Super save sends An Tochar through to Junior decider

at Ashford AN TOCHAR AGB 2-9 2-7

AN Tochar secured a place in the county Junior final when they dispatched AGB in the semi-final in Ashford last weekend.

A slow start didn’t do AGB any favours as An Tochar scored a goal with their first attack.

This shocked AGB into life and they replied with a quick 1-1 to edge into the lead. A fast free flowing game ensued.

AGB were two points to the good in first half injury time when An Tochar were awarded a penalty for a push on their full-forward. Laura Rice in the goal wasn’t in the mood to surrender the lead, diving full length to her left to keep out Amy Murphy’s well struck dead ball. The second half brought more of the same and An Tochar scored four early points to get their noses in front. The game was end to end and a great example of ladies football was served up for the large crowd.

Both goalkeepers were on fire with some magnificent saves and this game was in the balance right up to the last kick of the match.

With AGB trailing by four with four minutes to play they never panicked and slotted over two points heading into the last minute. One more attack saw the ball bounce around in front of the An Tochar goalmouth. Muireann O’Connor got a shot off. The ball was heading for the corner of the net but the goalkeeper threw herself across and got a hand to the ball shortly followed by the final whistle.

Scorers - An Tochar: Therese Molloy 1-1, Amy Murphy 0-6, Jessie Scott 0-1, Aoife Murtagh 1-0, Sarah O’Toole 0-1

AGB: Niamh Geoghan 1-02, Abbie Healy 1-04, Lucie Kindlon 0-01. VALLEYMOUNT ensured their passage to the final of the ladies Intermediate football championship as they put in a superb second half display against arch rivals St Nicholas in a packed Baltinglass on Saturday evening last.

Amy Burke knocked over a sweet point in the opening minute before Lisa Lawlor levelled the game from a 21m free for St Nic’s.

Lisa Lawlor blazed a shot over the crossbar as Valleymount got off the hook in the next attack.

Valleymount lost midfielder, Annie Maguire to the bin on a yellow card and Lisa Lawlor duly pointed the resultant free to put St Nicholas 0-2 to 0-1 up to close out the opening quarter.

With the numerical advantage, St Nics drove on and added points from Lisa Lawlor and Sarah Reid, belting over a fine point.

Full-forward Jill Fadian goaled for the first major of the game for St Nics, after great work by Chloe Dwyer with 20 minutes on the clock.

However Valleymount got back into the thick of things when Annie Maguire added a point and then goaled after great play by Lizzie Brophy.

Each side traded a couple of wides before Lisa Lawlor angled over another pointed free for Nic’s. Kelly O Neill and Hollie Eve Cullen Dunne cleared the next couple of Nic’s attacks before Amy Burke pointed to close out the opening half with the scoreboard reading 1-5 to 1-3 in favour of St Nic’s.

St Nic’s appied a lot of pressure early through Katie Ann O Neill and Clodagh Kelly, but goalie Emer Miley saved a couple of shots as Nic’s went for the jugular. Amy Burke pointed to leave the minimum in this tight encounter. Sarah Reid made a darting run and