News & Events Mar 5th (Match reports)

Tuesday, 06 March 2012 21:16

Galway v Kerry match report, Southern Gaels v Laune Rangers & the Spa Legion AXA Insurance Senior league reports, plus a full update on all other league action, Post Primary News and all Fixtures and Results

GALWAY 1-11 KERRY 2-06

By JASON BYRNE (Galway Ladies PRO)

Galway ladies pulled off a shock home win in Duggan Park in Ballinasloe on Sunday as they condemned a much-fancied Kerry to their first defeat of the season in Division 2 of the National Football League as a first half blitz in which Galway took full advantage of a strong wind advantage, that gave them the edge over the Kingdom as both seek promotion to the top tier.

Deirdre Corridan got Kerry underway with the first score of the game after thirty seconds – but the visitors would go a whopping twenty-seven minutes before their next score as Galway ran riot to go eleven ahead. Galway's Tracey Leonard dispatched from a free and newly-formed midfielder Aoibheann Daly quickly followed suit. Another Galway stalwart in the form of Edel Concannon then found the back of the net from around thirty metres – as her point attempt suddenly dropped short landing in the net behind the stunned Kerry keeper Edel Murphy.

Seven more Galway scores without reply followed as Kerry struggled to obtain possession to muster any form of attack. Two from Lisa and Tracy Leonard, and well-taken points from Ger Conneally, Claire Hehir and Deirdre Brennan flung Galway 1-9 to 0-1 in front. With ten minutes remaining until the interval, Kerry needed a lifeline and it was produced by impressive corner forward Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh in the form of two goals. Bernie Breen ended the Kingdom’s barren spell before Sarah Houlihan fed Ni Mhuircheartaigh who slotted home the first goal in slick fashion. Sixty seconds later, a stunned Galway were caught again as a high ball eluded the full-backs and Ni Mhuircheartaigh found herself free again to fist home first-time and suddenly the gap was reduced to four at half time with Galway leading 1-9 to 2-2.

Galway came out with a much more edged approach after the restart as a result of Ni Mhuircheartaigh’s double and in the opening ten minutes two Tracy Leonard frees widened their advantage once more. As the game went stale for a period, Ni Mhuircheartaigh pointed again, just before Kerry were handed a glorious chance to get right back in the contest. As Corridan advanced on goal, she was hauled down by a myriad of Galway defenders and referee Mel Kenny immediately awarded a penalty.
Up stepped Patrice Dennehy, but her kick flashed horribly wide of the target and two more Ni Mhuircheartaigh points and one from Mary O’Keefe late on meant Galway had done enough to make it three wins in a row for Con Moynihan’s charges.
Aoibheann Daly and Claire Hehir looked comfortable in their new midfield roles as did Sinead Burke at wing back. A win against Cavan in Milltown on Sunday would almost certainly give Galway a semi-final berth and like wise with Kerry's next home game on Sunday next against Waterford, should cement as both counties bid for an immediate return to Division 1.

Galway: Lisa Murphy; Amy Rohan, Marie Brennan (Siobhan Divilly 50mins), Sarah Conneally; Barbara Hannon (Sarah Lynch 56mins), Fabienne Cooney, Sinead Burke; Aoibheann Daly (0-1), Claire Hehir (0-1) (G Joyce 46mins); Edel Concannon (1-0) (Charlotte Cooney 51mins), Lisa Leonard (0-2) (Eilis Gannon 58mins), Mairead Coyne (Michelle Burke 31mins); Tracy Leonard (0-5), Deirdre Brennan (0-1), Geraldine Conneally (0-1).

Kerry: Edel Murphy; Aoife Lyons, Aisling Leonard, Aislinn Desmond; Julie Brosnan, Louise Galvin, Patrice Dennehy (Maria Quirke 50mins); Lorraine Scanlon, Bernie Breen (0-1); Megan O’Connell, Sarah Houlihan (Emma Sherwood 50mins), Elaine O’Connor; Mary O’Keefe (0-1), Deirdre Corridan (0-1), Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh (2-3).

Referee: Mel Kenny.

