Fourth time lucky for Kildare in Tracey Gunson Shield final

After enduring the heartbreak of three straight final losses, Kildare Catholic College thwarted their rival's quest for a sixth straight Tracey Gunson Shield with a 28-21 victory last night.

No more than three goals separated the sides for most of the match, but an older and more battle-hardened Kildare dominated the last four minutes to seal the win.

Up just 22-21, Kildare captain Flynn Hogg forced a turnover which saw her side score the last six goals of the match.

Their defensive pressure proved too much to handle for a young Mater Dei side who played outstanding for the majority, in particular year nine goal attack Ash Reynoldson.

For Kildare defender and player of the match Lilly Buchanan, it was redemption after she and teammate Eliza Kelly were part of the side that lost the Carroll Cup open girls football final to Mater Dei on Wednesday.

Buchanan was part of the last two Kildare teams to contest the final, and said sending out co-captains and year 12 students Flynn Hogg and Frances Heffernan out on a high was motivation.

"It's so good (to win), it's been a long time coming," Buchanan said.

"This was the one we had to get for them in their last year. It was good to send them off with that.

"Our pressure got it done in the end. Hopefully there's a few more to come, but we'll see how we go next year."

Kildare coach Jackie Byrne praised her team's composure in the dying stages.

" think we were just really settled and had a few more options in attack to get to our shooters. We really stayed focussed the last couple of minutes," she said.

"I thought Flynn was awesome. She shot the ball well and turned over ball."

Mater Dei coach Bernadette Priest said her young side will have learned plenty from the pressure of a final for future campaigns.

"I was so impressed with our goals to be so competitive. I'm not even devastated because I'm so proud of how they played," she said.

In the year 7-8 decider The Riverina Anglican College overcame Kildare in a thriller 26-25, with Ava Pritchett named the player of the match.

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