February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Rockland overpowered Donegal by 4-15 to 0-1 in their first game of ladies football to open the season in Paddy’s Field.
Rockland was first on the scoreboard with Annmarie Maye registering the first point of the season, which was quickly followed by a bunched goal into the back of the net by Jen Miani.
While Joan Kiernan made some fine catches at fullback, she was unable to stop the continued pressure from Rockland who added scores from Sharon Aiello, Annmarie Schwable and Colleen McEllroy.
The second half saw more of the Rockland dominance and new players Lowing and McGrath breaking in their boots.
Donegal continued to try their best with some excellent saves by goalkeeper Kim Brosnan, and it seemed only fitting that their Captain Joan Kieran would score their first and only point of the game.
Rockland: Annmarie Maye 0-1, Jen Miani 2-2, Sharon Aiello 0-2, Colleen McElroy 1-4, M’bh Brennan 1-2, Annmarie Schawbel 0-2, Emily Lowing 0-1, Katie McGrath 0-1
Sign up to The Irish Echo Newsletter
Donegal: Joan Kiernan 0-1
Players of the Game: Jen Miani (Rockland) and Kelly Brosnan, goalkeeper (Donegal).
Cavan 1-5, Leitrim 1-4
Cavan set the pace in the first half of this game, giving Leitrim no time to settle. Catherine McAteer opened the scoreline in the first minute with a point for Cavan.
Leitrim replied almost immediately with a point from Pat Meade which was turned out to be their only score in the first half.
Cavan were solid throughout moving the ball well down the field. A cross from Karen Shalvey was saved by keeper Deidre Maher, however, her kickout was blocked by Liz McVeigh who made a pass to sharpshooter Gillian Bennet, who made space and took her shot which found the back of the net.
Bennet added another point from a fifty.
Cavan continued to put pressure on the Leitrim defense with a point from Rosie O’Reilly. Leitrim’s Mags Dinnen sent in a dangerous ball in front of the goals which was well defended by Louis Fox, who worked the ball out to mid field and found Bennet who put it over the bar for a point just before the half to leave the half time score Cavan 1-4, Leitrim 0-1.
Leitrim edged their way on the scoreline with a point from play from Pat Meade and points from AnnMarie McMunn and Mags Dineen who pointed a free kicks.
With everything to play for in the final seven minutes, Leitrim worked the ball into their forwards, Cavan’s Mary McGuire blocked a shot which led to a scuffle in the goal mouth, Leitrim’s Teresa Mahoney got her boot to it, putting it over the line to draw the game.
For Cavan their first half performance won them the victory points. Great play from Caroline O’Sullivan, Karen Shalvey, Pauline Coleman, Catherine McAteer, Gillian Bennett, Olive Lynch and Louise Fox. For Leitrim best were Ann Holland, Collette McElligot, Debbie Murphy, AnnMarie McMunn, Pat Meade and Eibhlish Dineen.
Cavan scorers: Gillian Bennett 1-3, Catherine McAteer 0-1, Rosie O’Reilly, 0-1.
Leitrim: Pat Meade 0-2, Mags Dineen 0-2, Teresa O’Mahoney 1-0.
Cavan: Sharon Levins, Louise Fox, Olive Lynch, Ger Faherty, Mary Maguire, Olive Wilson, Pauline Coleman, Justine Clifford, Caroline O’Sullivan, Rosie O’Reilly, Breda Carroll, Liz McVeigh, Karen Shalvey, Catherine McAteer, Gillian Bennett.
Leitrim: Deidre Maher, Kathleen Hickey, Ann Holland, Joanne Hoeninger, Debbie Murphy, Colette McElligot, Connie Reddington, AnnMarie McMunn, Mags Dineen, Pat Meade, Clare Tracey, Teresa Mahoney, Eibhlish Dineen, Mairead Casey, Noreen O’Brien. Subs Marie Vaughan, Ann Flood.
Players of the game: Collette McElligot (Leitrim) and Louise Fox (Cavan).
