Senior Ladies Show Steel in the Storm and Progress to the Semis

Andersonstown Social Club

Ladies Junior Championship ¼ Final.

 St.Joseph’s Glenavy 3.15 v 3.10 St.Ergnat’s Moneyglass

When the teams arrived at 5.30pm they landed into a thunder shower and it was doubtful whether the game would take place. The rain eased and by the time the game started the pitch was just about playable. With a wet pitch the ladies from both sides deserve great credit for the standard of football served up. We were treated to thirty one scores and the strength of the goalposts tested on no less than eight times the attacks were on top.

The visitors opened the scoring with a well taken point from Alicia Boyd. With a quick reply Ellen Morgan had the with sides’ level. With perfect handling of the wet ball Moneyglass players worked the ball from defence until it reached Mona O’Neill who gave Orlagh Mullin in the home net no chance. Once again the talented Ellen Morgan showed all her class as she split the posts. The visiting spectators were then treated to vintage Moneyglass football when their impressive full forward Martine McCann landed two beauties between the uprights. Niamh Moran added a point to leave her side five in front. Ellen Morgan the raised the white flag with a pointed free from an acute angle.

With the water draining from the pitch the players were beginning to find it easier to find their teammates with passes. Aoife Kelly intercepted a Glenavy pass and quickly laid off the ball to Alicia McCann who found Niamh Moran who calmly stroked the ball to the net to leave the score 0.03 v 2.04 in the Marian Hill side’s favour.

It was water break time and as so often happens in games the losing team is able to regroup. On restart it was obvious the Hill side’s defence were told to mark tighter. The impressive Cathy Scannell broke up an attack and the ball was worked in to Grainne McLoughlin landed two points the second was a gem as she was under severe pressure bur still managed to clear to clear the black spot. Anna McStravick finished a great run as she found the range with an excellent point to leave four between the sides.

Back came the side in blue with a real team goal with the ball worked from defence into attack with the ball reaching Martine McCann who left the defence in her wake as she found the corner of the net. Once again we had a comeback from the Orange Ladies as Grainne McLoughlin pointed and Ellen Morgan made no mistake from the dead ball. Halftime score Glenavy 0.08 v 3.04 Moneyglass.

The second half started with the Toome side going on an all out attack and had added four points in a five minute spell. Beverley Graffin, Martine McCann, Sarah McCann and a pointed free from the impressive Martine McCann which left the score 3.08 v 0.08 in their favour. With what looked like an impossible deficit the home side got a lifeline when Grainne McLoughlin fired a ball across the goals and was deflected by a defender to the net. Once again Martine McCann was a thorn to her marker’s side when she fired over the bar.

In the next ten minutes the game turned completely with the home support behind them and to their credit the girls dug deep and scored 1.6 without reply to close the gap to three. Grainne McLoughlin added two points and not to be outdone Ellen Morgan clipped in with a goal and two points.

Once again the water break came and it seemed to rejuvenate the Marian Hill side as they added two quick points to extend their lead to five.  Hard working midfielder Anna Mulholland was rewarded when she broke through for a well earned point. With time closing in the home side put in one last effort and were rewarded with points from Eva Caffola, Orlaigh McLeod and Grainne McLoughlin. Fighting to the death Moneyglass added points from Niamh McKeefry and Niamh McCann.

Leading by two points going into time added on with one last push the Chapel Hill side sealed the win when that young lady Ellen Morgan found the net. To the relief of the team, management and supporters Brendan Toland blew his final whistle with the score Glenavy 3.15 v 3.10 Moneyglass.

I know the scorers always get the headlines but on this occasion every player on both sides deserve a medal for the entertainment they gave in unfavourable condition. A word of praise also to referee Brendan Toland who let the game flow but kept control at all times.

We wish St. Joseph’s good luck in their semifinal against St. Paul’s and St.Ergnat’s  good luck in their senior championship game .

St.Joseph’s: Orlaigh Mullan; Mary McStravick; Niamh Bradley; Michelle Gregory; Natasha  O’Neill; Cathy Scannell; Bronagh Forester ( Orlaigh McAlister); Eva Cafolla; Anna Mulholland; Anna McStravick; Grainne McLoughlin; Megan McGarry; Ciara McCorry (Grainne Fallon) Ellen Morgan; Orlaigh McLeod.

Subs not used Maeve Hamill and Eve McCartney.

St.Ergnat’s E. McCoy; O. Carey; S. McGrain; A. Kelly; J. McKay; D. Connolly; J. McCay; S. McCann; A. McAuley; M. O’Neill; N. Moran; B. Graffin; M. McCann; N. McKeefry

Referee: Brendan Toland, Lamh Dhearg..