February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Cathy McKenna followed with a point. Kerry D Gold pushed forward, but their final pass failed as both teams adopted a sweeper between the halfback and fullback lineso. Mayo were denied a goal as Denise Dunnion’s ball hit the crossbar, though in the resultant play Joanne McKenna notched up another point. Ellen McGrail tagged on another point. In the 21st minute, Maureen O’Driscoll was forced off due to injury and was replaced by Anne Holland, who seemed to settle the Kerry D Gold backline. Mary Cooney moved into the forward line and they were rewarded with a fine point. In the next play Kerry D Gold were awarded a free on the 21-yard-line and Mary Cooney blasted the ball into the Mayo net leaving 0-1 between the teams. Mary Cooney continued Kerry D Gold’s comeback with another point to bring the team’s level and Kerry D Gold took the lead with a fine point from Ann-Marie O’Malley. Lynda Donnelly replied with a point to bring the halftime score to 1-3 to 0-6.
Mayo opened the scoring in the second half with a point from Denise Dunnion, followed again by a point from Joanne McKenna, whose tally was 0-5 in this half. Mayo really showed their experience doing enough to kill off Kerry D Gold, who failed to turn their possession into scores shooting a lot of wides in the first 15 minutes. Mary Cooney, Michelle McVann, Cathy Hughes and Anne Holland played well for Kerry D Gold, while Cathy and Joanne McKenna, Joanne Monaghan and Lynda Donnelly were Mayo’s best.
Players of the Game: Mayo, Joanne McKenna; Kerry D Gold, Michelle McVann.
Mayo: Colette McGoldrick, Elaine O’Donovan, Eleanor Fox, Tina Fay, Karen Henry, Jo Monaghan, Imelda Mullarkey, Ellen McGrail (0-1), Fiona Ward, Sharon Gallagher, Lynda Donnelly (0-2), Cathy McKenna (1-2), Denise Dunnion (0-2), Joanne McKenna (0-8), Nora McGrail. Subs: Caroline Doherty.
Kerry-D-Gold: Eibhlish Dinneen, Kathleen Hickey, Molly O’Keefe, Kathy Hughes, Karen O’Grady, Mary Cooney(1-2), Aisling Whelan, Mags Dinneen, Michelle McVann, Marie Cassells, Aoife Gibson, Maureen O’Driscoll, Bobbi Stacks, Ann Marie O’Malley(0-1), Mairead Casey. Subs: Kathleen Enright, Anne Holland, Loretta Duffy, Deirdre Maher.
NA FIANNA 2-8, ROCKLAND 1-3
Rockland opened with a well-taken goal from corner forward Sinead Keane. Na Fianna fought hard to win the ball back with Patricia Reddington finding her target taking Na Fianna back into the game. Rockland’s Jenny Kirby seemed to dominate a lot of the ball in the middle of the field in the first half. Kerry Ann Gavlin worked well in Rockland’s defense. Lorraine Leacy and Paula Barrett produced some fine scores and Lorraine Kieran and Jenny Kirby each notched up one at the other end of the field, leaving the halftime score 1-4 to 1-2.
Na Fianna’s midfield partnership of Lorraine Leacy and Mary Melly created some brilliant plays in the second half, and Mags Ryan intercepted a lot of Rockland’s attacks. Rockland’s goalie, Siobhan O’Grady, was on great form, pulling off some great saves, which keep her team within reach of Na Fianna. Na Fianna never seem to stop, Jeanie Rynne add to their when she was able to find the back of Rockland’s net.
Na Fianna now plays Mayo in the fnal of the Annie Kearney Cup on July 11 at 1 p.m. at Gaelic Park.
Players of the Game: Na Fianna, Mags Ryan; Rockland, Ann Marie Gavlin.
Na Fianna: R. Dunnigan, S. Hannon, C. Lynch, M. Slevin, M. Ryan, G. Kelly, F. McConnell, L. Leacy (0-4), M. Melly, M. Melly, P. Barrett (1-2), M. Parsells, J. Rynne (1-1), P. Reddington (0-1), S. Bush.
Rockland: S. O’Grady, M. Fath, P. O’Connor, K.A. Gavlin, C. Dunleavy, T. Doyle, J. Foley, J. Kirby (0-1), C. Quinn, A. May, E. Strandfield, L. Kieren (0-1), S. Keane (1-0). Sub A. Fitzpatrick (0-1).
NEXT WEEK
Sunday, 1 p.m., Monaghan vs. Rockland; 2:30 p.m., Cavan vs. Kerry D Gold; 4 p.m., Mayo vs. Na Fianna.