LEITRIM 4-4, CAVAN 3-3 The opening game in Paddy’s Field was everything one would expect from the two top ladies teams in New York.
Leitrim, who have been on the losing end of Cavan’s wrath for some time, will revel in their sweet victory. It was an excellent game to watch as both teams fought to the final whistle.
Leitrim had a dream start with a penalty which Sadie Bolger powered into the back of the net and a goal from Ann Marie McMunn. Cavan’s Justine Clifford opened their scoreline with a point and shortly afterward Karen Shalvey got a goal from a rebounded save.
Leitrim worked the ball down the field again resulting in a point from Colette O’Sullivan. Cavan’s reply was a point from a rebounded free which found Breda Carroll, leaving the halftime score Leitrim 2-1, Cavan 1-2.
The second half produced some nail-biting moments. Sadie Bolger increased Leitrim’s lead with a point. Cavan worked the ball to Karen Shalvey, who went on her familiar left wing solo and made no mistake in finding the back of the net to draw the game. Both teams enjoyed plenty of possession with both defenses working extra hard to keep the scores to a minimum.
The game remained a draw until Leitrim’s Colette O’Sullivan and Pat Meade put their team in front with a point each. A great goal from Trish Gleeson put them further in front. Cavan replied with a point from Rosie O’Reilly and lobbing kick from Breda Carroll found the back of Leitrim’s net.
Follow us on social media
Keep up to date with the latest news with The Irish Echo
But in the end it was to be Leitrim’s day as Tracey McLoughlin put another goal away in the dying minutes, leaving no time for Cavan to reply.
Leitrim scorers: Sadie Bolger 1-2, Ann Marie McMunn 1-0, Trish Gleeson 1-0, Tracey McLoughlin 1-0, Colette O’Sullivan 0-1, Pat Meade 0-1.
Cavan: Karen Shalvey 2-0, Justine Clifford 0-1, Breda Carroll 1-1, Rosie O’Reilly 0-1.
Players of the Game: Sadie Bolger, Leitrim; Olive Wilson, Cavan
ROCKLAND 4-11, MONAGHAN 1-2 Rockland gained their first points of the season by defeating Monaghan.
Monaghan put plenty of pressure on the Rockland back line, but their forwards lacked the essential finishing to stay in the game, particularly in the second half. The first half was closely fought as both sides enjoyed plenty of possession.
With only two points separating the sides at halftime, it looked like the game could go either way in the second half. However, it was Rockland who took control with some great passing down the field. As the gap in the scoreline increased, Monaghan were unable to reply and appeared to lose heart toward the end.
Rockland’s Clare Charlton was in top form with Kelly Gorman, Kathy Quinn, Clare Charlton, Mags Dineen, Rose Galvin, M’bh Brennan, Coleen McElroy, Ann Marie Maye and Kerry Ann Galvin giving their all. For Monaghan, Norma McCarthy was outstanding at midfield with great play from Liz Collins, Martina Duffy, Marie Flood, Maudy Lynn, Kate McEntee, Jane McAndrew, Catherine Donohue, Sandra Swinburne and Ann Marie Duffy.
Rockland scorers: Coleen McElroy 2-1, Mags Dineen 0-4, Lisa Magiotta 1-1, Clare Charlton 0-5, Kerry Ann Galvin 0-1, Ann Marie Maye 1-0.
Monaghan: Catherine Donohue 1-2
Players of the Game: Clare Charlton, Rockland; Norma McCarthy, Monaghan.
MAYO 4-9, AN CHIARRAI 2-2 Mayo were in top form and were not accepting anything less than a win from this encounter. An Chiarrai played a tough, determined game but were unable to put a halt to Mayo’s forwards, who had some great finishing, particularly in the first half, with Joanne McKenna bursting through the defense on a couple of occasions to find the back of the net.
In the second half, An Chiarrai gallantly attempted to bridge the gap, putting on plenty of pressure and scored some great points from play.
For the winners, keeper Patti McGrail made some excellent saves, with great play ALSO from Mary Toolan, Ellen McGrail, Teresa O’Malley, Fiona Ward, Sharon Gallagher, Karen McCaffrey, Cathy McKenna, Ann Marie McGrail, Camie O’Shea, Eilish Doherty and Joanne McKenna. For An Chiarrai, their keeper, Ella Lowebridge, made some fine saves, with Mary Tuohy, Marlese Fath, Patricia O’Brien, Ann Hanrahan, Pauline O’Connor and Nora Quane also playing a fine game.
Mayo scorers: Joanne McKenna (2-0), Teresa O’Malley (2-2), Mary Toolan (0-1) and Una Rice (0-2).
An Chiarrai: Sheila Frayne (1-0), Ann O’Neill (1-0) and Mary Tuohy (0-2).
Players of the Game: Teresa O’Malley, Mayo; Ella Lowebridge, An Chiarrai.
NEXT WEEK New York Ladies Championship Schedule for Sunday, May 10, in Paddy’s Field: 1:30 p.m., Cavan vs. Mayo; 2:45, Na Fianna vs. An Chiarrai; 4, Monaghan vs. Leitrim.
RAFFLE The New York Ladies GAA have raffle tickets in circulation at the moment. There is a valuable prize of a trip to the World Cup in June including three pairs of tickets to games, flights and accommodation. Tickets are $20. The draw will take place on Sunday, May 24, in Arthur Daly’s bar.