Mighty Miley stars for Valleymount

VALLEYMOUNT TINAHELY 3-9 0-12

A host of brilliant saves by the evergreen Emer Miley was hugely pivotal in this highly competitive ladies Intermediate football championship game on Sunday morning last.

‘Mighty’ Miley, not one, but three penalties later, stood strong as Tinahely could not register a green flag throughout from a host of chances and her performance along with a strong second half performance by Valleymount turned out to be the difference between two well balanced side’s.

Throw in was delayed with both teams turned out in red. After a quick dash to Hollywood, the Valleymount ladies changed to the green and gold and away we went.

Eimear O’Brien landed the opening score of the game with a point for the visitors. Alice Mulhall landed a second point, before Amy Burke got Valleymount up and running in the 8th minute with a long-range point.

Tinahely were applying alot of pressure early on with Eimear O’Brien and Siofra Byrne highly influential, both tagged on points to increase the lead.

Eimear O’Brien laid a beautiful pass of to Alice Mulhall whose blistering shot was sensationally tipped out by a fully stretched Emer Miley for a 45. From the resultant 45, a high ball dropped in and a penalty was called. Eimear O’Brien saw her effort crash back out of the upright as Valleymount got off the hook.

Siofra Byrne added a point for Tinahely. A brace of points by Amy Burke put Valleymount back in the hunt.

Tinahely won another penalty in the next attack and, amazingly, O’Brien hit the same spot on the upright. But wait, more drama, the ref called for a retake, much to the annoyance of the vocal home support.

Eimear O’Brien placed the ball on the spot for the third time, yet again Emer Miley came to the rescue with another unbelievable save.

Eimear O’Brien added a brace of points to close out the first half with the score 0-7 to 0-4 in favour of Tinahely.

Tinahely increased the lead with another brace of points. Emer Miley found Daisie Summer Cullen Dunne with the kick out,who laid the ball off to Claire Miley who put Amy Burke through to shake the net for the move of the match.

Amy Burke and Ali Miley tagged on two more points as Valleymount found a new lease of life. More drama was to follow as Amy Burke, in full flight, had what looked like a good goal ruled out for a square ball infringement, once again the ref felt the vocal wrath of the home support.

Shonagh Byrne saved well from a Amy Burke shot as Valleymount turned the screw. The highly influential Amy Burke landed her second goal in the next attack.

Alanna Davison was clearing alot of dirty ball for Tinahely. Dasie Summer Cullen Dunne killed of the game with Valleymount’s third major in the 29th minute.

Tinahely battled on, with fine performances from Eimear O’Brien and Siofra Byrne, but could not add to their tally, while best for the Valleymount side were the impressive Emer Miley with a string of crucial saves and Amy Burke.

Scorers - Valleymount: Amy Burke 2-7, Daisie Summer Cullen Dunne 1-0, Noirin O’Connor 0-1, Niamh Kelly 0-1, Ali Miley 0-1

Tinahely: Eimear O’Brien 0-6, Siofra Byrne 0-3, Alice Mulhall 0-2, Deirdre Lancaster 0-1

Emer Miley; Ellen Traynor, Ashling Mahon, Eimear Behan; Hollie Eve Cullen Dunne, Ali Miley, Kelly O’Neill; Annie Maguire, Sive Byrne; Daisie Summer Cullen Dunne, Niamh Kelly, Amy Allen; Noreen O’Connor, Amy Burke, Emma Richardson. Subs: Emma Callaghan, Caroline Cahill, Claire Miley, Saoirse O’Toole.

Shonagh Byrne; Niamh Byrne, Shannagh Goetelen, Alanna Davison; Aisling Winterbotham, Dervla Donlon, Abbey Doyle; Leah Gerathy, Emily O’Reilly; Deirdre Lancaster, Siofra Byrne, Eimer Mutton; Maude R. Green, Eimear O’Brien, Alice Mulhall. Subs: Rebecca Kelly, Caoimhe Murphy

Declan Peppard