Clonee end the reign of Anne’s
Second-half goals crucial
CLONEE 2-12 ST. ANNE’S 1-9
SECOND-HALF goals from Claire O’Rourke and Áine Cosgrave propelled Clonee back into the ladies’ football Senior championship final at the expense of defending champions St. Anne’s in St. Patrick’s Park on Tuesday.
It was very much a game of two halves for the victors, with their experienced full-forward line doing all the damage in the first period before the two critical goals came from a pair of honest, hard workers after the break.
In truth, this was a deserved win for a far better-balanced Clonee side. Shelmalier usually go into a county decider as favourites but if they came in early to catch a bit of the other semi-final, the Gorey District club will know they have nothing to fear in the decider.
St. Anne’s worked hard - the tempo of this game was up considerably on the other semi-final - but they were hugely reliant on Fiona Rochford and Rachel Bennett.
Both county players were excellent but it was just too much for ask for them to carry their side past a strong unit like Clonee.
Bennett and Rochford were both on the board to put St. Anne’s ahead but six points in a row, with Liz Evered (three), Caroline Murphy (two) and O’Rourke all on target, saw Clonee burst into a 13th-minute 0-6 to 0-2 advantage.
After Ann Marie Bennett popped over a nice point, her twin Rachel and Fiona Rochford inter-changed through the heart of the Clonee defence and netted when the latter dispatched low across Anna Doyle to the net.
That tied the game (1-3 to 0-6) after 15 minutes, and St. Anne’s didn’t score again from play. Three Rochford frees did better points from Murphy and Anne Byrne before the interval to leave the Rathangan side one ahead at the break.
Within 90 seconds of the re-start O’Rourke collected the ball close to goal and fired high to Leanne Moore’s net.
After Ali Evered pointed, she sent a high ball in that fell to Áine Cosgrave and the wing-forward was composed enough to work an angle and find the net.
A couple of Rochford frees (as always, after Bennett was fouled) put four between the sides (2-9 to 1-8) heading into the last quarter. However, three Liz Evered deadballs at the other end ensured there would be no comeback.
There was one disappointing moment for Clonee, when Elaine McCabe was given a straight red card for a high tackle in the final minute. Without a successful appeal she will miss the final against Shelmalier on September 1.
Clonee: Anna Doyle; Danielle Hayden, Mairéad Lancaster, Elaine McCabe; Róisín Fitzgerald, Mary O’Neill (capt.), Marguerite Doyle; Cathy Kavanagh, Claire O’Rourke (1-1); Anne Byrne (0-1), Brídín Doyle, Áine Cosgrave (1-0); Liz Evered (0-6, 5 frees), Caroline Murphy (0-3), Ali Evered (0-1). Subs. - Teghan Furlong for A. Evered (60+3), Niamh O’Leary for L. Evered (60+3).
St. Anne’s: Leanne Moore; Aisling Kavanagh, Marica Cullen, Annie Breen; Juliette Rochford, Clara Rochford, Modge White (capt.); Martha Rochford, Fiona Rochford (1-7, 0-6 frees); Dee Sheil, Rachel Bennett (01), Katie Hannigan; Ann Marie Bennett (0-1), Eadaoin Miskella, Trina Gaul. Subs. - Niamh Crosbie for White (34), Niamh Bennett for Gaul (42), Joanne Jordan for Miskella (42).
Referee: Gearóid McGrath (St. James’).