JOY FOR GERALDINES
GERALDINES have been crowned Louth Ladies football champions for a the second successive year after they saw off St. Brides in Stabannon on Saturday afternoon.
Paula Lavin’s side were ruthless, clinical and brilliant in a victory which shows they are still the team to beat in Louth.
After a dominant first half display the holders led by 3-8 to 0-2 thanks to a superb all round team performance in which Brides had no answer to the power, pace, work rate and desire of their opponents.
The better side from the getgo, a clinical Geraldines were certainly worthy of their victory in a game where the girls in green and white were always on top against a Brides team who were unable to repeat their heroics of earlier rounds.
It was the more experienced Geraldines who started the better and when captain Lauren
McFaul hit an early point, it was quickly followed by the game’s first goal as Ciara O’Connor smashed an unstoppable shot past Ciera Laverty after good approach play by younger sister Abbi in the third minute.
Well taken points from Sarah Fagan and Amy McNally kept the Knockbridge side in touch before Gers plundered their second goal. The outstanding Abbi O’Connor raced through the heart of the Brides defence and cracked a wonderful shot to the net which was quickly followed by a further point leaving Gers 2-5 to 0-2 ahead at the water break.
The short break did little to slow the momentum of the champions as they added further points from Carr, Ciara O’Connor and McFaul in between an Emma Gartland goal leaving Gers in control as they led 3-8 to 0-2 ahead at the interval.
Those who had hoped for a more even second half were disappointed as the Haggardstown outfit continued to dominate possession and surprisingly they had to wait eleven minutes to score when after Ciera Rafferty pulled off one of a number of outstanding saves the former Louth and Naomh Malachi defender made. However, she could do nothing when Louise Corcoran beat her marker and fired to the net in some style. A brave Brides to their credit never gave up but it was Gers who upped the tempo further and added further points with Ciara O’Connor, McFaul (2) and Rebecca Carr all on target to a solitary reply from Ailish Noonan to put 22 points between the sides.
A further two goals from Ava Kiernan in the dying moments ensured Gers cruised to a second SFC title in as many years. GERALDINES; Grainne Boyle, Megan Scully, Eilish Hand, Holly Lambe Sally, Amy Dalton, Gemma McCrave, Aiine Lynch, Rebecca Carr 0-04, Lauren McFaul 0-03, Lisa McCabe, Abbi O’Connor 1-00, Emma Gartland 1-00, Victoria Fee 0-01, Ciara O’Connor 1-02, Louise Corcoran 1-03. Subs used; Ava Kieran 2-00, Sandra Neary, Helen McEneaney, Sharon O’Connor.
Ciara Laverty, Niamh Sweeney, Rebecca Hilliard, Karen Gogarty, Niamh Bailey , Caoimhe Hoey, Niamh Belton 0-01, Ailish Noonan 0-01, Kate Wynn, Aimee McNally 0-02, Sarah Fagan, Kerri O’Connor, Bronagh McArdle, Lily Fagan, Emma McArdle. Subs used; Ruth Hanna, Ellen McBride, Aoife Reilly.