Division 4 League – First Round

On a bitterly cold and windy Sunday Kildare camogie players began their League campaign for 2009 in a first round tie against Westmeath. Fielding a team made up of experienced players alongside a number of players making their debut at this level Kildare succumbed to a two goal defeat.
Playing with the wind Kildare started brightly with two quick points from Suzie O Carroll . Dinah Loughlin opened Westmeath’s scoring with a pointed free in the fifth minute. Goals from Westmeath’s Denise Mc. Grath and Joanne Walsh rocked Kildare but they tightened up considerably for the rest of the half and began to eat into Westmeath’s lead. Ciara Tallon  fired over a great point and a minute later Suzie O Carroll split the Westmeath defence to finish to the net. Further points from Ciara Talon and midfielder Clare Doran left Kidare narrow leaders 1-5 to 2-1 at half time.
Playing against a strengthening wind in the second half Kidare saw their lead wiped out almost from the resumption when Deirdre Donovan found the net for Westmeath. Roisin O Connell briefly raised Kildare hopes with a goal but despite great effort by the Kildare girls Westmeath went on to add 1-4 to their tally with a goal from Denise Mc. Grath ,a point from Fiona Leavy, and four points from Dinagh Loughlin from frees and pay to leave Westmeath comfortable 4-6 to 2-6 winners in the end.
While disappointed with the result Kildare’s performance overall gives hope for the future as while Westmeath always looked the sharper team eight of the Kildare players made their county debut at this level and the experience gained together with further training under new manager Tom O Mahoney should allow for plenty of improvement as the season progresses.
Kildare’s next outing is against Roscommon in Roscommon on Sunday next 8th February.
Kildare Saileog O Keefe, Gillian Hurley, Niamh Concannon, Reitin Treacy, Niamh Breen, Mel Treacy, Carol Nolan, Ciara Tallon, Clare Doran, Clodagh Farrel. Emer Fallon, Roisin O Connell, Siobhan Hoban, Suzie O Carroll, Jackie O Rourke, Tanya Johnson, Amy O Hara, Sarah Cullen, Karin Lynch, Noeeen Fleming, Grainne Temple, Fiona O Sullivan, Niamh Boland, Orla Ryan, Aileen Mc. Namara, Catriona Pierce Sophie O Donoghue. 
.06  Kildare 2.06

“