Fairgreen Ladies Senior Championship Semi Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 1-07 Milltown 4-07
Our Senior ladies’ quest for championship glory came to an end in Milltown last Saturday afternoon. The result was similar to the prior year with the Blues putting in a gallant effort but ultimately paying the price for a slow start. The match began with a point for either side, Bridgie Heslin was on target for the visitors with a placed ball. Heslin momentarily put the Saints in front with an excellent score. However, Milltown hit 3-02 in the space of five minutes which gave Ryan Jones’ charges a mountain to climb. Lucy McCartan and Ciara Blundell pointed for Lomans either side of a Sarah Dillon point for Milltown, before Bridgie Heslin’s free left eight points in it at the interval.
Despite the gargantuan task ahead of them Loman’s put in a very spirited display in the third quarter particularly. Lucy McCartan’s goal followed by two excellent points from Blundell and Heslin suddenly put three between the sides and a comeback looked on the cards. The Saints piled on the pressure and the Milltown crowd were quite anxious heading into the closing stages. The Blues committed players forward, looking to close the gap but the game opening left space for the Hosts who hit a late goal and two points through Kelly Boyce and Rachel Dillion. Rachel McKenna found the net for the Saints late on, but the officials ruled it out for a square ball, despite McKenna clearly staying outside the small square but ultimately it would only have been a consolation. The late flurry from Milltown put some gloss on a score line which didn’t do the Blues justice after they matched last year’s runners up for long periods of the match. Despite this Milltown were the better side on the day and are deserving of a county final place.
On the day there were many good performances for the Blues. Emma Galvin, Lara McCartan and Ellen Kilmurray performed well in defense. Lucy McCartan, Ciara Blundell were threats up front. Not to mention Julie McLaughlin who covered every blade of grass. Well done to our players for their dedication throughout the year. We have a very youthful team which shows a lot of promise and a thriving underage which will reap rewards in the coming years. Finally, a big thank you to the management team of Ryan Jones, Paul Leonard and Alan Graham who have devoted tremendous time and energy to the Girls this year. A semi-final at senior level caps off a great year for Ladies football in Lakepoint park, after finishing second in the under 14 championship and winning the under 16 championship.
Team; Fiona Keating, Emma Galvin, Muireann Scally, Lara McCartan, Shauna Traynor, Keelie Mulderry, Ellen Kilmurray, Vicky Carr, Megan Ennis, Rachel McKenna, Laura Newman, Lucy McCartan (1.01), Ciara Blundell (0.02), Bridgie Heslin (0.04, 0.02f), Julie McLaughlin. Subs used; Leona Archibold, Paige Matthews, Ella Daly, Emma Keena, Niamh McKenna, Sarah McManus.