AXA Insurance Senior League Div 1
Southern Gaels 3-13 Laune Rangers 1-02
Southern Gaels league form continued as they recorded their second win in a row at O' Connor Park Valentia against visitors Laune Rangers in Division 1 of the AXA Insurance Senior County league. The games first effort went to Southern Gaels Lorraine Casey which saw the Rangers goalie Susan Joy bring off a point blank save from a great shot. Minutes later Mary Cronin then opened the scoring for Southern Gaels, who were playing with a strong wind, following a fine pass from Bernie Cronin. Unfortunately for the Laune Rangers goalie the next score came from a high dropping ball from Leanne Curran that dipped in the top corner. Southern Gaels were on top at mid field with great performances by Linda Cronin and Anna Galvin. Laune Rangers took a while to settle as Sabrina Sheehan and Anna Marie O’Donoghue helped them go forward and tried to break the Gaels solid defence, but scores were at a premium as the Gaels defence worked every ball out of danger. Rangers Muireann O’Shea was unlucky not to convert a few frees early on, but they were playing against a very stiff wind. Further scores from Leanne Curran, Sarah O Connor, Bernie Cronin and Lorraine Casey saw Southern Gaels go in at half time with a lead of 2-06 to 0-01.
The restart saw Laune Rangers fight back with a great goal by Meadbh Johnston but having to play without their five Kerry players and two of their regular starting fifteen made it too much of an uphill struggle. A further point by Anna Maria O’Donoghue finished Laune Rangers scoring. Southern Gaels with fine performances from the Cronin sisters, Leanne Curran, Cecilia O’Sullivan and Lorraine Casey as well as Amy Fitzgerald put the game beyond the reach of Rangers. With the Southerners finished the stronger and winning on a scoreline of 3 13 to 1 02.

Southern Gaels: Catriona Morris (0.1), Sarah Kelly, Cecilia O Sullivan, Deirdre Fenton, Amy Fitzgerald (0.1), Paula O Sullivan, Linda Cronin (0.1) Anna Galvin, Lorraine Casey(1.1), Bernie Cronin (0.2), Leanne Curran(1.1), Mary Cronin (0.3), Sarah O Connor (1.1)
Subs: Roisin Kissane, Michelle Clifford, Jenny Mahony, Sinead Curran, Meabh Daly, Lisa O' Sullivan (0.1), Jennifer Murphy.
Laune Rangers: Susan Joy, Hazel Poff, Lisa Dennehy, Grainne Sears, Rachel Coleman Horgan, Maura O’Sullivan, Johanna O’Callaghan, Sabrina Sheehan, Norina O’Callaghan, Anna Maria O’Donoghue, Mary Ann Doherty, Muireann O’Shea, Meabh Johnston,
Subs: Emma Cronin, Aoife Johnston, Klara O’Sullivan.
Ref: Paul O’Sullivan (Sneem)

AXA Insurance Senior League Div 4A
Spa 6-14 Legion 1-1
Spa had an impressive victory over their neighbours in a game that the end score didn’t reflect. Legion was unlucky with scores and the fortune of Sarah Courtney having a great game between the posts for Spa told a different story. Rachel O Sullivan and Ashling Coffey were in excellent form at midfield and all Spa forwards scoring in the first half found the home team with the upper hand at half time. Paula Breen, Legion tried very hard all over the field and set up loads of chances for Julie Kelly and Mairead O’Donoghue. The addition of new player Denise Gleeson at corner back kept the defence in solid form throughout the game, along with veteran Katie O Brien and Aoife Hickey held the full back line with very little chances for Legion to break through. From the centre back position Spa's Laura Herlihy acted like a third midfielder and picked up the loose ball on the 40. The day belonged to the forwards with Niamh Cahill player of the game scoring 2-1 and was ably assisted by young Niamh Kearney (1-2) who made her debut with the senior team. No stranger to finding the net Mags Cronin (1-1), worked tirelessly with her team mates Laura McLarnon (1-4), Laura Spillane 1pt, Michaela O Connor (1-3), Anne Marie Healy 1pt. Spa will find this refreshing after their outing last week against Corca Dhuibhne when the roles were reversed. Manager Denis O Connor and team selector Frank Hickey, no doubt will learn from today and look to improve with every game.

Spa: Sarah Courtney, Denise Gleeson, Katie O Brien, Aoife Hickey, Sinead Cronin, Laura Herlihy, karol Fleming, Rachel O Sullivan, Aisling Coffey, Niamh Cahill, Anne Marie Healy, Mags Cronin, Laura McLarnon, Niamh Kearney, Michaela O Connor.

