Midlanders turn tables
WESTMEATH WEXFORD 2-10 2-7
THERE WASN’T a great deal between the sides in Mountmellick recently when Wexford went down to Westmeath in the Leinster ladies’ football Under-14 ‘C’ final.
The game started with very even and fast play. Westmeath were first to register with two Shannon Mulvihill points before Wexford replied with their first scores in the eleventh minute: two points by Aoife Cullen following excellent play. It was nip and tuck, with Shannon Mulvihill causing the Wexford defence all sorts of problems.
She goaled in the 15th minute, followed by two great Wexford points by midfielder Katie Breen-Sherlock. Westmeath closed the half with a point to leave them in front at the break by 1-3 to 0-4.
Wexford started the second-half in blistering fashion with two goals by Aoife Wafer and Aoife Cullen either side of an Orlagh Kehoe point in the first eight minutes. Unfortunately, they were to only score two more points for the half from Aoife Wafer and Grace Kehoe, even though they had a lot of possession in the closing ten minutes.
Westmeath hit a purple patch between the 40th and 50th minutes, registering 1-4 without reply including 1-3 by Shannon Mulvihill, the goal coming from the penalty spot.
Wexford stayed in the game through gallant defending and superb goalkeeping by Nicole Gillen. Wexford fought back to be one point behind entering the last seven or eight minutes but, try as they might, they couldn’t find the winning scores.
They squandered several goal chances as they fought to save the game. Westmeath had the last two points to run out deserving winners.
The Wexford team gave a great account of themselves, with fine displays by Nicloe Gillen, Polly Frost and Donna Delahunty in defence, midfielder Katie Breen-Sherlock, attackers Aoife Wafer and Aoife Cullen, and Wexford’s player of the match, midfielder Orlagh Kehoe.
Wexford: Nicole Gillen; Ciara Shannon, Emer Hunt, Anna Roche; Donna Delahunty, Polly Frost, Eilish O’Rourke; Katie Breen-Sherlock (0-2), Orlagh Kehoe (0-1); Emma Tomkins, Aoife Wafer (1-1), Aoife Cullen (1-2); Grace Donovan, Lauren Roban, Grace Kehoe (0-1). Subs. - Leah Kidd for Donovan, Tracey Furlong for Hunt, Sinéad Kirwan (capt.) for G. Kehoe, also Katie O’Reilly, Aisling Comiskey, Karen Tompkins, Laura Banville, Laura Byrne, Leiah O’Rourke, Cora McGrath, Tara Murphy, Olive Curtis.
Westmeath: Aoife O’Donnell; Rachel Darby, Cathy Doyle, Cliona McCormack; Caoimhe McDonnell, Patricia Odunja, Ellen Shaw; Maria Farrell (0-1), Jessica Maloney (0-1); Anna Sheerin, Erin Core (0-1), Hazel Kelly; Kasey Burslem-Rotheroe, Shannon Mulvihill (capt., 2-7, 1-0 pen., 0-1 free), Elaine McGovern. Subs. - Aisling Keogh for Shaw, Caoimhe Monaghan for Kelly.
Roban Financial Under-16 Division 1 North: Shelmalier 6-10, Crossabeg-Ballymurn 3-7.
Roban Financial Under-16 Division 1 South: HWH-Bunclody 2-8, Clonard/Volunteers 1-4; St. Martin’s 3-8, Kilmore 3-7; Horeswood 2-12, Taghmon-Camross 3-8.
Roban Financial Under-16 Division 2 North: St. Brigid’s 5-7, Starlights 5-5; Castletown 7-7, Clonee 2-8.
Roban Financial Under-16 Division 3: Mogue O’Rahilly’s 8-18, Adamstown 2-3; Rathgarogue-Cushinstown beat Sarsfields; Ballyhogue 11-10, Shamrocks 0-1. TUES. JULY 18
Senior championship (7.30 p.m.): Clonee v. St. James’.
Intermediate championship: St. Martin’s v. Shelmalier B (7.45 p.m.); Kilanerin v. Gusserane (8 p.m.); Clongeen v. Fethard.
WEDS. JULY 19 Under-14 Division 1 quarter-final (7.30 p.m.): Shelmalier v. St. Martin’s.
Under-14 Division 2 quarter-finals: Bannow-Ballymitty v. Clonard/ Volunteers A (7.30 p.m.); Adamstown v. Gusserane (7 p.m.); St. James’ v. Kilanerin (7.30 p.m.).
Under-14 Division 2 shield semi-final (7 p.m.): Bunclody v. St. Anne’s.
FRI. JULY 21 Under-14 Division 2 quarter-final (7.30 p.m.): Baile Dubh Tíre v. Horeswood.