BY JACKIE CAHILL Kildare bounced back from a heavy Leinster championship defeat against Laois by upsetting the formbook against Donegal in the TG4 All-Ireland ladies senior football championship qualifier on Monday. Inspired by outstanding midfielder Noelle Earley, sister of Kildare senior star Dermot, the Lilywhites ran out 0-12 to 0-10 winners against Donegal in the first round qualifier at Cavan's Breffni Park. Kildare led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time and could have been further ahead but for fine saves from Donegal goalkeeper Róisín McCafferty and full back Lorraine O'Sullivan, who stopped goalbound efforts from Gillian Behan and Earley respectively. A strong start to the second half from Kildare saw the Leinster outfit storm 0-10 to 0-4 in front and although Donegal fought back to get within two points of the winners, Kildare held on for the win and a place in the second round of All-Ireland qualifiers. Earley deservedly picked up the player-of-the-match award to crown a memorable weekend for the family after brother Dermot inspired Kildare to victory against Fermanagh at Croke Park last Saturday. Corner forward Lisa Higgins scored three points from play as four forwards and both midfielders got on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, the draw for the second round of qualifiers has been made. The four ties will be played next weekend and the draw reads as follows: Laois v Galway Sligo v Kildare Kerry v Down Tyrone v Armagh Kildare scorers: L Higgins 0-3, E Dillon 0-3f, N Earley & S Cannon 0-2 each, G Behan & S Gilabert (f) 0-1 each. Donegal scorers: Y McMonagle 0-4 (3f), A McDonnell 0-2, N Stapleton, T Doherty, E Ward & B Gallagher (f) 0-1 each. Tweet

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