February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Harps 3, Lansdowne 1
Harps won their first-ever winter league title, beating defending champions Lansdowne in a physical game.
After Lansdowne threatened with Stephanie Bliss’s shot saved nicely by keeper Chris Gallagher on 10 minutes, Harps opened their account a few minutes later when Lisa Burke rounded the keeper and scored after a nice through ball from Laura Anzai.
Lansdowne threatened again shortly after the kickoff, but Fiona Ward’s shot skittered over the bar. Bliss, Bernie Boyle and Christina Manning also kept the pressure on Harps.
The winners responded with pressure of their own, however, as Karen Shalvey worked well down the wing and found Sandra Swinburne, who tried to round the keeper and shot wide.
Harps continued to withstand Lansdowne pressure and increased their lead to 2-0 on 55 minutes when Alyson Kaye volleyed home Teresa Brink’s throw-in.
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Undeterred, Lansdowne kept pressing and were unlucky that Ellen McGrail and Bernie Boyle didn’t score. Then, on 60 minutes, Lansdowne keeper Nora McGrail made a nice save on a penalty shot by Lisa Burke, allowing her team to press forward for their first goal, scored by Bliss after a pass from Ellen McGrail.
Harps would not be denied, however, as Swinburne converted to make it 3-1.
Best for Harps: Anzai, Kaye, Hillary Potkewitz.
Lansdowne: Bliss, Ward, Nora McGrail.
Beal Bocht 2, Sean Ogs 0
Beal Bocht won the winter Shield Final.
Beal Bocht went on the attack straight away with Mary Touhy being narrowly denied. Sean Ogs settled down and nearly scored as Catherine Donohue played a ball through to Marlise Fath, who flicked it on to Elaine McMahon, who in turn shot, but keeper Pauline Boylan made a nice save.
Beal Bocht responded on 10 minutes with Touhy on hand to collect and chip in the rebound of teammate Jennie Byrne’s saved attempt.
Sean Ogs had chances from Debbie Kirke and Frances Brennan but failed to connect.
Sean Ogs threatened in the second half, with Dympne Sobia turned away and Debbie Kirke shooting wide.
Beal Bocht then put the game out of reach by scoring off a penalty from a hand ball on a corner kick.
Best for Beal Bocht: Touhy, Patricia Tedwell, Jennie Rynne.
Sean Ogs: Kirke, Brennan, Catherine Murphy.