Goals help Donard-The Glen get past Glenealy

DONARD-THE GLEN GLENEALY 4-7 0-7

AS the old cliche goes, goals win matches and this was to the fore as the homeside took the spoils in the opening round of the Senior camogie championship against Glenealy.

From the throw in, Katie Ann O’Neill won possession and took a hop off the hurl with the sliotar and mistakingly drove it down the wrong end of the pitch, into her own corner-back Katie Daynes.

Katie went to clear, but was blocked by corner-forward, Jen- nie O’Neill, who was quick to put Laura Manley through on goal but Laura dragged her shot wide.

Lindsay Walshe, the Donard goalie, was quick to strike the ball down the pitch, but Donard were to slow to react, as it went straight back to Laura Manley.

Laura passed the ball to the her midfielder partner, Erynn O’Brien who fed Aoife Weir who took the paint of the wrong side of the post as Donard got of the hook again.

The Donard-The Glen goalie struck the ball down around the midfield area where Chloe Dwyer won possession and laid of to Kelly O’Neill who was fouled. Claire Whelan stepped up to take the free from the 21-meter line,and put the first score with a point, on the board.

The ball was pucked out by Jessica Driver, it went straight to Carmel Whelan who found Claire Whelan with a sublime pass, Claire pointed it over the bar from the right hand side.

A brace of goals by Claire Whelan closed out the opening quarter after some fine stickwork by the Nora O’Neill, Sive Byrne and Samantha Mills, who was on fire through out the game. Laura Manley landed a long-range point to open Glenealy’s account, after good work by Jennie O’Neill to close out the opening quarter with the score 2-03 to 0-01.

Both defences were on top in the next period with some powerful blocking and clearances by both sets of ladies.

Laura Manley sweetly split the posts from a 45 before Claire Whelan closed out the second half with a point with the scoreboard now reading 2-05 to 0-02.

Laura Manley pointed the opening score on the restart for the Reds. Glenealy built a bit of momentum with Eyrnn OBrien pointing a free before Lottie Cullen sent over a mighty point.

However, Donard responded with a rasper of a goal from the hurl of Kelly O’Neill in their first attack of the second period.

Jessica Driver brought off a world class save to keep Donard at bay in the next attack.

Laura Manley pointed the red ladies, sixth point, to close out the third quarter after some fine build up play from Louise Vickers and Aoife Weir.

Carmel Whelan was in fine form for the green and gold, breaking down lots off Glenealy’s attacking play.

Donard introduced a couple of fresh legs and finished out the game the stronger.

Kelly O’Neill and Claire Whelan, who kept all the homeside score’s between themselves,each pointed to increase the lead.

Kelly O’Neill put the game to bed with another major for Donard going into the final moments of the game.

Donard-The Glen will be delighted with their opening round win but will have to sharpen up, on some of their passing and shooting if they want to challenge Knockananna in the latter stages of this championship.

Scorers - Donard: Kelly O’Neill 3-2, Claire Whelan 1-5 (2f ,65).

Glenealy: Laura Manley 0-4 (2, 65), Erynn O’Brien 0-2 (1f), Lottie Cullen 0-1.

Lindsey Walsh; Katie Daynes, Jenny Tyrrell, Carmel Whelan; Casey Kelly, Lizzie Brophy, Aoife Grace; Sive Byrne, Katie Ann O’Neill; Samantha Mills, Nora O’Neill, Amy Switzer; Claire Whelan, Kelly O’Neill, Chloe Dwyer. Subs: Hollie Eve Cullen Dunne, Isobel Keeneghan, Mollie McCormack

Jessica Driver; Denise Walsh, Ailbhe Dowling, Amanda Doyle; Ann Maire Manning, Lisa Hogan, Stacey O’Neill;Laura Manley, Erynn O’Brien; Lottie Cullen, Aoife Weir, Kasey Doyle; Casey Anderson, Louise Vickers,Jennie O’Neill. Fidelma Dowdall (Nurney)