February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Rockland got off to a strong start, with Allison Smith winning the throw in, and powering her way through Monaghan’s defense. Unfortunately, she could not finish as she drove the ball wide.
The Rockland girls won the kick out and Jenny Kirby was fouled within scoring distance. It left them with another chance to be the first on the score sheet, but it wasn’t going to happen, as she sent it right of the up-rights.
It was Tyrone native Mena Tuohey who registered the first score for her side, which was quickly followed up with another point after Ciara McGahan won the kick out and found Tuohey who had no trouble putting the ball over the bar. Rockland’s Allison Smith, Janet Mordecki and Jenny Kirby worked hard to get their side’s first score which came in the 9th minute after Smith fielded the ball well from the kick out in mid-field and was unstoppable as she battled her way up the field and had no problem beating the ball over the bar.
Monaghan seemed to be winning a lot of Rockland’s kick outs, but Rockland never gave up, with Marliese Fath who did well in Rockland’s nets pulling off a number of saves to keep her team within reach of the Monaghan side. With a strong performance from Kerry Ann Galvin and Jonnie Foley they were able to supply impressive balls into their forward line. Points came from Kirby and Smith to bring their team within 2 points at half time.
Rockland needed to hit back early in the second period if they were to stage a come back, it was Jenny Kirby who opened the scoring within seconds of the throw in when she notched over a remarkable point from play.
Allison Smith brought her team in front for the first time after winning the kick-out and easily tipped the ball over the bar. Monaghan replied with a high lob in by Aisling McCabe which was broke down by Anita McKenna who found Ciara McGahan whose shot hit the up-right, however, Jenna Connell picked up the loose ball and left the goalie with no chance as she buried it into the back of Rockland net.
After Bernie Tuohey won the kick-out she found sister Mena who carried the ball into scoring distance and without difficulty sent the ball soaring over the bar. For 15 minutes of the play it was point for point from both sides with scores coming from Allison Smith, Jenny Kirby, Tabitha Moran and Lorraine Kiernan from the Rockland side and Jenna Connell and Bernie Tuohey for Monaghan. Rockland found themselves within 2 points of Monaghan when Jonnie Foley sent a high ball over the top of the goalies head and dropped into the back of Monaghan’s net. Bernie Tuohey who had been dominating a lot in the mid-field with partner Anita McKenna took her second point of the game to level the sides. All square with only minutes to go both Rockland and Monaghan fought hard to bring their team ahead, unfortunately for Rockland is was Bernie Tuohey who after a second attempt on goal managed to chip the ball over the goalies head to bring her team ahead and see her sister Mena pick-up the Peter Connaughton Cup.
Monaghan: D. Kennedy, C. Donohue, E. Bailey, G. Smith, V. Carey, N. White, K. Coffey, A. McKenna(0-1), B. Tuohey (1-2), A. McCabe, J. Connell (1-4), C. McGahan(0-1), M. Fitzpatrick, M. Tuohey(0-5), M.O’Rourke. Subs: S.Cronin, I. Deehan.
Rockland: M. Fath, K. O’Keefe, B. Cremins, P. O’Connor, A. McShane, M. Murphy, J. Mordecki, J. Foley(1-0), A. Smith(0-4), K.A. Galvin, T. Moran(0-2), J. Kirby(0-6), A.M. Maye, L. Kiernan(0-1), S. Aiello Subs: C. Dunleavy.
CAVAN 3-15 NA FIANNA 4-11
Sunday saw the last round of play-off games in the Sean Faherty Championship. Mayo faced Kerry/Donegal with Cavan meeting Na Fianna. After the play-off’s Cavan find themselves at the top of the table going into the semi-final’s stages of the Sean Faherty Cup in which they will have to overcome a much-improved Na Fianna team.
It was Na Fianna who opened the score sheet after Cliona O’Keefe and Mary O’Rourke combined well to win the throw in and found Jeanine Rynne waiting on the corner of the square, she buried the ball into the bottom corner of Cavan’s goals. Mary O’Rourke increased Na Fianna lead with an easily taken free after Aileen Cunningham was fouled. After winning the kick-out O’Rourke was able to supply the ball to Brenda Furlong who found her target with ease. Na Fianna were controlling the ball well all over the field and it was in the 5th Minute that Rosie O’Reilly brought her team back into the game with a point from play. Orlagh Cullan supplied Cavan with their 2nd score after Nuala Carroll had 3 attempts on goal; however with excellent goal keeping, Cavan had to settle for a point. Cavan followed this with a point from Ciara McDermott bringing Cavan within 2 points of Na Fianna. With great performances from the McConnell sisters and Na Fianna’s mid-field, Cliona O’Keefe drove a low, hard, and fast ball past Sharon Levins to increase their lead by 5 points. Paula Barrett tried to put her name on Na Fianna’s score sheet but unfortunately a fist pass over the bar dropped short into the back of Cavan’s net which was disallowed. Cavan never gave up with points coming from Orlagh Cullan and Rosie O’Reilly while Mary O’Rourke kept adding to her personal tally with a point from play and one from a free. Cavan were winning a lot of the kick outs from both sides with Linda McKeon who was always able to out jump her opponent and Ciara McDermott cleaning up a lot of the loose ball. Cavan were able to close the gap with Amy O’Grady, and then a long awaited goal off the boot of Mid-Fielder Linda McKeon after she broke down Na Fianna’s kick out, which she passed off to Justine Clifford who found Rosie O’Reilly in the inside but with a lot of pressure from Finola McConnell, Rosie opted to pass off to McKeon who then sent the ball soaring pass the Na Fianna keeper. Paula Barrett replied at the other end with a successful low shot on the Cavan Goal after Sharon Levins pulled off a save from Aileen Cunningham who tried for Goal. As the game continued to swing from one end to the other, Cavan again got on top of possession with points coming from O’Grady and O’Reilly. Mary O’Rourke added a further point to Na Fianna’s lead.
