Tinahely see off Louth champions to progress
GERALDINES (LH) 0-9 TINAHELY 0-10
WICKLOW Senior ladies football champions Tinahely came through their Leinster Intermediate championship clash with Louth’s Geraldine’s by the narrowest of margins at McGeough Park on Saturday afternoon last.
The home side started well and after an early wide from Sandra Lynch they created the first goal chance when a quickly taken free by Ciara O’Connor found Ava Kieran in space and as the teenager took aim, she lost her footing on the wet surface and the chance was lost.
Rory Stokes’ side gradually settled into the game and after a sweeping move were denied a goal of their own as county stars Jackie Kinch and Emily Mullhall both had shots stopped on the line by Irene Hoey and Eilish Hand in the fifth minute.
Moments later, Laura Hogan broke through the Gers defence and her goalbound shot was superbly kept out by Grainne Boyle, the first of many fine stops the home keeper would make.
With Gorman and Kinch beginning to dominate the midfield exchanges, points from Ciara Byrne (2) and Gorman had Tinahely 0-3 to 0-0 ahead after 12 minutes.
Shortly after, Boyle again was called into action to again deny Hogan extending the lead even further.
Without key forwards Bonnie and Tess Fleming, Gers had to wait until the 17th minute for their opening score when Rebecca Carr was on target and were soon level when Ava Kieran and Linda McCabe both raising white flags.
Laura Hogan restored Tinahely’s lead from a free before a wonderful pass by Rebecca Carr set up Ava Kieran to level matter’s again
Ciara Byrne and Abbi O’Connor then swapped points, before Laura Hogan took advantage of a defensive error to force another fine save from Boyle who did well to get a hand to Hogan’s well hit shot and divert it over the bar.
Rebecca Carr, however, from a free, ensured that the side’s went in level 0-6 each at the break with a well hit free
Carr from a free had an early chance but her shot came back off the post with Emma Gartlan going close from the resultant play.
Influential midfielder Jackie Kinch returned to the action having spent ten minutes in the sin-bin and this was the signal for a period of Tinahely dominance which saw them hit four unanswered points with Mullhall (2), Byrne and Kinch all on target
The visitors appeared to have put the game beyond the Haggardstown club’s reach in the 50th minute when Ciara Byrne got on the end of a fine Kinch pass, but the goal was dissallowed for a foul on a defender in the build-up.
Just two minutes later, Mullhall eventually found the net but to the frustration of the Wicklow side, match official Sullivan rightly disallowed the score for overcarrying.
Given hope, Gers responded with a surge of their own and after Emma Gartlan hit the woodwork, Carr from a free had Gers first score of the half after 52 minutes. Boosted by this score the home side put the Tinahely defence came severe pressure with centre back Jessie Byrne becoming their second player to be sent to the sin-bin.
Carr was on target twice more to ensure a nervy finish as Geraldine’s couldn’t find the point they needed to force extra-time.
Wicklow’s four-in-a-row champions now march on to face either Meath’s Donaghmore/Ashbourne or Dublin’s Clanna Gael Fontenoy whose game at the weekend had to be rescheduled after an injury to a player.
That game took place last night (Tuesday)
Scorers – Wicklow: Laura Hogan 0-4, Ciara Byrne 0-4, Aoife Gorman 0-1, Jackie Kinch 0-1.
Geraldines: Rebecca Carr 0-5, Ava Kieran 0-2, Lisa McCabe 0-1, Abbi O’Connor 0-1.
TINAHELY: Emily Hadden; Ciara Stokes, Sarah Hogan, Niamh Kenny; Shannagh Gotelen, Jessie Byrne, Aimee Maher; Aoife Gorman, Jackie Kinch; Ciara Byrne, Aine Byrne, Emily Mullhall; Loretta Gilbert, Laura Hogan, Sarah Byrne.
GERALDINES: Grainne Boyle; Irene Hoey, Eilish Hand, Megan Scully; Aine Lynch, Lauren McFaul, Amy Dalton; Helen Ryan, Sandra Lynch; Ava Kieran, Rebecca Carr, Lisa McCabe; Abbi O’Connor, Ciara O’Connor, Emma Gartland. Subs: Sarah Morgan, Fionnuala Cafferty, Andrea Lennon.