February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Paddy’s Field saw the return of New York women’s Gaelic football for a new season of thrills. The large crowd that gathered to see the first games of the season were treated to two exciting matches, with Cavan beating Rockland, 5-4 to 0-2, and Na Fianna toppling Ciarrai, 4-6 to 2-2.
Cavan quickly took command, working the ball up the field with skillful passing from Jillian Bennett to her forwards.
The Rockland defense of Tara Loftus and Joanne Hoenninger could not stop the deadly accurate shots from Cavan’s Rosie O’ Reilly, Ger Mahon and Deirdre Fenney.
Center forward Jen Ellis finally got Rockland on the scoreboard with a point, followed by another from Lorraine Kiernan, but at halftime, Cavan were comfortably in control, 3-4 to 0-2.
The second half produced a more even flow of the ball. Rockland got more possession but they were not able to capitalize. Colleen Sorlus and Jen Miani made some strong attempts, but Lorraine Kiernan was only able to take one more point from the Cavan defense.
Joanne Hoenninger, Jen Ellis, Lorraine Kiernan and Kerry Anne Galvin played well for Rockland.
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Best for Cavan were Jillian Bennett, Ger Mahon, Deirdre Fenney and Catherine Russell.
Na Fianna 4-6, Ciarrai 2-2
Na Fianna were the first to put successful passing movement into to play and opened up the scoring with a point from Marie Curran.
In the early part of the half, much of the play took place the in the midfield and the Na Fianna forward line. At first, Ciarrai, unable to get pass the defense posed by Na Fianna’s Helena Campion and Alison Lineen. But then Mary Touhey scored for Ciarrai.
Na Fianna held possession of the ball better in the forward lines and this constant pressure produce a lovely goal from play by Alison Lineen.
Ciarrai’s defense, led by Orla Doyle, made some great tackles. Unfortunately for Ciarrai, Paddy O’ Sullivan had to award a penalty to Na Fianna for heavy tackling in front of the Ciarrai goalmouth. Alison Lineen stepped up and put a beautifully executed penalty into the back of the net, making it 2-2 to 0-1 at the break.
Mary McEvoy played a solid game for Na Fianna as full back, but in the second half Julia Enright was able to get past her to score a great goal from play.
Ciarrai had some great movement involving one-two plays with Anne Hanrahan and Mary Touhey, which allowed Touhey to score for another well-taken point.
Orla Doyle also created some good passes when she moved up to half forward. However, Na Fianna were becoming more accurate with their shots and Maree Moloney increased their lead with a goal and a point.
Anne Hanrahan, Julia Enright (1-0), B O’ Neill (1-0), Orla Doyle and Jeanine Rynne played well for Ciarrai.
Best for Na Fianna were Mags Ryan Maree Moloney (2-1), Alison Lineen (2-0), Helena Campion and Eimer Curran (0-1).
Na Fianna Player of the Game: Marie Curran (0-4).
Ciarrai Player of the Game: Mary Touhey (0-2).