Win for ladies in League
SLIGO 3- 6 WESTMEATH 1- 8
THIS WIN SETS PADDY HENRY’S SIDE IN GOOD POSITION FOR WATERFORD
PADDY Henry and the Sligo Ladies came into this game with high hopes of picking up their first points of this year’s Lidl NFL after losing out to Tyrone by four points in round one.
Westmeath were coming to Cloonacool on the back of a great win over Cavan the previous Sunday so it was all to play for.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring when Fiona Claffey pointed from a free just inside 20- metre line. Sligo hit back with points from Karen Maloney and Laura Ann Laffey to give Sligo the lead.
A goal and a point from Westmeath’s Laura Walsh was added to with a pointed free from Lucy McCartan to give Westmeath a four- point lead with 20 minutes played,
Sligo hit back first Karen Maloney found herself with only the keeper to beat and did so, clinically placing the ball low to the back of the net
That was then added to by Stephanie O’Reilly and Laffey both pointing within a minute of each other to leave Sligo with a two- point lead at half- time, 1- 5 to 1- 3.
Laffey kicked Sligo three points up in the second half but Westmeath hit back kicking four points in a row to lead by one with ten minutes to play.
Sligo were still in this game and late goals from substitutes Sarah McMorland and Maryanne O’Kennedy sealed the the points for Paddy Henry’s side.
McMoreland’ first touch was to react to a rebound and finish to the back of Karen Walsh’s goal. She added Sligo’s final score in injury time to seal the win. In between her scores was O’Kennedy’s goal to settle Sligo nerves.
This result is one that will leave Paddy Henry and company satisfied going into the League break and will set them up nicely for the visit of Waterford in two weeks’ time to Cloonacool.
There has been a Sligo Ladies Divisional Forum set up to give a voice to people in a localised setting on all matters regarding development of ladies’ football in Sligo. The first one will take place on Monday, 20th February at 8 pm in Connolly Park, Collooney. The second one will be on Wednesday, 15th February in Beltra Hall at 8 pm.
Sligo Ladies are holding a Fundamentals Course in St. Pat’s Community Centre on 18th February. Text 086 2400844 or email kmkane@eircom.net to book your place. The County Board Meeting will take place on Monday 13th at 8pm in The Embassy.