Dublin 4-13

Kildare 0-14

By Aisling Clery

A Molly Bourke first half hat trick proved vital as Dublin were crowned Leinster LGFA Minor A Champions for the first time since 2018 when they defeated Kildare at Baltinglass GAA this afternoon.

In an afternoon of all weathers, Dublin scored all four of their goals in the opening half. Captain Charlie Murphy added to Bourke’s hat trick early on. Indeed, Bourke had her hat trick on the twenty-second minute mark and things looked increasingly ominous for the Lilies.

However, to their credit Kildare didn’t panic and set about settling into a rhythm. Ruth Dillon, Leah Tyrrell and Tara Rafferty converted some excellent scores and with Aisling Irhue winning the ball at midfield, there was hope for a comeback at the half time break, despite the 4-06 to 0-08 scoreline.

On the resumption, Kildare set about finding a goal of their own and despite several efforts and some excellent saves by Dublin goalkeeper Kalia Behan, the Lilies were not to find the net. They did take some excellent scores, with captain Tara Rafferty leading by example. The captain, from Maynooth, finished with 0-6, while Ruth Dillon, Leah Tyrrell and Aoibheann Birchall all got a brace each.

Dublin finished with a flourish of scores, Bourke hitting a free and Rebecca McEvoy and Olivia Hanley both converting from play. There were great scenes of celebration as Dublin were crowned Minor A Champions shortly after the full-time whistle.

SCORERS: Dublin: Molly Bourke 3-02(1f), Charlie Murphy 1-01, Líle Tully 0-03, Gemma Connolly 0-02(2f), Ellie Reen, Zara Flood, Laoise Murtagh, Rebecca McEvoy, Olivia Hanley 0-01 each.

Kildare: Tara Rafferty 0-06 (4f), Ruth Dillon, Leah Tyrell, Aoibheann Birchall 0-02 each, Kate Kealy, Aisling Irhue 0-01 each.

DUBLIN: K Behan; K Hayes, T Walsh, A Pollock; C Sheedy, H Murphy, K O’Donovan; S McDonnell, L Tully; M Bourke, L Murtagh, C Murphy (C); E Reen, Z Flood, G Connolly.

Subs: E Arheit, R McEvoy, O Hanley, C Almeida, K Mooney, H O’Rourke, E Dowling, N Mooney, R Kirby, C Sone Lenou, Z Kós, P Macken, S Peyton, G McCoy, A Ryan.

KILDARE: A McKeown; M Molloy, A McNally, C Noone; A O’Brien, L Cullinan, E Earls; A Irhue, A Hynes; L Tyrrell, T Rafferty (C), H Merrick; K Kealy, J McNulty, R Dillon.

Subs: T Kinahan, A Cullen, J Power, C Berrigan, A Birchall, C Mallon, A Morley, A Hennessy, A Tyrrell, E Gallagher, L Martin, E Dunne, M O’Byrne, M Lawlor, M Conroy.

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).

Photo: Aisling Clery