Kildare 1-7 Laois 2-11
Littlewoods Ireland National Camogie League Division 2
Laois lost home advantage in this game over being unable to find a suitable pitch for today’s encounter but they still won the match.
The game had originally been scheduled for Rathdowney but weather conditions made the pitch unplayable.
The search was on to find another venue in Laois but none could be found so they had to concede home advantage and travel to Clane in Kildare for the game.
Laois looked set to cruise to victory as they led by six points with ten minutes to play but the home side staged something of a late revival which just fell short.
In the end, a late goal from substitute Eimear Guidrea gave manager David Dunning the win in his first competitive game in charge of the team.
Laois’s star forward Sarah Ann Fitzgerald missed this match through injury with Camross’ Niamh Dollard taking over the free taking and she put Laois ahead after three minutes.
However, Kildare responded well. Dearbhail Kelly scored a goal with their first meaningful attack as she blasted the sliotar into the top corner of the net.
Laois hit back through Aisling O’Dea but Kildare remained two points clear with 20 minutes played thanks to Melissa Lyons.
Nevertheless, Laois finished the half like a train to take a five point lead into the interval.
Dollard shot over three more frees with Lizzie Ryan getting another while Laois also managed a goal.
The Kildare keeper pulled off two fine saves but the ball eventually came to Dollard who pulled on the ball on the 13 metre line and it nestled in the corner of the net – Laois leading 1-6 to 1-1 at half time.
Kildare cut the gap to three points on the resumption of play with a quick brace of 45s from Emer Reilly.
But Laois forged on again with some great play from wing back Roisin Kilmartin setting up points for Eimear Guidrea, Aisling O’Dea and Niamh Dollard.
Back came Kildare though as Emer Reilly and Melissa Ryan split the posts to reduce the margin to three points with five minutes to play.
Nevertheless, Laois got a second goal to kill the game. Roisin Kilmartin was involved again as Niamh Dollard and Lizzie Ryan combined to set up substitute Eimear Guidrea to ram home the match winning goal.
Laois are off next weekend before playing host to Kilkenny in Round 2.
SCORERS – Laois: Niamh Dollard 1-5 (five frees), Eimear Guidrea 1-2, Aisling O’Dea and Lizzie Ryan 0-2 each Kildare: Dearbhail Kelly 1-0, Emer Reilly 0-5, Melissa Lyons 0-2
LAOIS: Laura Dunne (St Brigid’s); Olga Parkinson (Camross), Rosemary Bermingham (O’Moore’s), Mariead Burke (Camross); Joan Dollard (The Harps), Aisling Burke (Camross), Roisin Kilmartin (St Brigid’s); Alison McEvoy (O’Moore’s), Aoife Hyland (O’Moore’s); Jenny McEvoy (O’Moore’s), Niamh Dollard (Camross), Aisling O’Dea (Camross); Amy Loughmann (O’Moore’s), Rebecca Williams (O’Moore’s), Lizzie Ryan (Camross). Subs: Amy Collier (Camross) for Dollard, Kirstan Keenan (Camross) for O’Dea, Eimear Guidrea (St Brigid’s) for Williams
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