Four sisters on Stabannon side
THE McNally sisters from Castlebellingham made history last week when they all lined out for Stabannon’s senior ladies team.
Ruth, Laura and Rachel started the home game against Cooley and with 20 minutes to go, the youngest of the McNally sisters, Ciara, made her debut on the senior team.
The clash was Stabannon’s third fixture in a busy week which began with a big home win over St Mochta’s.
On Wednesday night it was off to Na Piarsaigh’s pitch in Dundalk to meet the combined Na Piarsaigh/Roche outfit.
Stabannon, led by Michelle McArdle and Orlagh Byrne as captains for 2017, got off to a great start and led by 1-9 to 0-3 at half-time.
While this was a strong performance by the mid Louth side their lead should have been greater at half team as the missed at least three goal opportunities in the half.
Losing Aine McGee and Byrne seemed to unsettle the mid-Louth girld in the second half, but they managed to hold an improved home side at bay to secire a 2-11 to 0-7 victory.
In their third game of the week, Stabannon took on Cooley at home in what is always a tough encounter.
A number of injuries and absences forced some starting changes on the Stabannon side with Laura McNally starting for Andrea Carney, Grace Rogers coming in for the injured Orlagh Byrne and Danielle Sharkey starting in place of the absent Aine McGee.
It was the two Graces who ensured a strong start for the home side with both Rogers and Lynch hitting the back of the net to put the home side ahead early on in the game.
Bronagh McGrane racked up three points in the opening half, while Rachel McNally scored 1-1 and Danielle Sharkey scored a point to leave the score 3-7 to 0-3 at the breake.
The home side continued where they left off with Grace Lynch in fine form.
Cooley hit back with a goal to give them some hope, but Stabannon re-grouped quickly and it was Rachel McNally who conjured the perfect response by hitting the net at the other end.
Grace Lynch and Bronagh McGrane scored another two points for Stabannon.
However Cooley were never going to give up and they hit the net again soon after.
The Peninsula girls needed goals at that stage and they reduced the gap to nine with another strike. Danielle Sharkey responded with a point and at all times when Cooley scored, Stabannon were able to work the ball back up the field and respond immediately with a score of their own.
Cooley converted a penalty to net their fourth goal, but Stabannon were still comfortable and held out for a 5-15 to 4-6 victory.