February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’ Reilly
The New York Ladies GAA will be back at Gaelic Park for the final of the Peter Connaughton Cup on Sunday, when favorites Kerry take on new kids on the block Donegal.
Kerry will be backboned by a number of top-class players who have lined out for Leitrim in the past, and after tripping Sunday’s rivals twice already this season, will be confident of another victory.
Donegal are in their first final after forming last year and will enter the game with no fear. The Ulster women will also welcome back Caroline Kelly and Marie Cassells from injury, and with summer imports like Aoife Gibson, Mary Casey and Maria Anna Devlin, they may cause a major upset.
Joan Kiernan, president of the Donegal women’s association, said she was confident that the girls would give it their all.
"Kerry are a very formidable outfit and we’ll have to play out of our skins to beat them," she said.
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Kerry have improved and impressed in every game so far this year. Mags Dineen, Claire Tracy and Rosin Grogan have scored with ease in their previous encounters, while their defense, with Ann Holland, Amelda Tracey and Mairead Casey, are resolute.
Roundup
Kerry 4-16, Stamford 1-3
The Kingdom continued on their winning ways in the Peter Connaughton Cup, with summer import Roisin Grogan dominating around the middle. Claire Tracey, Grogan and Maureen O’Driscoll all hit the target for the Munster women.
Kerry: Rosin Grogan 2-11, Claire Tracy 2-1, Mags Dineen 0-2, Deride
Maher 0-1, Maureen O’Driscoll 0-1,
Stamford: Emir Curtis 1-1, Ada Kiernan and Trish O’Dwyer 0-1.
Donegal 3-11, Fermanagh 1-5
Donegal had too much power and panache at Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday. Fiona Devenney and Maria Anna Devlin were the top scorers, while Nora Dineen was also accurate in front of goal. Ger Lavery, Patricia McGurk, Brenda McElduff and Pauline Boylan tried hardest for the Erne girls.
Donegal: Fiona Devenney 1-2, Nora Dineen 0-2, Jenny Harvey 0-2, Marie Anna Devlin 0-3, Aisling Whelan 1-1, Mary Casey 0-1, Celine Dengler 1-0.
Fermanagh: Patricia McGurk 1-3, Ursula Mallon and Brenda McElduff 0-1.
Louis O’Hehir Cup
Cavan 3-11, Mayo 3-4
Mayo’s revenge mission will be put on ice for the championship final after failing to trip Cavan once again in this keenly contested Louis O’Hehir Cup tie at Rockland on Sunday. Paddy Ward and Co. won’t lose too much sleep over this one but he’ll still be disappointed that his troops failed to punish the Ulster women’s indecision at the back midway through the second half.
Mayo were on top at that sector and if it wasn’t for some wayward shooting and passing in front of the post, the Westerners could easily have stolen the lead.
Rosie O’Reilly, Nadine Doherty and Justine Clifford had outstanding games for the Breffini women. Caroline O’Sullivan, Olive Lynch and Mary Maguire are watertight at the back. Mayo’s best player and captain, Louis McMahon, must be wondering what it will take to beat the Blues.
Cavan: Rosie O’Reilly 2-5, Sue Bennett 1-3, Karen Shaley, Nadine Doherty, and Liza Moran 0-1.
Mayo: Cathy McKenna 2-0, Joanne McKenna 0-2, Denise Dunnion 1-2.
Rockland 7-8, Monaghan 1-4
Rockland registered won its first game. Jenny Kirby was outstanding for the home team and her overall work rate and commitment was unequalled. Cathy Dunleavy and Anne Marie Maye were also to the fore and their early goals from play pinned the Monaghan women in their own defense. Monaghan tried to the end, with Anita McKenna and their best player, Pamela Donoghue, keeping their hopes alive with some late scores.
Rockland: Cathy Dunleavy 3-1, Anne Marie Maye 3-2, Ann Marie Schaudel 1-3, Sharon Aielo and Jenny Kirby 0-1.
Monaghan: Kelly McAnnely 1-0. Anita McKenna 0-3, Siobhan Donavon 0-1.