TG4 All Ireland Championship:
For the first time in 18 years, Leitrim will play Championship football in September thanks to a one point win over Limerick on Sunday in the All Ireland quarter final. This was always going to be a difficult assignment for Leitrim as they faced opponents that they knew little about except from match results and reputation. On the day, Limerick were worthy opponents and had an exceptionally talented player in Dymphna O?Brien, who deservedly received player of the match for her efforts on behalf of the Shannonsiders. Leitrim were pre match favourites for the game thanks to their defeat of Sligo in the Provincial Final, however this tag did not sit comfortably with the Connacht champions. Leitrim started brightly with an early point to settle the nerves but they resurfaced almost immediately as O?Brien fired over three sublime points in a row. From then on, and despite enjoying plenty of possession, Leitrim could not get on top but continued to work hard. The tactic of deploying a second marker to curtail O?Briens influence settled the defence but inevitably caused problems up front where Limerick deployed their spare player. One point down at half time Leitrim were still well in contention and had the aid of a slight wind for the second period. Leitrim began to again enjoy plenty of possession but again found Scóring hard to come by but with ten minutes remaining it was all to play for with the sides level. There was stalemate for a number of minutes but on a counter attack Limerick scored what looked like a match winning goal as Leitrim dreams turned into a nightmare. Flashbacks to the National League final in May, same venue, and Munster opponents again where Clare dashed Leitrim hopes. However this time it was Leitrim that turned the tables. A perfectly flighted ball to the edge of the square, where Leitrims player of the match, Sarah McLoughlin timed her run to perfection and fisted to the net. Indeed Sarah?s high fielding throughout was a highlight of the game. Two and a half minutes remaining and level again. Then up stepped Maeve Quinn with fifty seconds remaining to fire over what proved to be the match winning score and Leitrim began to dream again. Well done to the panel of twenty seven players who have worked so hard on the training fields of the county to bring Leitrim to within one hour of reaching the All Ireland final. Their opponents in the semi final will be Cavan or Longford who play in Pearse Park next Sunday. The All Ireland semi final will be played on Saturday 9th September in Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon and will be televised live on TG4.

Sponsorship:
Leitrim county board would welcome any offers of sponsorship to help with the ongoing cost of preparing the team on their football journey this year. All enquiries to ChairpersonÓgeraldine Creamer at 086 3290256.

Supporters:
A special word of thanks again to the supporters who turned out in their numbers to support the team on Sunday. There are certainly getting excitement and value for money in the games played by the ladies this year ? your support was very much appreciated and we will be looking forward to evenÓgreater numbers in three weeks time.

Intermediate Championship Final:
Next Saturday evening the Intermediate Championship will be decided when Cloone play Kiltubrid at 7.00pm in Ballinamore. Having disposed of Annaduff, Bornacoola, St Josephs and finally Mohill, these two teams will undoubtedly serve up a great game of football for the final. Both teams will be confident of success and it is a difficult game to predict. Cloone?s challenge could be affected by the fitness of the Brennan sisters, Sinead and Lorraine who both picked up injuries on Sunday but will hopefully have recovered in time while Eileen Colreavy, and Aisling Brennan will also have big impact on the game. Kiltubrid will be looking to the form of players in young Aine Tighe and the more experienced Blaithin McKiernan, Miranda Burke, Emer Kelly and Emer Horan inÓgoal. A game not to be missed and best of luck to both teams and management. Admission to the game is Adults ?10 and Students ?5.

Senior B Championship:
Annaduff, Bornacoola, St Josephs, Glencar Manor, Ballinaglera and St Marys are this years participants in the Senior B Championship which gets underway on Friday evening with the first of the two quarter finals. St Josephs travel to Dromod to take on Bornacoola at 7.00pm. On form to date St Josephs should progress to the semi final. The second quarter final sees Annaduff play newly crowned Junior A champions Glencar Manor. This will be a very interesting clash and a repeat performance of their championship form a couple of weeks ago could see Glencar Manor progress. This game also takes place on Friday evening at 7.30pm and is provisionally fixed for Aughawillan

Division 3 League:
A result of a crucial game between Dromahair and Aughawillan may decide the finalists of the Division 3. This game will be played on Saturday afternoon.

Minor 9 a Side:
The first semi final of the championship taakes place between Kiltubrid and Aughawillan next Tuesday evening at venue and time to be confirmed.

Guess the score Competition:
The draw for the winner of the ?500 prize will take place at County training tonight and the result announced next week. There was no correct entry for the exact scoreline of 1-14 to 3-7 but seven entries are in the running for the prize. Congratulations to Niamh O?Malley from the St Josephs club who wins ?50 for selling the most entries.

Tommy Murphy Cup Final:
Best wished to Leitrim on Sunday next as they face Louth in Croke Park in the final. A great experience for the Leitrim team and a win would be well deserved for their efforts during the year.

 

 

22-Aug-06 by Patricia Bohan – Ladies PRO

Leitrim Ladies Minor Final

St Josephs 3-06 Glencar Manor 3-04

An incredible last five minutes decided the outcome of this absorbing minor final played in St Marys on Saturday evening when a goal from sub Sinead Cregan in the last seconds of the game broke Glencar Manor hearts to earn St Josephs the minor championship title for 2006. This was the second year in a row that Manor reached the final having lost last year after a replay with Kiltubrid. Both teams gave a great display of both attacking and defending and while each enjoyed periods of dominance, going into the final minutes it looked like Glencar Manor had done enough to add to their growing list of titles this year. However St Josephs great fightback to the final whistle earned them their first ever Minor Championship title with Creegan?s goal.

