February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Harps 3 Beal Bocht 1
Harps progressed to their third final this year with an impressive win over a very tough Beal Bocht side. Harps began the game with attacking intentions with winger Karen Shalvey, causing all sorts of problems for Beal Bocht.
After 15 minutes this proved effective, a high ball into the box was dropped by the Beal Bocht keeper and Sandra Swinbourne was there to give the Harps the lead. Beal Bocht, however, didn’t lie down, and with Mary McElvoy and Sophia Harvey creating chances, Beal Bocht started to prove a threat.
Eventually, Beal Bocht’s pressure paid off when they got a penalty after defender Teresa Brink handled the ball in the box. Mary McElvoy stepped up to knock the ball past the keeper to equalize the score.
The Harps’ defense was starting to look very shaky and could have gone behind but for two saving tackles from Martina Duffy. Just before halftime, Beal Bocht were unfortunate to lose their keeper, Paula Boylan, with a broken finger.
The second half was very tight both teams pressed for the winner Mary Touhy for Beal Bocht was causing Harps some concern. The game looked as if it was going to extra time when with eight minutes left Miriam Peters received the ball from Pauline Dillon in the box and hit a low shot into the corner of the net to give the Harps the lead.
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Beal Bocht tried to find another equalizer, but in the last minute, Catherine Donaghue scored a third to take Harps through to next week’s final.
Best for Harps were Maria Flood, Miriam Peters and Martina Duffy.
Southbend 0, Parlour 0
(Southbend wins 3-2 on penalties)
In the second semifinal, another hard fought contest was dominated by the goalkeepers. Parlour came into the game full of confidence after some impressive wins, but Southbend, the holders of the winter league, were not going to release their trophy easily.
The game was full of good play with Parlour creating many chances with Linda Rice and Sherry Lawson having shots saved by Southbend keeper Alison Lineen. Southbend came close to scoring when Katy McKenna shot just wide.
The second half proved the same, with the Parlour pressing and Southbend relying on the break. Goalkeeper Robin Mierza for Parlour was solid for her team, she was able to deal with all that Southbend could throw at her. The game not surprisingly went to extra time. The midfield battle between Myra Kaplan for Parlour and Helena Campion for Southbend was one of the highlights of the game With a minute left in extra time Parlour were awarded a penalty. Margaret Rozendal stepped up but her shot was brilliantly saved by Alison Lineen. That meant that the game would be decided by penalties. Southbend went on to win the penalty shoot-out 3-2. Scores for them came from Sharon Levin, Katy McKenna and Alison Lineen.
Gilligan’s 0, Lansdowne 1
In the Shield semifinal, Gilligan’s produced their best performance of the season but were unlucky to lose 1-0 to the Lansdowne. Therese Doyle was solid in defense for Gilligans with goalkeeper Kathleen Lynett playing her best game of the season. Gilligans almost took the lead with impressive Sheila Lynett and Mary Kelly controlling the midfield. Lansdowne got their winner when a mix-up in the Gilligans defense allowed Catherine Russell to score.
Next week’s finals
11:30 a.m., Shield final: Lansdowne vs. Fiona’s
1 p.m., League final: Southbend vs. Harps