February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Cavan 3-13, Na Fianna 0-3
Cavan were first off the scoreboard with a pointed free kick from Gillian Bennett Sunday at Paddy’s Field. Cavan’s passing was exceptional through out the game and a couple of great moves up the middle resulted in 2 points from Rosie O’Reilly.
Catherine McAteer was denied a goal by a good save from Na Fianna keeper Cathy Galvin. Na Fianna fought back, but their attempts were sent either side of the post. Cavan increased their lead with a further point from Bennett (free kick) and two great points from Catherine McAteer.
Na Fianna’s Mary Tuohy was unlucky when her shot came off the crossbar and their first and only point of the half came off the boot of Orla Doyle just before the halftime whistle from a free kick.
In the second half, Cavan dashed any hopes of Na Fianna coming back on the scoreline as they kept possession and took their scores well.
Catherine McAteer had a great second half on the score board with a personal tally of 2-2.
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Cavan’s forwards were in top form and managed three goals and several unanswered points. Na Fianna added just two points in the second half with a free kick from Orla Doyle and point from play by Marie Curran.
Best for the winners were Caroline O’Sullivan, Olive Lynch, Pauline Coleman, Mary Maguire, Catherine McAteer, Gillian Bennett and Clare Bennett. For Na Fianna, keeper Cathy Galvin had some great saves and Helena Campion, Alison Lineen, Maureen Touhy, Mags Ryan and Ann Ryan tried hardest.
Cavan scorers: Gillian Bennett 1-3, Rosie O’Reilly 0-2, Catherine McAteer 2-4, Claire Bennett 0-1, Karen Shalvey 0-2, Mary Maguire 0-1.
Na Fianna: Orla Doyle 0-2, Marie Curran 0-1.
Rockland 5-17, Stamford 1-3
Rockland notched up their second victory, but Stamford made them fight for every score. Stamford began the game well with a point from Emer O’Neill. But Rockland rallied behind the play of their front line. Stamford fought hard with great play from Catriona Brenna, Emer O’Neill, Jude Fitzgerald, and Catriona Lynch, but lacked the finishing touch when they pushed the ball through to their forwards, who struggled with a solid Rockland backline Cathy Dunleavy, Tara Loftus, Pauline O’Connor and Jonie Foley.
At halftime, it was Rockland ahead by 4-6 to 0-3.
A penalty awarded to Stamford in the middle of the second half was converted by Catriona Brenna, which gave them some reprieve, but at no stage was Rockland’s victory in any danger.
For Rockland, best were Jonie Foley, Colleen McElroy, Sharon Aiello, Kate McGrath, KerryAnn Galvin, Jen Ellis and Cathy Dunleavy. For Stamford, stars were Catriona Brennan, Emer O’Neill, Jude Fitzgerald, Catriona Lynch and Avril Duigan.
Rockland scorers: Jen Ellis 3-2, AnnMarie Maye 0-2, Colleen McElroy 1-1, AnnMarie Schandel 0-3, Kate McGrath 0-2 Kate Confrevy 0-1, Emily Lowing 0-1, Lorraine Kiernan 0-2, KerryAnn Galvin 1-1. Sharon Aiello 0-2.
Stamford: Catriona Brennan 1-2, Emer O’Neill 0-1
Players of the Game awarded to Cathy Dunleavy (Rockland), Catriona Brennan (Stamford)
Mayo 1-7, Leitrim 0-6
The Mayo vs. Leitrim proved to be the closest battle of the day. Both these two teams played some great football, but the girls in the red and green of Mayo show their true colors by domination of the game from the start. Leitrim were just not into their game at all.
For the winners, best were Louise McMahon, Audrey Hennessy, Joanne McKenna, Ellen McGrail and Sharon Gallagher. Best for Leitrim were Colette O’Sullivan, Connie Reddington, Mags Dineen, Debbie Murphy, Deidre Maher, Ann Holland.
Mayo scorers: Audrey Hennesy 1-1, Joanne McKenna 0-2, Camie O’Shea 0-1, Kathy McKenna 0-2, Ellen McGrail 0-1.
Leitrim: Claire Treacy 0-1, Mags Dineen 0-1, Julie Enright 0-1, Colette McElligot 0-2, Pat Meade 0-1.
Players of the Game: Ann Holland (Leitrim).
Monaghan 6-6, Fermanagh 0-3
While Fermanagh started their season with a two-point win over Donegal, they came up against a much different opponent in Monaghan and showed their lack of experience against a formidable side.
Picking up some new players in the offseason, Monaghan played some excellent football, finding their players in key positions, and showing that forwards Kelly McAnelly, Frances Brennan and Siobhan Donavan knew exactly where the goal posts were.
Monaghan meant business from the throw in with Brennan shooting the first point which was quickly followed by a Donavan goal that came as a result of the late evening sun tricking Fermanagh’s goalkeeper Nollaig Cleary to come off the line and the ball going over her head.
While Fermanagh’s Catherine Quinn and Annmarie Murray, who made a great block on another Monaghan goal attempt, tried their best, they were unable to stop Donovan.
Much of the first half saw a busy Cleary kicking out the ball to the waiting hands of Monaghan players, with Marie Flood making some great runs up the sideline and picking off her forwards, who had little to do but tap it over the bar. Fermanagh would only see their name on the score board in the 25th minute, coming from a free taken by Pauline Boylan.
The Monaghan scoring machine continued in the second half with Cleary again seeing much of the action and making some nice saves to keep the score line respectable.
While Fermanagh tried their best with midfielder Brenda Fields coming more into the game there was no stopping the two goals scored by Katie McEntee and Liz Collins.
Monaghan scorers: Frances Brennan 1-2, Siobhan Donovan 1-1, Kelly McEnelly 1-1, Varina Carey 0-1, Katie McEntee 1-0, Liz Collins 1-0, Marie Flood 1-1.
Fermanagh: Pauline Boylan 0-3
Players of the Game: Siobhan Donavan (Monaghan), Brenda Fields (Fermanagh).
Fermanagh 2-5, Donegal 2-2
Fermanagh had lots of possession first half but had trouble finding the goals. That was not the case in the second half. But the Donegal side for they opened the game with a great point from Catherine Henderson.
Notable for Fermanagh were Brenda Fields, Finoula McConnell, Brenda McElduff, Nollaig Cleary, Ann Marie McGirr. For Donegal Bobby Stacks, Gillian Murray, Nora Dinvien.
Players of the game: Nollaig Cleary (Fermanagh), Bobby Stacks (Donegal).
Upcoming games
Cavan vs. Mayo, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Van Cortland Park.
Sunday at Paddy’s Field: 1:30 p.m., Leitrim vs. Fermanagh; 2:45, Mayo vs. Donegal; 4, Na Fianna vs. Stamford; 5:15, Cavan vs. Monaghan