Six goals see Connacht glory
FAR LEFT: Leah Duffy. LEFT: Sinéad Naughton evading
Jenny Linnane of Naomh Mhuire. ABOVE: Team mentor Marty Duffy. points when Rachel O’Brien fizzed over a point.
Naomh Mhuire, sensing that matters were slipping out of reach, put pressure on Eoghan Rua’s goal. Verona Crowley shot for goal but was stopped by Ellen McGuire’s wonder save and then Crowley set up Laura Ahearne, who thrillingly capped a mazy run with a powerful goal. Game on.
Eoghan Rua didn’t take long to reassert themselves. Just four minutes after the restart to be exact. A poor kickout was punished and Orla Naughton passed to Sophie Barrins, wearing the number nine jersey but now stationed in attack, who goaled.
Naomh Mhuire hinted at an immediate comeback but Laura Ahearne blasted a goal shot over for her side’s 10th point.
Eoghan Rua still had to be on their toes – there was a vital interception from corner-back Aoibhe Barrins, with Aisling Molloy also mopping up well in defence – but good points from Rachel O’Brien and Sarah Curley maintained Eoghan Rua’s surge.
Sinead Naughton and Sophie Barrins combined cleverly for the latter to bag her second goal of the afternoon – this was Eoghan Rua’s fifth green flag score – and further points from Louise Lindsay (2) and Leah Duffy all but confirmed Eoghan Rua’s champions’ status with 47 minutes played.
At this stage they led by nine points, 5-10 to 1-11, and even Aisling Molloy getting sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes wasn’t a major concern. A second goal for Naomh
Mhuire – Laura Ahearne the scorer – threatened to derail
Eoghan Rua but this is a skilful bunch and they replied with 1-2 to end Naomh Mhuire’s already fading hopes.
The points came from Sarah Curley, who took a nice score, and Orla Naughton, with Rachel O’Brien finding the net with a spectacular albeit speculative effort. Comfortable with a 13-point advantage, 6-12 to 2-11, Eoghan Rua only scored once more – substitute Grace Martin’s point – as they absorbed late, late pressure from the beaten finalists. There was also a yellow card for Orla Naughton but this didn’t matter.
Verona Crowley scored a goal from a close-range free – merely a consolation score for Naomh Mhuire, with Crowley having a further three attempts at goal blocked by Eoghan Rua’s defence in the closing stages. This was Eoghan Rua’s day and, thanks to their endeavours, a brilliant day for Sligo Ladies Football too.
Sarah Curley
Ellen McGuire, Aoibhe Barrins, Joanne McDonnell (jointcaptain), Laura Foody, Sarah Curley
(0-2), Orna O’Dowd (joint-captain), Geraldine Ruane, Louise Lindsay (1-4), Sophie Barrins (2-0), Orla Naughton (0-1), Sinead Naughton, Fiona Feeney, Leah Duffy (2-3), Rachel O’Brien (1-2, 1f), Aisling Molloy
Subs used: Maeve Duffy, Amiee CawleyFox, Grace Martin (0-1)
Subs not used: Laura Conway, Aisling Foody, Avril Boland, Ellen Feeney, Emily Carden, Lauren Fitzgerald, Jane Rafter, Elisha Queenan, Maeve McKeown, Laura Murphy, Grainne Mahony, Niamh Lang Naomh Mhuire (Galway): Aisling Quinn, Eimear McEnroe, Aoife Keaveney, Alison Coneys, Caoimhe Kelly, Jenny Linnane, Eabha O’Rourke, Sacra Mannion (c), Laura Ahearne (2-1), Lisa Blaney, Verona Crowley (1-8, 1-6f), Alison Blaney, Ciara Fogarty (0-1), Niamh O’Toole, Laura Kelly Subs used: Rosie McMahon, Amy Connolly, Aoife Fogarty, Ciara Crowe Referee: Aaron Clogher (Roscommon)
Well done to Eoghan Rua Ladies team & management on their fantastic Connacht LGFA Junior Club Championship win last Saturday