February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Na Fianna 1-15, Mayo 2-2
Raging favorites Mayo were gunned down in fascinating style by a new-look Na Fianna side that was full of determination. Mayo were stunned, to say the least. Missing influential attacker Joanne McKenna, the Westerners simply had no answer to the power of the Na Fianna midfield partnership.
From the opening whistle, Na Fianna meant business. Mags Fitzgerald hit the opening score and from there to the interval they held the advantage. Mayo’s usually very dependable defense were completely overpowered by the strong Na Fianna forwards, who, with Mary Touhy, Joanne Hayes and Fitzgerald all hitting the target, led by 1-8 to 0-1 at the interval and could easily have been further in front if it weren’t for some dismal shooting. When Ellen McGreal was sent to the line midway through the half, Mayo’s hopes of a revival went with her.
Mayo manager Paddy Ward was clearly outraged at the interval and his harsh words had immediate effect on his side. Mayo improved dramatically in the second half and with Cathy McKenna hitting two goals they narrowed the gap. Na Fianna, however, refused to buckle and with staunch defending they keep the ship afloat.
Mayo: Cathy McKenna 2-1, Louise McMahon 0-1.
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Na Fianna: Mags Fitzgerald 1-1, Joanne Hayes 0-4, Mary Touhy 0-5, Mary McEvoy 0-3, Jeanne Rynne 0-2.
Stamford 3-5, Fermanagh 2-4
Stamford registered their first win of the season with a gusty performance against struggling Fermanagh at Rockland on Sunday.
The entire first half was pedestrian and lastluster with both teams hitting some terrible wides. The second half was more productive, and with Eimear Curtis and Kay Lynch dominating around the middle, the visitors soon took the lead. Brenda McElduff and Chrissy McSweeney hit good scores for Fermanagh, but they lacked support from too many other sectors.
Stamford had the better of the exchanges in front of goal, and with sharpshooters Eimear Curtis and Trica O’Dwyer hitting late points, they held on for a deserved victory. That kept Fermanagh’s fight alive. Fermanagh’s Paula Mallon hit two late goals, but they arrived too late to alter the score sheet.
Stamford: Eimear Curtis 1-1, Carmel McQuillian 0-2, Trica O ‘Dwyer 1-2, Grainne Keogh 1-0.
Fermanagh: Brenda McElduff 0-2, Ursula Mallon 0-1, Paula Mallon 2-1.
Kerry 2-15, Donegal 1-4
The Div. 2 decider failed to live up to it’s billing. Donegal were completely overpowered by a much fitter and faster Kingdom outfit. The Ulster girls were under strength for the game and it was evident from early on they would struggle against the Munster kingpins. Tracey Rice and Maureen O’Driscoll were to the fore for Kerry in the opening half and early points gave them a clear advantage.
Donegal fought hard with excellent points from Caroline Kelly and Aoife Gibson however, they were always in arrears. Kerry put the game beyond Donegal shortly after half time and when goal number two the deal was done.
Kerry: Tracey Rice 1-7, Maureen O’Driscoll 0-4, Clare Treacy 0-2, Yvonne Rabbit 0-1, Mairead Casey 0-1, Briege Fallon 1-0.
Donegal: Caroline Kelly 1-2, Fiona Devenny 0-2.