Mattock see off Pat’s in league final
A superb second half display by Mattock Rangers inspired by the brilliant Maria Reid who hit 2-6 of her side’s total ensured the Division 2 League trophy found its way to Collon on Sunday.
It was the Collon side who started the better as early points from Hannah Carolan and Maria Reid gave them the start they would have been hoping for. That advantage was wiped out however in the fifth minute when Kate Flood won possession and beat a couple of defenders before sending a low shot beyond Anna Brennan.
Mattock who were playing some fine combination football were soon back in front when the talented Marie Reid unleashed a superb shot into the roof of the Pats net after good work by Rachel Kane and Carolan.
Ciara Eccles added a further point but Pats came back with points of their own from from Connor and a fine effort from Grace Traynor.
Reid from a free extended Mattock’s lead 1-4 to 1-2 before the green and white clad outfit were back in front when Catherine O’Connor rose highest to flick a Meg Woods centre to the net.
Kate Flood and Grainne Reid then swapped points before Flood had the last score of the half to give the Pats an interval 2-4 to 1-5 lead
The pep talk delivered by Alan Fedigan and Peter Dooley clearly had an effect as the club close to the Meath border resumed in some style hitting four points without reply courtesy of Grainne Reid, Eccles and Maria Reid(2) as Mattock took a firm grip on proceddings.
Pats stemmed the tide when after a fine move Aisling O’Doherty found herself in some space and her expert finish saw the ball nestle in the corner of the net putting them back in front 3-4 to 1-9 on thirty eight minutes.
Points from Reid and Eccles restored the Mattock advantage before the Pats hopes took a major hit when the impressive Aisling O’Doherty recieved a yellow card in the 50th minute and then Kate Flood saw her goal bound shot kept out by a post.
Boosted by this let off Mattock’s Ciara Eccles was put in the clear after a fine passage of play involving a number of their players and the half forward finished in some style leaving her side 2-12 to 3-5 ahead in the 55th minute.
Kate Flood with a point kept Pats in touch but when Maria Reid spotted Nadine Callan had advanced from her goal line the ex County star delightfully floated the ball over the keeper and into the net to put the seal on a wonderful performance
The Collon side have made fine progress since their formation in 2011.
Last season they were operating out of League Division 3 and as a result of this win will play in the top Division in 2019
The attention of both clubs will now turn to the Intermediate Championship which gets underway on Sunday week July 8th with Mattock taking on Glyde Rangers and St.Patricks meeting the O’Raghallaighs/Plunkets combination.
MATTOCK Rangers; Anna Brennan, Lisa Duff, Anna Dunne,Meabh Hickey, Rebecca Levins, Megan Minogue, Kelly Connor,Rachel Kane, Hannah Carolan 0-01, Abbie O’Brien, Ciara Eccles 1-03,Grainne Reid 0-02, Niamh Dooley, Maria Reid 2-06
ST.PATRICKS, Nadine Callan, Melissa O’Hanlon, Caoimhe Breen, Ellen Barry, , Chloe Barry, Catherine O’Connor 1-00,Claire Savage, Grace Traynor 0-01, Aine Breen, Aisling O’Doherty, 1-00, Kate Flood, 1-05, Jacqui Kirk, Nicola Connor,0-01, Orna McArtain, Megan Woods Subs used; Evelyn Donnelly, Deirbhle O’Doherty
REFEREE, Des McDonnell (St.Nicholas) • In the Division 1 league semi final, St.Fechins caused a major upset by beating holders Stabannon 5-05 to 1-12 to set up a meting with Geraldines who beat St.Mochtas 1-11 to 1-10 in the other semi-final.