Monaghan 1-9, Stamford 0-2
Monaghan ladies had a good win over the newcomers Stamford.
Catherine Donohoe was first on the scoreboard for Monaghan with two points and a further point from Frances Brennan.
Stamford replied with two points from Catriona Brennan’s free kicks to leave the half time score. Monaghan 3 points to Stamford’s 2.
In the second half Monaghan got more in their stride dominating much of the half. They were awarded a penalty early in the half which Catherine Donohoe made no mistake in taking her goal. Further scores from Frances Brennan, Varina Carey and Sheila Frayne left no-one in any doubt about who would take the championship points.
Stamford, to give them credit, fought hard throughout the game and did not make Monaghan’s win easy.
While it wasn’t their day on the field, Stamford gave 100 percent effort and with great support will be a team to watch for as the championship continues.
Monaghan scorers: Catherine Donahoe (1-2) Frances Brennan (0-3) and Varina Carey (0-2), Sheila Frayne (0-2).
Stamford: Catriona Brennan (0-2).
Players of the game was Varina Carey (Monaghan), Catriona Brennan (Stamford).
Monaghan: Chris Gallagher, Kate McEntee, Catherine Flood, Deidre Gethins, Marie Flood, Dervil Carey, Breda McCrohan, Kelly McAnnelly, Maudy Lynn, Fiona Carbin, Varina Carey, Sandra Swinburne, Catherine Donohoe, Josie Kinsella, Denise Kennedy. Subs: Frances Brennan, Jackie Wood, Mags Galvin, Sheila Frayne.
Stamford: Fiona Sherlock, Fiona McGinnty, Sheila Brennan, Arvil Duggan, Margaret Carbon, Edel Sheridan, Orla Compton, Catriona Lynch, Emer O’Neill, Catriona Brennan, Kathleen Brennan, Brigid O’Brien, Gabriella McQuillan, Catriona Guilfoyle.
Mayo 0-11, Na Fianna 2-3
Mayo were hungry from the get go. Ellen McGrail was right there for the breaking ball, passed it on to Collette McGoldrick who sent a great ball over the bar for the first score of the game.
Na Fianna made a change the 7th minute of the game when Alison Lineen came on for Ann Murray. Lineen gets her first touch of the ball and sent it to Mary Touey who drove it to the left and wide.
Mayo keeper Christine Hurley kicked the ball out to Fiona Ward and she passed on to Joann McKenna who was fouled and given a free which she converted to a point.
Na Fianna got the ball back in the possession with Cathy Gavlin driving down the wing into the hands of Alison Lineen who tipped it off to Orla Doyle. She was fouled and took a quick free but it was stopped by Karen McClaffery who cleared it down the middle to Collette McGoldrick who put it over the bar.
Orla Doyle took the 50 yard free and scored a great point, seconds later Doyle was fouled again and got a free and once again put it over the bar.
Mayo had some good chances of getting some fine scores but the Na Fianna backline stood strong. Mary McEvoy got the ball and sent it down the middle to Lineen who took a shot. It landed in the hands of the keeper but she panicked and threw the ball in the square and this resulted in yet another penalty. Lineen stepped up and drove the ball in the back of the net.
Mayo’s Joann McKenna got a free and sent the ball over the bar for a fine point.
Caroline Conway took a shot at the goals and it slipped into the back of the net, bringing Na Fianna to level with Mayo in scores.
With just minutes left, the ball was driven down the line into the hands of Joann McKenna and she took a shot to put her side back in the lead again.
The Mayo keeper sent a fine ball out to the hands of Fiona Ward and she passed it on to Ellen McGrail who drove it over the bar as the final whistle blew.
Mayo scorers: Colette McGoldrick 0-3, Joann McKenna 0-7, Ellen McGrail 0-1.
Na Fianna: Alison Lineen 1-1, Orla Doyle 0-2, Caroline Conway-Bogue 1-0.
Player of the game: Christine Hurley (Mayo)
Player of the game for Na Fianna, Helena Campion