February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Na Fianna 3-13, Monaghan 2-8
Na Fianna restored some pride when they got the better of a brave and honest Monaghan challenge at the weekend. Helena Campion was outstanding at midfield for Na Fianna and was welcomed back after their defeat the previous week to Cavan. Campion has recovered fully from her recent injury and is better than ever.
Alison Lineen was also to the fore around the middle and her distribution and interlinking with Joanne Hayes were vital. Hayes was outstanding in front of the posts and her 1-7 was the difference between two evenly matched sides.
Monaghan, to their credit, have improved since their victory over Rockland, but they are still very disorganized at the back. Pamela Donoghue and Sandra Swinburne both rattled Na Fianna’s defense with fine scores, while Maura Moran worked to the bitter end.
Na Fianna scorers: Joanne Hayes 1-7, Etna McGovern 1-1, Mary Touhy 0-3, Marie Curran 0-1. Alison Lineen 0-1.
Monaghan: Sandra Swinburne 2-1, Pamela Donoghue 0-3, Sheila Sexton 0-2, Maura Moran 0-2.
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Mayo 2-13, Rockland 0-1
Mayo are improving, but they still have along way to go before they compete with the more polished Breffini women. On Sunday, it was mere shooting practice for the Westerners as they cantered to victory over pointless Rockland. Joanne McKenna and Denise Dunnion were unstoppable for the Connaght women as they rifled over points from all angles. Rockland who were short a number of regular players, never really bothered the Mayo defense.
Mayo scorers: Joanne McKenna 1-3, Cathy McKenna 0-3, Denise Dunnion 0-5, Collette McGolderick 0-2, Elen McGrail 1-0.
Rockland: Kerry-Ann Schaudle 0-1.
Fermanagh 4-3, Stamford 1-3
Fermanagh got their first points of the season with a well-deserved victory over Stamford in the final game of the day. The Ulster women were in front from the off, and with Urusla Mallon, Brenda McElduff and Julie Pierson hitting the target, they never looked back. Stamford, who were slow to start, were a transformed side in the second half, and with scores from Teresa and Catriona Lynch, they narrowed the gap. However, the Erne girls pulled away again in the final minutes and were deserving of the two points.
Fermanagh scorers: Brenda McEluff 2-0, Ursula Mallon 1-1, Julie Pierson 1-0, Fionnula McConnell 0-1, Brenda Field 0-1.
Stamford: Teresa Lynch 1-1, Catriona Lynch 0-2.
Preview
Mayo vs. Cavan
GAA pundits will wager their bets for the women’s championship after this early starter at Van Cortlandt Park. Cavan are favorites, yet Mayo will rattle their pulpit position. It’s the game that everyone has being waiting for with baited breath.
Mayo looked a little sluggish in their victory over Rockland last weekend and they have yet to set this league a light. It’s disappointing that the game isn’t going ahead at Gaelic Park, yet the lowly venue will mean little to the competitors. Cavan will welcome back all-star Gillian Bennett and a few others who were out of town for the Na Fianna game.
Caroline O’Sullivan, Ger Mahon and Nadine Doherty will cause trouble for Mayo at the back, while reliable Rosie O’Reilly is also capable of match-winning scores.
Mayo will look to Donegal native Sharon Gallagher, Ellen McGreal, Joanne McKenna and Louise McMahon for inspiration. If they get help from the other sectors, they won’t be far away. Cavan get the nod on this occasion, but Mayo will be better prepared when they meet later in the year.