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Category: Archive

LGAA Roundup: Routs aplenty in Kearney openers

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Cavan 4-8 Monaghan 1-2

A second-half rally by Cavan left no one in any doubt why they have been champions for many years. In the first half, both teams enjoyed plenty of possession with good passing. Monaghan were first on the scoreboard with a point from Siobhan Donovan. Cavan replied quickly with a point from Gillian Bennett. As play continued it looked like Monaghan meant business and on several occasions forced Cavan forwards to send scoring attempts either side of the post. Despite being down players Cavan due to the unfortunate loss of Breda Carroll in the middle of the half through a knee injury Cavan kept pressure on the Monaghan defense.

At half time only 2 points separated the teams with Cavan 4 points to Monaghan’s 2 points.

In the second half, Cavan stepped up their effort with excellent passing throughout the field. Rosie O’Reilly was in top-scoring from with a personal tally of 2-5 took her scores well when they were needed most.

Monaghan fought hard to the final whistle but were unable to work the ball through their forwards due to tight marking of the Cavan backline who rarely gave their markers an inch. A goal from Sandra Swinburne in the middle of the half gave Monaghan a lift but this was to be their only score of the half. For the winners, it was an all-around team effort with excellent play from Louise Fox, Rosie O’Reilly, Karen Shalvey, Catherine McAteer and Caroline O’Sullivan. For Monaghan, stars were Dervil Carey, Marie Flood, Kelly McAnnelly, Frances Brennan and Siobhan Donovan.

Cavan scorers: Rosie O’Reilly 2-5, Gillian Bennett 0-2, Catherine McAteer 1-0, Karen Shalvey 1-1.

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Monaghan: Siobhan Donovan 0-2, Sandra Swinburne 1-0.

Players of the game: Louise Fox (Cavan), Dervil Carey (Monaghan).

Leitrim 3-29, Fermanagh 0-0

Leitrim’s experience proved too much for Fermanagh in Sunday’s opening game in the first round of the Anne Kearney Knockout Cup at Paddy’s Field.

Leitrim’s passing was excellent, and while Fermanagh tried hard to hold onto possession, they were no match for their opponents on the day. Leitrim’s forwards took their scoring chances well and Fermanagh’s keeper, Nollaig Cleary, had a busy day kicking out the ball.

Fermanagh’s backline spent the hour under severe pressure, with their midfield trying hard, but mainly without successful, to work the ball to their forwards.

A rally in the dying minutes by Fermanagh to get on the scoreboard did not produce the score they would dearly have loved to get.

For the winners it was an all-around team effort with great play from Collette McElligot, Mags Dineen, Kathleen Hickey, Joanne Hoenninger, Maureen O’Driscoll and Eibhlish Dineen.

For Fermanagh, stars were Nollaig Cleary, Ursula Mallon, AnnMarie Murray, Brenda Fields, Fionola McConnell, Pauline Boylan and Marina McBrien.

Leitrim scorers: Pat Meade: 0-2, Eiblish Dineen 1-8, Colette McElligot 1-5, Maureen O’Driscoll 0-4, Mags Dineen 0-5, Ann Flood 0-2, Mairead Casey 1-0, Ann Holland 0-3.

Players of the Game: Mags Dineen (Leitrim), Nollaig Cleary (Fermanagh).

Mayo 3-20, Donegal 0-0

The second game was another one-sided affair, with Mayo taking advantage of their scoring opportunities to put them in the next round of the cup against Rockland, which will decide which team goes forward to the semifinals of the knockout on May 21. This will be the only second-round game as the other three playoff spots were decided today and will be played next Sunday instead of their Sean Faherty championship game, which will be rescheduled to a later date.

Donegal’s back line were under pressure for most of the hour and did their best to keep Mayo’s scores to a minimum, but found it hard to stop the experienced Mayo forwards. The Donegal keeper, Kim Brosnan, made some fine saves but was unable to stop the goals from Ellen McGrail and Audrey Hennessy.

For Mayo, best were Ellen McGrail, Fiona Ward, Joanne McKenna and Audrey Hennessy. For Donegal, best were Kim Brosnan, Roisin Moran, Jenny Harvey, Ciara McAuley and Nora Dineen.

Mayo scorers: Ellen McGrail 1-2, Audrey Hennessy 2-4, Joanne McKenna 0-9, Una Kennedy 0-1, Fiona Ward 0-1, Sharon Gallagher 0-2, Camie O’Shea 0-1

Players of the game: Joanne McKenna (Mayo), Kim Brosnan (Donegal).

Na Fianna 4-14, Stamford 0-0

Na Fianna will be happy with this victory against Stamford, their first this season. Always a team to reckon with they have been a little sluggish in starting this season.

However, watch out for them towards the end of the season when the points get close and every team has their three-player summer quota. Stamford, on the other hand, has nothing to be ashamed off. Of the three new teams that

entered the league they have shown a lot of promise and were probably a little unlucky today not to get their name on the scoreboard.

Na Fianna had an impressive opening quickly building up a convincing lead with full forward Mary McEvoy having a productive afternoon with a personal tally of 2-4. There was nothing she could do wrong with able assistance from corner forwards Ann Murray and Marie Maloney. While Stamford have some nice players in Katherina Brennan and Kathrina Lynch, their basic weakness in the full-forward line was easily exposed.

Na Fianna looked sharp and incisive the entire game, with some great midfield work by Alison Lineen and Helena Campion, who used the long ball into the

forward line the entire afternoon. While Stamford threatened on a number occasions, fullback Caroline Conway was always on hand to make the catch and

the clearance.

In the second half, Na Fianna added goals by Mary McEvoy and Ann Murray to put the game out of reach.

A fine performance by NaFianna with praise going to Helena Campion Player of the Game, who contested every ball and showed her fitness and determination throughout. Good sportsmanship was also shown by Manager Paul Doherty to introduce several subs when it was clear that the game was over.

NaFianna scorers: Mary McEvoy 2-4, Marie Maloney 1-2, Ann Murray 1-1, Helena Campion 0-3, Monica Slevin 0-1, Marie Curran 0-1, Grace Kelly 0-1, Eimear Curran 0-1.

Players of the Game: Helena Campion (Na Fianna), Kathrina Brennan (Stamford).

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