREE: Marion Hayden (Carlow).