WOMEN'S FOOTBALL - Kildare 0-12 Donegal 0-10:KILDARE bounced back from a heavy Leinster championship defeat to Laois by upsetting the formbook against Donegal in the TG4 All-Ireland women's senior football championship first round qualifier at Breffni Park yesterday.
Inspired by outstanding midfielder Noelle Earley, sister of Kildare star Dermot, Kildare led 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time and could have been further ahead but for fine saves from Donegal goalkeeper Róisín McCafferty and full back Lorraine O'Sullivan, who stopped goal-bound efforts from Gillian Behan and Earley respectively.
A strong start to the second half saw Kildare extend their lead to 0-10 to 0-4 and, although Donegal fought back to get within two points of the winners, Kildare held on to secure the win and a place in the second round of qualifiers.
Earley deservedly picked up the player-of-the-match award to crown a memorable weekend for the family after brother Dermot inspired Kildare to victory against Fermanagh at Croke Park on Sunday. Corner forward Lisa Higgins scored three points from play as four forwards and both midfielders got on the scoresheet.
SCORERS
Kildare:L Higgins 0-3, E Dillon 0-3f, N Earley & S Cannon 0-2 each, G Behan & S Gilabert (free) 0-1 each.
Donegal:Y McMonagle 0-4 (three frees), A McDonnell 0-2, N Stapleton, T Doherty, E Ward & B Gallagher (free) 0-1 each.
SECOND ROUND QUALIFIER DRAW:Laois v Galway; Sligo v Kildare; Kerry v Down; Tyrone v Armagh. Ties to be played next weekend.
• Dublin claimed the All-Ireland minor women's football crown for the first time with a 2-18 to 1-4 victory against Tyrone in yesterday's final at Breffni Park.