Na Fianna were the first on the score sheet again with 2 points and a goal coming off the boot of the unstoppable Mary O’Rourke within minutes of the throw in. Cavan responded with 3 passes down the field into the hands of Nuala Carroll who was able to send a high ball into the top corner of Na Fianna’s net. Ciara Mc Dermott followed it up with an exceptional point after the kick-out. Na Fianna produced some brilliant passing from the back line right into their full-forward line which enabled Paula Barrett to increase her sides lead after she turned Pauline Reid and potted the ball easily over the bar after an outstanding pass from O’Rourke. Tyrone Native Catherine Kelly lifted her team’s spirits to send a powerful ball searing past the Na Fianna Keeper. Winning the kick-out Cavan were able to level the score with an excellent point taken by Sinead Keenan which was quickly followed by points coming from Linda McKeon and Nuala Carroll to take the lead. Na Fianna fought hard but unfortunately could not get back on top. Mary O’Rourke’s last attempt on goal was well deflected over the bar by Sharon Levins.
Na Fianna: J. Heinsohn, M. Slevin, F. McConnell, A. McConnell, M. Ryan, A. Leyden, L. McConnell, C. O’Keefe, M. O’Rourke, J. Rynne, L. Wall, A. Ryan, B. Furlong, P. Barrett, A . Cunningham. Subs: M. Melly, F. Fallon.
Cavan: S. Levins, K. Pennell, P. Reid, E. Doherty, A. Traynor, M. Maguire, A. Gomez, L. McKeon, C. McDermott, S. Keenan, O. Cullen, J. Clifford, N. Carroll, R. O’Reilly, A. O’Grady. Subs: C. Kelly, C. O’Malley.
Players of the Game:-Cavan: Ciara McDermott Na Fianna: Linda Wall.
MAYO 3-11 KERRY/DONEGAL 0-9
Mayo sent out a message in this game that they are serious contenders for the championship. Kerry/Donegal took the field under strength due to injuries and vacation however they still dominated for large periods of this game but were unable to convert the possession into scores.
Denise Dunnion opened Kerry/Donegal’s account with a free. Imelda Mullarkey brought the sides level with a fine point from play. Dunnion drove the ball wide after a great pass from Bobbi Stacks putting her through on goals with only the keeper to beat. She made no mistake with her next shot placing it between the uprights. Mayo slowly began to come into the game with Edel Reilly driving it from midfield.
Kelly Roche scored a point and Linda Donnelly added another to put Mayo in the lead. Kelly Roche found herself free again to score Mayo’s first goal. Denise Dunnion got one back for Kerry/Donegal before Briege Daly scored a point for Mayo. It was Mayo who scored the last score of the half after Ellen McGrail who had came on in place of Colette McGoldrick who had left the pitch injured found herself on the end of a rebound of the goal keeper to score a goal leaving Mayo well ahead at the break 2-3 to 0-3.
With victory in their sights Mayo’s forwards began kicking over with ease and their backs stemming every Kerry/Donegal attack Mayo went 0-5 unanswered with 0-2 for Kelly Roche and Cathy McKenna and another for Linda Donnelly.
Then Mayo lay off a little with Kerry/Donegal slowly chipping away the lead, with 0-5. Sue Bennett scored 0-2 with Denise Dunnion adding 2 more and Maureen O’Driscoll scoring a point with Mayo only registering a solitary score from Linda Donnelly.
Stacey Cannon added another for Kerry/Donegal but the final nail came from Briege Daly who weaved her way through the Kerry/Donegal defense to score a goal.
Mayo will be pleased with their performance and will have to face Kerry/Donegal again if they are to proceed to the Sean Faherty Championship final. They will have to perform for the full 60 minutes with no lapses if they are to win. They will have Joanne McKenna and Fiona Ward back for the Semi-final. Kerry/Donegal will have Noelle Earley, Mary Cooney, Aoife Gibson, Cathy Hughes and Kathleen Enright available for this game and will be tougher opposition in the semi-final.
Mayo: N. McGrail, T. Foy, E. Fox, L. McMahon, K. Henry, L. Fox, J. Monaghan, E. Reilly, G. Roche, K. Roche(1-3), C. McGoldrick, I. Mullarkey (0-1), C. McKenna(0-2), L. Donnelly(0-3), B. Daly(1-2). Subs: E. McGrail (1-0), A. Voight.
Kerry/Donegal: T. Dengler, L. Duffy, A. Holland, K. Hickey, S. Neville, C. Fox, Y. Rabbitte, S. Cannon(0-1), A.M. O’Malley, B. Stacks, M. O’Driscoll(0-1), M. Cassels, D. Dunnion(0-5), S. Bennett(0-2), C. Dengler.
Players of the Game: Mayo: Edel O’Reilly, Kerry/Donegal: Shivaun Neville.
COMING UP…
Next week the focus changes to our underage team who will play in the Continental Youth Championships in San Francisco. New York has entered three teams at U-12, U-14 and U-16 levels and will hope to retain their U-12 and U- 16 titles. They will face stiff competition in San Francisco but all three teams have been working hard on the training field. The County board wishes all the young participants an enjoyable and safe weekend in San Francisco and good luck to all the mentors who have worked so hard during the year to get to this point. On August 19th the New York Ladies will host a “Stars in Your Eyes Talent Contest” in the Heritage to coincide with their Monster Raffle. For details on the contest please call (917) 407-9939.
All County Panel members are asked to attend an important meeting in the Riverdale Steak House on Wednesday August 3rd at 9:00 p.m. The upcoming International tournament will be discussed.