Connacht LGFA Intermidiate QF(CT)

Connacht  Ladies Intermediate Quarter Final

 

Claremorris 3-18

Drumkeerin 1-3

Eoin Horkan 

St Brigids Park Drumkeerin

A dominant all-round performance from Claremorris paved the way for an emphatic victory in their Connacht quarter-final clash against Leitrim on Sunday afternoon.

The home side made the brighter start, winning the throw-in and moving swiftly into attack. Before a Claremorris player had even touched the ball, Ann Marie Gallagher had found the target to edge Leitrim in front. That lead, however, was short-lived. Laura Kelly responded immediately for Claremorris, and from that point on, the visitors seized complete control.

Claremorris began to settle into their rhythm, with Isobel Phillips, Bree Hession, and Rebecca Kean all adding fine points from play. As the ten-minute mark approached, Nina Wallace found herself in acres of space and made no mistake, rifling the ball into the net to give her side a firm grip on proceedings.

The Mayo side continued to dictate the tempo, with Kelly adding her second score of the day before Ashleagh Salmon opened her own account. Another Hession free stretched their advantage further as Claremorris’ forwards continued to torment the Leitrim defence.

As the half entered its closing stages, the visitors piled on the pressure. Kelly, proving a constant threat up front, raised a second green flag to cap a superb opening period for Claremorris. Another Hession free extended the gap to double figures. Leitrim briefly lifted their spirits when a Gallagher free dropped into the net from long range, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly dampened as Wallace and Phillips both pointed again before the break. The whistle sounded with Claremorris firmly in command, leading by twelve.

Claremorris nearly had a third goal within moments of the restart when Wallace was hauled down in front of goal, resulting in a yellow card for the hosts. Hession made no mistake with the resulting free to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Gallagher, who was Leitrim’s main scoring outlet throughout, responded with a well-taken point, but it was proving to be a rare attack for the home side.

With the breeze now at their backs, Claremorris began to use long deliveries to devastating effect, particularly towards Kelly, who was winning every ball that came her way. Another Hession free, followed by a tidy effort from Siomha McNulty, kept the South Mayo side well in control.

Managerial changes added fresh energy for Claremorris as substitutes made an immediate impact. One of those, Áine Lynn, finished off a flowing team move with a brilliantly worked third goal, leaving no doubt about the outcome. With the tie beyond reach, Hession slotted over yet another placed ball before late points from substitutes Emma Fallon and Alana Kelly — the latter scoring with her very first touch — put the finishing touches on an excellent team display.

In the final minutes, Laura Kelly added her third of the afternoon before Alana Kelly chipped in again, sandwiching a consolation score from Gallagher, who battled gamely for Leitrim throughout.

When the final whistle sounded, Claremorris could reflect on a commanding performance built on teamwork, sharp finishing, and relentless intensity from start to finish. The victory sees them progress confidently to the semi-finals, where on current form, they will take some stopping.

Claremorris;Claire Kean;Marina Cawley,Emma Higgins,Eilis Higgins;Aishling Cummins,Amy Cummins,Alana Fitzpatrick,Isobel Phillips(0-2),Siomha Mcnulty(0-1);Ashleagh Salmon(0-1),Bree Hession(0-6 4fs),Sienna Kelly;Nina Wallace(1-1),Laura Kelly(1-3),Rebecca Kean(0-1).

Subs Used:Aine Lynn(1-0) for Sienna Kelly,Emma Fallon(0-1) for Ashleagh Salmon,Alana Kelly(0-2 1f) for Rebecca Kean,Roisin Horkan for Bree Hession,Sile Streciwilk for Aishling Cummins

Drumkeerin:Martina Gallagher;Ellen Gallagher,Anna Hazlett,Natasha McTiernan;Lauren Wynne,Shannon O’Grady,Shyneece Gallagher;Sarah Feeney,Shona Wynne;Kayla Maguire,Ann Marie Gallagher (1-3 3fs),Ella McNamara;Rachel McPartlan,Natasha Kelly,Saoirse Wynne.

Subs Used;Sophie O’Grady for Ella McNamara,Riona Redican for Kayla Maguire,Lauraine Clark for Rachel McPartlan,Aoife McCauley for Saoirse Wynne,Keeley Harrison for Shannon O’Grady.

Referee Gus Chapman