February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Mayo opened the scoring from the boot of their summer sanction Emma Kilduff, who is proving to be a real find and as she settles in with her new team she will be a player to watch.
For Na Fianna, there was too much reliance on Waterford player Mary O’Rourke, who was their only scorer in the first half, though she was guilty of several misses from scoreable positions. She scored four points in the first half, two from frees and two from play.
Lynda Donnelly scored Mayo’s first goal, leaving Rose Dunican no chance, with Emma Kilduff adding on another 1-1. Dunnion tagged on a further two points, with Lynda Donnelly adding another point before halftime, leaving Mayo ahead by 2-5 to 0-4.
Na Fianna’s backs worked hard, but their final clearance was letting them down, with Mayo attacking constantly. Mayo’s backline were made work hard, with Mary O’Rourke constantly showing for the ball and looked dangerous on the ball.
In the second half, Na Fianna opened the scoring with another point from Mary O’Rourke, but Mayo quickly replied with a rasper of a shot from Lynda Donnelly which Dunnion deflected into the goal. Dunnion was a constant problem for Mags Ryan. She was the only Mayo forward to register a score in the second half, with a tally of 3-4. Na Fianna had plenty of opportunities and squandered a penalty shot, which Patti McGrail saved well.
However, the two Waterford players began to gel together with Cliona O’Keefe scoring an excellent goal after carrying the ball from Midfield passing it off to Furlong and taking the ball back leaving the keeper no chance. Na Fianna midfielder Michelle Fahy got her name on the scoresheet with a well-taken point. The final score of the game was a goal by O’Rourke, who made no mistake with a low shot into the corner.
Players of the Game: Na Fianna, Michelle Fahy; Mayo, Emma Kilduff.
Mayo: Patti McGrail, Elaine O’Donovan, Eleanor Fox, Louise Fox, Imelda Mullarkey, Niamh Keane, Joanne Monaghan, Ellen McGrail, Louise McMahon, Emma Kilduff (1-2), Fiona Ward, Karen Henry, Denise Dunnion(3-6), Joanne McKenna, Lynda Donnelly(1-1). Subs Tina Foy, Nora McGrail, Colette McGoldrick, Una Kennedy.
Na Fianna: Rose Dunican, Monica Slevin, Katrina Lynch, Mags Ryan, Finola McConnell, Grace Kelly, Sue Hannon, Lorraine Leacy, Michelle Fahy(0-1), Mary Melly, Cliona O’Keefe(1-1), Marie Melly, Paula Barrett, Mary O’Rourke(1-8), Brenda Furlong. Subs Patricia Reddington.
FIXTURE
Sunday, Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m., Gaelic Park: Peter Connaughton Cup Final, Monaghan vs. Rockland.