AXA Insurance Senior Leagues.
Div 1, Southern Gaels 3-13 Laune Rangers 1-2 and Listowel Emmetts 2-13 Sneem Kenmare 3-2.
Both Southern Gaels and Listowel share the top spot with Laune Rangers, Sneem Kenmare and Castleisland yet to record points in the league after 2 rounds.
Div 2a, where Austin Stacks and Kerins O'Rahillys drew their game 2-8 to 1-11, Finuge St Senans has 2 to spare over Castlegregory 3-11 to 5-3 and Na Gaeil suffered a heavy defeat at home to Abbeydorney 4-10 to 1-4. Abbeydorney top the table on 4, next in 2nd Kerins O’Rahillys on 2 followed in joint 3rd by Finuge St Senans and Na Gaeil. Austin Stacks in 5th with 1 point leaving Castlegregory and Duagh at the foot of the table.
In Div 4A, Spa responded to last week’s defeat with a 6-14 to 1-1 win over neighbours Legion, Corca has a win against Cromane and the Firies B Dromid game was postponed due to a bereavement. This leaves Corca Duibhne at the top of the table and 3 teams are tied in second place Dromid, Spa and Legion with Firies B, Currow and Cromane yet to put points on the board
Div 4B, John Mitchels 2-7 Clounmacon 5-2, with Ballyduff overcoming Beale 4-7 to 2 points. Daingean Ui Chuis defeated Listowel on Saturday 4-10 to 3-3 Now 4 teams are tied for first place, Daingean Ui Chuis, Clounmacon, Listowel B and Ballyduff leaving Beale, John Mitchels and Causeway at the bottom of div 4a.

Post Primary Schools.
In the Junior B Cup the replay between Rathmore and Pobail Scoil Kenmare Rathmore had just 3 to spare and now face Mercy Mounthawk in final next week.
In the Junior Plate Final with an all West Kerry local derby as Mean Scoil Nua Castlegregory went head to head with Colaiste Ide of Dingle on Wednesday last and after 2 periods of extra time, Colaiste Ide took the Plate honours having come from behind with an unanswered goal and a point in the closing minutes to claim the title by 3 to spare.

RESULTS
Junior B Cup S/f (Replay)
Rathmore 4-10 Pobail Scoil Kenmare 1-16
Post Primary Junior Plate Final
Mean Scoil Nua Castlegregory 5-4 Colaiste Ide 4-10

AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 1.
Southern Gaels 3-13 Laune Rangers 1-2
Listowel Emmetts 2-13 Sneem Kenmare 2-2
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 2a
Austin Stacks 2-8 Kerins O'Rahillys 1-11
Finuge St Senans 3-11 Castlegregory 5-3
Na Gaeil 1-4 Abbeydorney 4-10
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 4A
Firies B v Dromid OFF (Re fixed for Good Friday Apr 6 @ 4pm)
Cromane 2-3 Corca Duibhne 3-13
Spa 6-14 Legion 1-1
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 4B
John Mitchels 2-7 Clounmacon 5-2
Beale 0-2 Ballyduff 4-7
Daingean Ui Chuis 4-10 Listowel Emmets B 3-3

FIXTURES
Sunday March 11th ( ALL GAMES 12 Noon)
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 1.
Southern Gaels v Listowel Emmets
Laune Rangers a bye
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 2a
Duagh v Austin Stacks
Kerins O'Rahillys v Finuge St Senans
Castlegregory v Abbeydorney
Na Gaeil a bye
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 2b
Scartaglin Rathmore
Milltown Listry Firies
Kilcummin v Dr Crokes
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 4A
Currow v Firies B
Corca Duibhne v Legion
Dromid v Cromane
Spa a bye
AXA Insurance Senior Football League Div 4B
Causeway v John Mitchels
Clounmacon v Beale
Ballyduff v Listowel Emmets B
Daingean Ui Chuis a bye

Monday Mar 12th
Post Primary Junior B Cup FINAL (12.30)
Rathmore v Mercy Mounthawk (Killarney venue TBC)
Junior Shield Final (12.30)
Causeway Comp School v Killarney Community College (Tralee venue TBC)

Wednesday Mar 14th
Post Primary Senior B Cup FINAL (12.30)
ISK Killorglin v Pobail Scoil Kenmare (Killarney venue TBC)