LGAA Roundup Cavan, Leitrim, Na Fianna win

Cavan 5-3, Mayo 0-3

Mayo started off quickly, with their first point coming from a free taken by Donna Mulligan. They continued to pour on the attack and followed with two nice points from Joanne McKenna and Una Kennedy.

Cavan can thank their back line that kept them in the game and denied Mayo any more scores. Geraldine Finn and Geraldine Flaherty were letting nothing go by them on the wings and Olive Wilson was steady in the middle. Catherine Russell was narrowly wide with some fine attempts at scores but it was the return of the injured Ger Mahon who made all the difference in the game. She would put Cavan on the scoreboard with a point in the first half after narrowly missing a goal and having a goal disallowed by the referee.

With the score Mayo (0-3) and Cavan (0-1), the ingredients were there for a nail-biting second half. Mayo were holding their own with lots of work from Fiona Ward, who was causing problems for Cavan in the center-half position, Katie McDermott was getting more and more into the game and Ellen McGrail picked up lots of balls in midfield. However, a goal by Ger Mahon gave Cavan the boost that they needed and when Mahon followed with another great backward goal into the net Mayo were in trouble. Caroline Sullivan and Maggie Kavanagh were turning up the heat and passing great balls in the forward line, one of which came to Rosie O’Reilly, who scored another goal for Cavan. With the continued use of the long ball, two more goals came from Ger Mahon and Louise McCambridge. The final point came from the injured Breda Carroll, who bravely played the entire game for Cavan as they lined out with the bare 15 players.

Mayo scorers: Donna Mulligan (0-1), Joanne McKenna (0-1), Una Kennedy (0-1). Mayo Player of the Game: Ellen McGrail.

Cavan scorers: Ger Mahon (3-2), Rosie O’Reilly (1-0), Louise McCambridge (1-0), Breda Carroll (0-1). Cavan Player of the Game: Ger Mahon.

Leitrim 1-5, Ciarrai 0-4

Leitrim had some early advantage and worked the ball well down to their forwards but were unable to capitalize with scores. The Ciarrai defense, in particular the full back line made up of Pauline O’Connor, Marlese Fath and Gemma Mullins were in top form and forced Leitrim into producing a series of harmless wides. Ciarrai stunned Leitrim’s defense with some quick moving of the ball up the field and produced some very accurate scoring from Orla Doyle and Janine Rynne. Ciarrai maintained their early lead with another point from Mary Kearney, Leitrim had many attempts at scores in the later stages of the first half but only produced two scores to make the halftime tally Ciarrai 0-3, Leitrim 0-2.

Both teams returned for the second half with increased hunger for the ball. Leitrim produced much better form in the second half compared with their first half lackluster performance. Eiblish Dineen was certainly in form on the day with a great point, which boosted their hopes. Also, with Sadie Bolger moved up to full forward, Leitrim took control with a blasting kick by Sadie which found the back of Ciarrai’s net.

Ciarrai showed some great performances from Orla Doyle, Brenda Walsh and Gemma Mullen and they rewarded Marlese Fath as their player of the game for her great efforts at full back. Colette O’Sullivan, Trish Gleeson and Eiblish Dineen were outstanding on the day for Leitrim and Connie Redington got player of the game for Leitrim for her exceptional defense of the left wing. This game on the whole was very exciting for both teams and spectators and showed good sporting football from both teams.

Leitrim scorers: Sadie Bolger 1-2, Eiblish Dineen 0-2 and Ann Maire McMunn 0-1.

Ciarrai: Orla Doyle 0-2, Mary Kearney 0-1 and Janine Rynne 0-1.

Cavan 2-10, Monaghan 1-2

While Monaghan would be the first to score, a goal from Roisin Rooney in the opening minutes, Cavan would prove to be the stronger team down the stretch. Cavan started off slow as a result of back-to-back games but got in stride once Ger Mahon opened with a goal. Norma McCarthy answered with a beautiful point coming full blast through the defense and sending the ball over the bar.

While that was Monaghan’s last score of the first half, Cavan would add scores from Ger Mahon (0-3) and Rosie O’Reilly (0-4), leaving the score at half-time Cavan 1-7, Monaghan 1-1.

The second half was all Cavan, with Ger Mahon adding 1-1 to her already impressive day and weekend. Maggie Burns and Catherine Russell got into the action and added 0-1 each. True to form, Norma McCarthy never gave up and again scored a beautiful point from play. Monaghan have had a tough season this year despite the efforts of Mary Nash, Marie Flood, Michelle Davis, Catherine Donoghue and Chris Gallagher in goals. Cavan look to be back on form so watch out for some exciting football down the stretch. It’s anyone’s final this year.

Cavan scorers: Ger Mahon 2-3, Rosie O’Reilly 0-4, Maggie Burns 0-1 and Catherine Russell 0-1. Cavan Player of the Game: Maggie Burns

Monaghan: Roisin Rooney 1-0, Norma McCarthy 0-2. Monaghan Player of the Game: Kate McEntee.

Na Fianna 4-11, Rockland 1-5

The last game of the day between Na Fianna and Rockland was played at a very quick pace, even with the very hot weather conditions. Both teams rose well to the challenge but Na Fianna opened the scoring early with some great points from Edel Martin and Marie Curran. Na Fianna forwards enjoyed a large amount of the possession, with the returned Alison Lineen fielding some great balls up and down the pitch. Na Fianna kept on piling on the pressure on the Rockland defense and were able to run through at will. As Na Fianna’s tally of scores mounted, Rockland were unable to answer, with Na Fianna defense not wanting to concede a point. Rockland made some valiant efforts in the last minutes of the first half but all to no avail. The first half which was completely dominated by Na Fianna produced a score of 2-6 Na Fianna to 0-0 for Rockland.

With the second half, Na Fianna looked slightly sluggish, allowing Rockland to have possession and take scoring chances. Rockland began making swift hand passing moves down the pitch that allowed Claire Charlton and Kerry Ann Galvin to take some accurate scores. Na Fianna came back into the fight and tightened their defense guided by Mags Ryan and Caroline Conway. They kept the ball in the Rockland half back line and produced some great points from Rose Dunican. Rockland kept on producing some great moves, but they were only able to capitalize with two more points.

Best performances on the day for Rockland came from Claire Charlton, Cathy Dunleavy, May Dineen and Ann Marie Maye. Playing well for Na Fianna were Alison Lineen, Marie Curran, Ann Ryan and Mary McEvoy.

Rockland scorers: KerryAnn Galvin 0-1, Colleen McElroy 0-1, Claire Charlton 0-2, Joanna Hoenninger 0-1 and Cathy Quinn 1-0. Player of the Game: Alice Kevlihan.

Na Fianna: Ann Ryan 1-1, Alison Lineen 1-0, Marie Curran 0-3, Edel Martin 1-4, Mary McEvoy 1-0 and Rose Dunican 0-3. Player ofd the Game: Edel Martin. Playing well for Na Fianna were Alison Lineen, Marie Curran, Ann Ryan and Mary McEvoy.