N.Y. LGAA Roundup Wins of Cavan, Leitrim and Mayo

Due to the inclement weather, Sunday’s games could be called the day of the goalkeepers and missed opportunities, with balls hitting the crossbar or goalpost. The best advice the managers could give to the players was to kick the ball into the square and see what happened, such were the conditions.

Cavan 6-9, Monaghan 1-2

Despite the pouring rain for the first match, those who braved the elements were not disappointed by the display of football between Monaghan and Cavan. The scoreline did not reflect the run of play as both teams played their hearts to the final whistle.

Monaghan did not allow the Breffni side to relax as they kept the pressure on but were unable to convert their scores quite as well as Cavan.

Cavan scores: Caroline O’Sullivan 0-1, Maureen O’Driscoll 0-1, Rosie O’Reilly 1-3, Louise Fox 1-1, Breda Carroll 2-1, Deirdre Feeney 0-2, Karen Shalvey 2-0.

Player of the Game: Deirdre Maher (Middle of the field)

Monaghan scores: Noreen O’Reilly 1-0, Catherine Donohoe 0-1, Chris Gallagher 0-1.

Player of the Game: Pauline Dillon (goalkeeper)

Leitrim 2-4, Na Fianna 1-5

The rain cleared off for the second game, making the conditions slightly better, but the ground was still wet and slippery. This was a closely fought encounter with both teams enjoying plenty of possession.

Leitrim opened scoreline with a point from Pat Meade after about 10 minutes of play. Na Fianna replied shortly afterward when Marie Curran pointed a free kick.

Leitrim’s passing was excellent and a lovely move from Colette McElligot to Pat Meade, to Mairead Casey to Tracey Rice who put the ball over the bar.

As play continued Leitrim looked most in control

At the half Leitrim were ahead 2-3 to Na Fianna’s 1-2.

In the second half, Na Fianna were first to score with a free kick pointed by Marie Curran.

Leitrim once again worked the ball well but had many wides and a couple of great saves from Na Fianna’s keeper Ann Murray denied them scoring chances.

Leitrim’s Sadie Bolger increased their lead with a point from a free kick, being their only score in the second half.

Leitrim scores: Pat Meade 0-1, Tracey Rice 0-2, Mairead Casey 1-0, Ann Marie McMunn 1-0, Sadie Bolger 0-1.

Player of the Game: Colette McElligot (Center half back)

Na Fianna Scores: Marie Curran 0-5, Mary Kearney 0-1

Player of the Game: Ann Murray (Keeper)

Mayo 3-11, Rockland 2-3

With Mayo needing a win in this game to gain two valuable points in the championship, the urgency was evident from the throw-in. Had Rockland started the game with 15 players instead of 13, in would have been interesting to see how this game would have ended up. As it was Mayo had the upper hand at the start and took full advantage of the extra players.

A quick goal by Camie O’Shea gave the Rockland goalkeeper Kelly Gorman little time to think as she choose to come off her line.

Despite the quick start, Mayo had a period of wides from Joanne McKenna, Camie O’Shea and Teresa O’Malley before a quick ball down the field by Rockland gave Colleen McElroy a point which was followed by a great save by Brenda McElduff to stop a M’bh Brennan attempt at goal.

Mayo’s reply came in the form of two quick scores by Ellen McGrail (1-1) and a point by Joanne McKenna.

A goal attempt by Colette McGoldrick and Cathy McKenna resulted in fine saves by Gorman but she was unable to stop the Mayo point-scoring with further points coming from Joanne McKenna (0-2) and Anne Barcoe (0-2).

The introduction of Kerri Ann Galvin into the forward line opened up the game for Rockland with Lorraine Kiernan getting a much needed goal to ignite the Rockland players.

At halftime, the score was Mayo 2-6, Rockland 1-1.

Now playing with the full 15, Rockland began to come more into the game but were unable to put some quick points on the board.

O’Gorman’s head was the dream start Mayo needed in the second half.

Mayo Scores: Camie O’Shea 1-0, Ellen McGrail 1-1, Joanne McKenna 1-6, Ann Barcoe 0-2, Louise McMahon 0-1, Cathy McKenna 0-1.

Player of the Game: Joanne McKenna

Rockland Scores: Colleen McElroy 0-1, Lorraine Kiernan 1-0, M’bh Brennan 0-2, KerriAnn Galvin 1-0.

Player of the Game: Kelly Gorman.

May 26-June 1, 1999