Gaels storm home!
Shanahan goal inspires Clan na Gael to sweet victory
THE ‘B’ final of the Wicklow Ladies Intermediate football championship turned into a well contested and exciting affair in An Tochar GAA ground on Saturday evening last.
In the early stages of the first half Éire Óg looked the more confident but remained scoreless. Clan na Gael centre back Shauna Kearns eventually opened the scoring with probably the outstanding score of the game. She began the move herself, linked up with Helen Kirwan and took the return pass to open the scoring with a great goal.
Éire Óg responded quickly and had points from Ellie O’Neill (2) and Elaina Fusciard to bring the sides level at the ten-minute mark.
Clan na Gael were having difficulty winning their own kick outs and Megan Healy, Katie Lawless, Kerryann Hamilton and Elaine Fusciard continued to keep the pressure on.
When Kerryann netted the first Éire Óg goal to leave her side ahead by 1-3 to 1-0 it was no more than they deserved. But the Kilmacanogue/Enniskerry combination came fighting back and Laura O’Toole levelled matters when she beat Alana Johnston with a shot to the roof of the net.
Centre forward Helen Kirwan put the Gaels back ahead when she chalked up their third goal, again with a long ball in over the head of the goalie. Melissa Walsh added a point from a free to leave the Gaels 3-1 to 1-3 ahead.
Kerryann Hamilton pointed a free for Éire Óg and full-forward
Elaina Fusciard pulled a close in shot just wide when it seemed certain that she was about to bring the sides level again. Sophie Nolan added on another Clan na Gael point in the first minute of added time to leave the Gaels ahead by 3-1 to 1-4.
Éire Óg began the second half in a determined fashion and Elaina Fusciard had the ball in the Clan na Gael net in their opening attack. Gaels responded with two Laura Shanahan points but Katie Lawless brought the sides level at 3-4 each when she scored Éire Óg’s third goal.
Back came the Clan na Gael side. Laura O’Toole put them
ahead with a point and when Shauna Kearns set up Laura Shanahan for the fourth Clan goal, they were now four points to the good.
The Gaels began to enjoy the bulk of the outfield possession from here on in but they were unable to show it on the scoreboard. A battling Éire Óg defence, good goalkeeping from Alana Johnson and some bad misses from the Gaels attack left Éire Óg within a goal of a comeback until the final few minutes.
A pointed free from Kerryann Hamilton left Éire Óg just a goal adrift at 4-5 to 3-5 as we entered the final quarter. While not scoring themselves Clan na Gael closed up and closed the shutters and goalkeeper Katie Walsh, full-back Naomi Kirwan with outstanding centre back Shauna Kearns kept all Éire Óg’s efforts at bay.
Laura Shanahan (2) and Laura O’Toole had the final Clan na Gael points while the final Éire Óg response came from a Kerryann Hamilton free.
Clan na Gael ran out deserving winners of a sporting and enjoyable game.
Dominic Leech presented the trophy to Naomi Kirwan, captain of Clan na Gael.
Katie Walsh; Paris Flynn, Naomi Kiernan, Michelle Murray; Lisa Brady, Shauna Kearns (1-0), Jamie Carr; Tara Costello, Blaithin Butler; Sophie Nolan (0-1), Helen Kirwan (1-0), Sophie Carr; Laura Shanahan (1-4), Melissa Walsh (0-1), Laura O’Toole (1-2). Subs: Emma Prendergast for Sophie Carr, Ali Kavanagh for Paris Flynn.
ÉIRE ÓG: Alana Johnson; Katie O’Reilly, Aoife McTague, Orla Minogue; Megan Maguire, Ciara Patrick, Ella Morgan; Megan Healy, Katie Lawless (1-0); Ciara Doyle, Kerryann Hamilton (1-3), Ashling Roche; Ellie O’Neill (0-2), Elaina Fusciard (1-1), Jess Maxwell. Subs: Sophie Gummerson for Katie O’Reilly, Eva Moore for Ciara Doyle, Lisa Murphy for Jess Maxwell. REFEREE: Terry Canavan (Arklow)