The early exchanges suggested a tight game in prospect with two evenly matched teams. St Josephs had the first two attacks of the game but Mary Poinard cleared the danger with the first while Phillipa Maguire hit a wide.The game was just four minutes old when Siobhan McCartan stepped up to take a 45. Her well struck shot dipped just under the crossbar for a goal despite the best efforts of Julie Kennedy in the Manor goals to give St Joseph?s the perfect start of a goal. Minutes later Manor had the chance to reply with another 45 but the shot tailed narrowly wide. A minute later Siobhan Feely, so influential in last weeks Junior Championship final scored Glencar Manors first point from play. A minute later Manor took the lead following a good pass from Feely to Lorriane Kelly who hit the back of the net. Manor began to enjoy a good spell of dominance at this stage and Michelle McNulty and Feely again were involved in a move that resulted in a good save by Lisa O Rourke. O Rourke was called into the action two minutes later and saved again from Natasha McEnroy. Midwat through the half Feely scored her second point, a great effort from play. However St Josephs responded immediately with a good Clare Owens pass to Carmel Monaghan but her effort onÓgoal was well saved by Kennedy who cleared the danger. Another wide was to follow by Monaghan before Phillipa Maguire hit a great effort over the bar from play. Clare Cullen and Mary Poinard made two vital interceptions to keep St Josephs from adding to their score before Maguire hit her second point from play to level the game with five minutes remaining. Glencar Manor launched another attack but McCartan dispossed Lorraine Kelly and launched a counter attack involving Maguire and eventually Monaghan who put St Josephs into the lead. Manor had a great opportunity to regain the lead with two minutes remaining following a good move involving Aisling Kerrigan, Natasha McEnroy and finally Siobhan Feely whose shot was again well saved by O?Rourke. The final action of the half resulted in another Monaghan point to leave St Josephs two points clear at the break on a scoreline of 1-04 to 1-02.

Glencar Manor had the first attack of the second half but Michelle McNulty hit her effort wide. McNulty had another opportunity two minutes later but O?Rourke was again alert to the danger. Catriona O?Hara hit another wide as Manor tried to reduce the deficit. With both defences putting severe pressure on the forwards, scores for both teams became difficult as Fionnuala Bohan, Siobhan McCartan and Elaine McGovern for St Josephs and Mary Poinard, Clare Cullen and Aisling Kerrigan for Glencar Manor closed and blocked at every opportunity. Andrea Kelly and Lorraine Moran had efforts for St Josephs wide before Monaghan increased St Jospehs lead with a fine point from play. Manor responded with a great pass from McNulty across the goal but Feely just failed to connect. But from the kickout McNulty hit another pass in to Natasha McEnroy who fisted to the net and it was game on again with fifteen minutes gone an the sides level. A minute later McEnroy was back in the action an hit a second goal with nine minutes remaining. Straight from the kickout Niamh Cleary passed to Feely who pointed from play. Feely was again in the acction a minute later when she beat three defenders to score the point of the game and Manor looked to be on the way to securing the title. However St Josephs were not finished and Clare Owens began to see more of the ball for St Josephs. She initiated a good passing move that almost resulted in a goal but the Manor defence blocked on the line. Phillipa Maguire won the clearance and Louise Maguire finished with a point to leave five between the teams. At the other end Feely was again into the action but O?Rourke saved. With two minutes remaining a great run up the field by centreback Fionnuala Bohan created problems for Manor and her pass to was finished to the net to leave the mininum between the teams. Owens was involved again almost immediately with a great run through the defence but was tackled well and her effort hit the bottom of the post and was cleared. Mary Poinard was called on to make a great catch as St Josephs came in search for an equaliser. Well into injury time now and Glencar Manor had one more attack as they tried to finish the game. A well worked move ended with Feely hitting the crossbar and from the resulting clearance St Josephs moved the ball down the field. Owens attacked down the left wing and her inch perfect pass to sub Sinead Creegan put her clear and she finished to the net with the last action of the game to earn St Joseph?s the title with two points to spare.

St Josephs: Lisa O?Rourke, Marina Gray, Elaine McGovern, Siobhan McCartan, Fionnuala Bohan, Olivia Reynolds, Phillipa Maguire, Nicola Kenny, Clare Owens Louise Maguire, Carmel Monaghan, Andrea Kelly, Danielle Smith Subs: Rachel Bohan, Sinead Creegan, Niamh Brennan, Lisa McDermott, Louise Mollaghan Lorraine Moran, Caroline O Rourke,Michelle McKiernan, Catherine Murray, Katie Moran, Aoife Williams

Glencar Manor: Julie Kennedy, Mary Poniard,Claire Cullen, Karen Connolly,Aisling Kerrigan, Catriona Ohara, Niamh Cleary, Michelle Mc Nulty, Aideen Loughlin, Mary Alice Maguire, Natasha Mc Enroy, Lorraine Kelly ,Siobhan Feely, Klara Mc Grisken Subs Eimear Killilea,Lynda Thompson, Annette Ferguson, Rhona Mc Sharry, Aisling Mitchell, Michelle O?Hagan, Jacinta Meehan.

Referee: Maeve Quinn

 

 

15-Aug-06 by Patricia Bohan