Sligo can draw positives from result in Offaly
Gutsy performance yields a point from trip to Ferbane
Lidl Ladies NFL
Division Three – Round One Offaly 1-8 Sligo 1-8
SLIGO could have won. They might have lost. Therefore, a draw from their opening round game of this year’s Lidl Ladies National Football League, a 1-8 to 1-8 stalemate with Offaly, was a fitting result at the home of Ferbane GAA Club on Sunday last.
Substitute Rianne Smith’s second pointed free gave Sligo a slender lead, 1-8 to 1-7, with six minutes of normal time left. Cormac Reape’s charges managed to hold this slim advantage until the last minute when Offaly landed the equalising point – the game’s 18th score. Ellie
McEvoy, who had taken over free-taking duties following Roisin Cockram’s withdrawal, kicked the levelling score – the ball hopped on the crossbar on its way over and, for a split second, looked like it was going to creep into the top corner of the net. Sligo, who were resilient and industrious throughout, might have crumpled as Offaly pressed for a winning score – or, at the very minimum, a free that could be converted to put them back in front. But they stood firm. Indeed, Sligo could have snatched glory at the death but Nicola Brennan was off target – this was only Sligo’s third wide (compared to Offaly’s seven misses).
Also so important in that second period was a double save from Sligo goalkeeper Ellen McGuire when matters were in the melting pot.
Sligo’s refusal to buckle at the end of the second-half mirrored their attitude at the end of the first-half. Then, their situation seemed precarious when Ciara Walsh applied a goal finish to a crafty 29th minute move from the hosts. Now four points down, 1-5 to 0-4, Sligo were desperate for a response before the break.
It came in the second minute of stoppage time. Jade Lyons and Aishling Molloy worked the ball to Leah Duffy and the corner-forward, well curbed by Offaly’s defence, saw her goalbound shot kept out by Kelley Cunningham, who returned to Offaly duty last year after 10 years away from the inter-county scene.
The rebound fell to Aishling Molloy who steered her shot into the net. Sligo were back in the game.
A point behind going into the second-half, 1-5 to 1-4, they were level within three minutes of the restart when Ciara Gorman converted a free after a foul on Leah Duffy.
From then on it was nip and tuck as both sides showed attacking intent and also defensive persistence. The gap was never more than a point and they scores were tied on three more occasions.
One of Sligo’s four second-half points, a 45th minute effort by substitute Megan McCormack, from a Jade Lyons pass, came within seconds of a goal effort from Nicola Brennan that came off the Offaly crossbar.
An Offaly error saw the ball spill to Brennan, who clipped a ground shot goalwards only for the woodwork to save the home side.
Even with Storm Isha yet to unless her full fury, it was still a stormy day at Ferbane with rain and a swirling wind.
Given that both
The number of scores produced in last Sunday’s Lidl Ladies NFL clash of Sligo and Offaly at Ferbane. teams underwhelmed in last year’s Division Three – with just one win each – and they avoided relegation (just), this was a clean slate.
Sligo, eager to move the ball smartly and at pace (although there was a reluctance to shoot from distance), were 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after 11 minutes through scores by Tara Breheny, who pointed with aplomb, and Ciara Gorman.
But Offaly hit the next four points to lead 0-5 to 0-2 by the 24th minute. What the scoreboard said was a surprise because Sligo had possession in midfield – goalkeeper Ellen McGuire’s restarts were good – and scoring opportunities.
There were also several telling defensive interceptions from Cara King and Aishling Molloy, with full-back Ellie McDermott and centre-back Claire Dunne also proving watchful.
It took a point from the experienced Nicola Brennan to lift Sligo and when Tara Breheny kicked another stylish point from play – after Leah Kelly and Jade Lyons set up the shooting chance – Sligo were revived.
Even an Offaly goal couldn’t derail Sligo, who gave as good as they got during the well-contested and fairly even second-half.
Impressive for Sligo were Ellen McGuire, Aishling Molloy, Ellie McDermott, Tara Breheny, team captain Claire Dunne, Sinead Regan, Jade Lyons and Leah Kelly.
Substitutes Megan McCormack and Rianne Smith, brought on to refresh Sligo’s attack, will feel they did enough to merit starts in round two.
They’ll need to bring last Sunday’s determination to Clarecastle this Sunday where Clare, last year’s TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship runners-up, await.
Best for Sligo: Aishling Molloy
Sligo: Ellen McGuire, Aishling Molloy (1-0), Ellie McDermott, Aoife Morrisroe, Cara King, Claire Dunne (c), Tara Breheny (0-2), Sarah Cunney, Sinead Regan, Cora Gilligan, Leah Kelly, Jade Lyons, Ciara Gorman (0-2, 2f), Nicola Brennan (0-1), Leah Duffy