Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1504175
38 | SUMMER 2023 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie INTERVIEW STEPPING UP TO THE SPOT... H er previous attempt at scoring a penalty may have gone viral, but Kildare attacker Neasa Dooley ensured she didn't leave anything to chance when it came to stepping up to the spot in her side's dramatic Lidl National Football Division 3 final triumph over Clare at Parnell Park on April 16. After her dead-ball strike against Wexford at Hawkfield in round seven of the NFL on March 26 rattled the underside of the crossbar, Dooley spectacularly volleyed the rebound into the back of the Slaneysiders' net. This superb effort gained considerable traction across a variety of social media platforms and brought the Athy forward's personal tally for 2023 up to 6-17. Dooley admitted to having some mixed feelings about the way this score unfolded and it meant she was all the more determined to dispatch her penalty in the Division 3 decider with clinical precision. "A good bit came out of that last penalty, but I obviously wasn't happy I didn't score it first time. You're not going to get these things unless you practice, practice, practice. That's what I did and I'm thankful it went into the back of the net," Dooley acknowledged. This was just one of many standout moments in a game that will live long in the memory of those who were lucky enough to be in attendance. Having found themselves six points clear with three-quarters of normal time played, Kildare were subsequently pegged back by their Munster counterparts with a nerveless free from Fidelma Marrinan forcing the game into extra-time. Clare appeared to have the upper hand when Marrinan added a goal in the additional periods, but three points without reply from Roisin Byrne - who finished with 0-10 to her name - made sure Kildare Kildare's Neasa Dooley talks to Daire Walsh about Lidl National Football Division 3 final triumph over Clare.