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LGAA Roundup Leitrim and Boston draw

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Leitrim 2-12, Boston Shamrocks 2-12

On Sunday, June 28, at Paddy’s field, Boston Shamrocks made their debut against Leitrim for a position in the next round of the knockout Championship. This being Boston’s first time taking part in a New York competition, other than seven a side, was going to be a great challenge for any team, especially Leitrim after their disappointing loss to Na Fianna last week.

Peter Brennan got things under way by throwing the ball up between the midfielders, for Boston Emma Keane and Georgina Kelly, for Leitrim Sadie Bolger and Colette O’Sullivan. Leitrim, ball hungry from the start, took early possession and worked the ball down to their forwards. Leitrim were first to take a score, and put a point over the bar. Within a few minutes, Boston replied in kind with a point. The first couple of minutes really set the tempo for this game, with two such evenly matched teams this was certainly going to be real battle. Both teams fought well to get the edge over one another, with scores coming from both sides of the field. The Leitrim forwards were forced to put many good scoring chances wide by the Boston Shamrock defense of Bernie Guiney and Sally Gallagher. Boston, who were slightly more accurate with their scores but found it hard at times to work the ball through the midfield. At half time, Leitrim add the advantage of a 4-point lead, but in terms of play there was nothing between the teams.

The second half provide more thrills for the large crowd that had now accumulated at Paddy’s Field. Again at the throw in Leitrim were first to take the ball and a score, and again Boston replied with a point. Under the intense heat of the day both teams fought on bravely with Leitrim now enjoy some great possession of the ball, and edged ahead with some great points from Ann Marie Snee and Mira Grogan. With 10 minutes to go, Leirtim had a 6-point lead. Denise Dunican and Sinead McGreal found a weak spot in the Leitrim defense and began their comeback with a wonderful rally of points. Leitrim must have thought it was a rerun from the previous week with a quick goal catching them completely unaware. With the sides now level and minutes remaining the Leitrim defense were under pressure but cleared it out to their forwards.

The replay will be played on July 12th, with venue and time still to be confirmed.

Paula Walsh 1-1, Mira Grogan 1-3, Eibhlish Dinnen 0-1, Sadie Bolger 0-1, Ann Marie McMunn 0-1, Ann Marie Snee 0-3. Leitrim Player of the Game: Mira Grogan. Boston Players of the Game: Denise Dunican and Emma Keane

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Cavan 2-7, Na Fianna 0-12

These two teams always play each other tough and this game was no exception. It was anyone’s game right up to the final whistle. They will meet again on July 19 in the final of the Sean Faherty Championship.

It was NaFianna who started the game with a burst of energy with Alison Lineen catching the through in and Rose Dunican finishing it off with the first point of the game. They continued to put Cavan on the robes and were quick to add another point from Edel Martin. Cavan showing some first-half jitters didn’t settle down until Ger Mahon put two points on the score board. The next 10 minutes of the game was easily NaFianna’s best period, when they struck three points without reply, the best being two beautiful points from Catherine Walsh from difficult angles. They were unfortunate at this stage to loose the services of Mary McEvoy, who went off due to injury and was replaced by Siobhan Fitzpatrick. Cavan were feeling the pressure but Rose O’Reilly was quick to take advantage of a short kick out mistake by Na Fianna to pass the ball inside to the waiting Deirdre Feeney who put the ball in the back of the net. O’Reilly was finding form and scored another quick point and set up the final goal of the half with a pass to Karen Shalvey who punched the ball into the net.

With Cavan up four points going into the second half, the stage was set for a tough final 30 minutes. Na Fianna were all over them from the start and again it was Dunican and Martin who scored the first two points. Catherine Walsh was unlucky not to have scored a goal, which was blocked by Sharon Nevins and somehow Louise McCambridge managed to keep it out of the net for Cavan. Walsh and Dunican were a constant threat to the Cavan defense. Another shot on goals by Dunican was well caught by Nevins who was having a busy evening. Emer Hallissey entered the game at this stage for the injured Edel Martin. Cavan continued to rally with O’Reilly scoring two great points from frees. Na Fianna answered back with three points from Walsh and a point from Alison Lineen. The sides were level for the first time and the spectators were on their feet sensing that this was going to be a sensational ending. Neither team were about to give up but through to a Captain’s roll Catherine Russell gave Cavan the edge they needed. She had a brilliant second half picking up lots of ball and sending them into the forward line.

Some nice passing by Cavan found Karen Shalvey, who scored the go-ahead point, followed by Ger Mahon, who added a little security with another point. With only three minutes to go Na Fianna were putting on all the pressure and only for some good work by full back Olive Lynch and Louise McCambridge in the corner this could have been a very different ending. Maree Maloney scored the final point for NaFianna to leave Cavan with the win by a point.

Cavan scorers: Ger Mahon 0-3, Deirdre Feeney 1-0, Rosie O’Reilly 0-3, Karen Shalvey 1-1. Cavan Player of the Game: Catherine Russell.

Na Fianna: Rose Dunican 0-3, Edel Martin 0-2, Catherine Walsh 0-5, Alison Lineen 0-1, Maree Maloney 0-1. Na Fianna Player of the Game: Catherine Walsh.

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