LGAA Roundup Cavan, Leitrim to meet in Kearney Cup final

Leitrim 1-12, Na Fianna 0-4

Leitrim continues their run to the Annie Kearney Cup final and now is just one step away from putting their name on the cup for the second year in a row. A wasteful Na Fianna outfit will be disappointed with their showing after having so much possession in the first half but were unable to put the necessary scores on the board.

The opening minutes were all Na Fianna with a pass from Grace Kelly finding the ever-running Helena Campion who shot home the first point of the game. One could see it was only a matter of time before Leitrim would come roaring back with Mags Dineen finally getting their first point with 15 minutes already gone in the half. This score would prove to be the ignition that Leitrim needed.

A superb Mairéad Casey goal quickly followed points from Colette McElligott and AnnMarie McMunn and this was all Leitrim needed to turn the tide in their favor.

Although all was going well for Leitrim at this point, Na Fianna continued to dig deep and through some good effort by Campion, Orla Doyle converted a much needed free and finally Mags Ryan was rewarded for her efforts to leave three between the teams.

However, Leitrim replied by knocking over three points in succession to end the half.

Beginning the second half, it was again Na Fianna which took the upper hand but once again their shooting failed them when Mags Ryan missing a great opportunity at goal.

The change of McElligott to center halfback just before the half and the introduction of Maureen O’Driscoll and Julie Enright proved to be a prudent move by the Leitrim sideline.

Enright scored a difficult point from a side angle and O’Driscoll caused all sorts of problems for the Na Fianna defense.

From midway in the second half, Leitrim were in the driver’s seat with Na Fianna only able to notch up a Mary Touhey point.

All Leitrim had to do was defend their lead with Pat Meade and Eibhlish Dineen tacking on the scores to seal the game.

Leitrim scores: Mags Dineen 0-1, Mairéad Casey 1-0, Colette McElligott 0-2, Annmarie McMunn 0-1, Eibhlish Dineen 0-4, Pat Meade 0-3, Julie Enright 0-1.

Na Fianna scores: Helena Campion 0-1, Orla Doyle 0-1, Mags Ryan 0-1, Mary Touhey 0-1.

Players of the game: Colette McElligott ( Leitrim), Caroline Conway (Na Fianna)

Cavan 3-12, Mayo 1-6

The ladies from Breffní took the second semi final in their stride as they overcame a determined Mayo side and will go on to meet Leitrim in the Annie Kearney Cup final in Gaelic Park on June 11.

Cavan were first on the scoreboard with a fine point from full forward Catherine McAteer.

With some great passing around the forward line, Gillian Bennett added two more.

Mayo replied with a point from a free kick by Joanne McKenna. Cavan continued to put pressure on Mayo’s backline, working the ball to Catherine McAteer who made no mistake in taking another point.

Sharpshooter Gillian Bennett took a powerful 50-yard free which she sent just under the crossbar, out of the reach of Mayo’s keeper Christine Hurley for Cavan’s first goal.

Mayo settled into their game with great play from Louise McMahon, Stephanie McGrail, Ailish Doherty, Fiona Ward and Elaine Donovan. Joanne McKenna added another point which was followed shortly afterward by a great goal from Colette McGoldrick who took a solo run from the half way line before taking her shot on goal. This lifted Mayo’s game as they added another point from a free kick taken by Joanne McKenna. Cavan went on the attack again and forced Mayo’s keeper to block a goal-bound ball which rebound back into play with another shot send across the goalmouth and wide, much to Mayo’s relief.

Cavan added another point from Gillian Bennett who took a fine point under pressure to leave the half time score Cavan 1-5 to Mayo’s 1-3.

With only two points separating the sides and a place in the Anne Kearney Cup final just 30 mins away, both sides came out with victory on their minds.

Cavan dominated the first 10 minutes of the half with Rosie O’Reilly taking her first point of the hour. Cavan were awarded a penalty soon afterwards which Gillian Bennett stepped up and made no mistake in finding the back of the net. A point from Catherine McAteer and a goal from Mary Maguire extended their lead.

Mayo tried their best to penetrate the solid Cavan defense with great play from Colette McGoldrick, Audrey Hennessy and Joanne McKenna but it was no easy task as the ladies in blue were giving nothing away. Points from Camie O’Shea, Collette McGoldrick and Joanne McKenna gave Mayo a much needed lift. However, a chance of another goal came their way when they were awarded a penalty but Joanne McKenna’s shot went just right of the post.

Cavan’s lead was extended further with points from O’Reilly, Bennett and McAteer.

While Mayo gave it their best shot, they couldn’t topple Cavan’s unbeaten record this year and will have to hope for better things in the Sean Faherty Championship.

Scores for Cavan by: Catherine McAteer 0-5, Gillian Bennett 2-5, Rosie O’Reilly 0-2, Mary Maguire 1-0.

Scores for Mayo by: Joanne McKenna 0-4, Colette McGoldrick 1-1, Camie O’Shea 0-1.

Players of the game: Rosie O’Reilly (Cavan), Christine Hurley (Mayo)

Rockland 2-10, Fermanagh 2-4

Rockland got their second win of the weekend in the last match of the day when they defeated a gallant Fermanagh side which fought hard to the final whistle in a make up game of the Peter Connaughton Cup.

While there are a few games left in the Peter Connaughton Championship, it looks like Rockland will have their name on the cup after winning all their games in their division.

Scores for Rockland by: Colleen McElroy 0-7, Jen Rossi 1-0, Jen Millar 1-2, Kerry Ann Galvin 0-1

Scores for Fermanagh by: Brenda McElduff 2-4.

Players of the game: Cathy Dunleavy (Rockland), Nollaig Cleary (Fermanagh)

Na Fianna 5-13, Donegal 0-1

This was a one-sided affair on the score board but not by play. Donegal fought to the end with some great play especially from their keeper Kim Bronsan.

Na Fianna scorers: Ann Ryan 1-3, Jeanie Rynne 2-1, Orla Doyle 1-2, Helena Campion 1-0, Marie Curran 0-3 Mary Touhy, Ann Murray, Mary McEvoy and Maree Maloney 0-1

Players of the game: Ann Ryan (Na Fianna), Kim Brosnan (Donegal)

Rockland 3-5, Monaghan 2-6

This had to be one of the best games that we have seen all season. Rockland opened with a fine point passed from their midfielder Sharon Aiello into the hands of Jen Millar and over the bar it went to make this the first point of the game.

Monaghan soon after got themselves on the scoreboard. The Carey sisters, Dervil and Varina, had a great passing move thru the middle, sending the ball into Sheila Frayne who finished it off with a beautiful point.

Rockland scorers: Jen Millar 2-2 Jonnie Foley 1-0 and Kate McGrath, Lorraine McKiernan, Colleen McEroy and Sharon Aiello, 0-1 each.

Monaghan: Sheila Frayne 2-2, Catherine Donohoe 1-1, Norma McCarthy 1-0, Varina Carey, Ann Dowling and Sandra Swinburne 0-1 each.

Players of the game: for Rockland was Jen Millar (Rockland), Catherine Flood (Monaghan).