June 30 - Ladies Senior Football: Tir na nOg v Boston Shamrocks

Tír na nÓg 3-7 Boston Shamrocks 4-10

Boston Shamrocks recorded their first win in the Ladies football championship over a Tír na nÓg side that battled hard but were one step behind their opponents for most of the game.  The Shamrocks got great performances from Sharon McGovern who in the second half mopped up a lot in the middle of the field, Clodagh McGovern up front, and Hazel Kingham in the middle of the field.  Caroline Nee and Sinead Bannon tried to lead their side to a late rally but the Shamrocks were good value for the 6 point win in the end.

Jackie Moran Shoots...

After trading points the Boston Shamrocks took the initiative with a goal from Clodagh "Mango" McGovern.  Kingham's low shot was saved by Fiona Gohery, but McGovern was quick to the rebound and managed to get her left foot to force the ball over the line.  Shamrocks followed with three points on the trot from Kingham, Sharon McGovern, and Clodagh McGovern.  Tír na nÓg needed a lift and they got it from Caroline Nee who took her side on her shoulders.  Nee pointed twice, once from a free and was involved in a third that was scored by Christine Kelly.  Then Nee turned in a shot from Kiara Brogan to propel her side into a one point lead.  The Shamrocks had the answer however.  At the other end it was Clodagh McGovern doing the damage.  McGovern found Rebecca Kelly with a pass and Kelly netted from 14 yards.  The Waterford native was then pulled down for a penalty that was slotted home by Kingham, and the Shamrocks once again had the initiative.  As Tír na nÓg pressed for something before the break Edel McGovern stood solid in the middle of defence to prevent a further score.  At the break it was 3-4 to 1-5 in the Shamrocks favour.

...but Edel McGovern bursts out of defence.

The Shamrocks added to their lead to get matters going after the break.  Rebecca Kelly, Sinead Woods, and Kingham extended the gap to 8 points.  The Shamrocks continued to keep the opposition forward line quiet, Brittany Lockwood in particular doing well at corner back, and played the ball well out of defence.  Sharon McGovern played a deeper role and left two corner forwards for the Shamrocks to target.  But there was life in Tír na nÓg yet.  Maggie Sayers and Nee pointed for the Brighton team before Jackie Moran struck with a goal.  Immediately afterwards Nee was pulled down in the penalty area and expertly put the spot kick away herself to reduce the deficit to 5 points with time still on the clock.  Woods restored the Shamrocks lead to six, and there was no more time for a late comeback.  Two points for the Shamrocks while Tír na nÓg to face Connacht Ladies in their next outing.

Tír na nÓg:  F. Gohery, N. O'Neill, A. O'Leary, C. Hanley, K. Coombes, J. Davoran, M. Murphy, K. Brogan, J. Brady (0-1), S. Bannon, J. Moran (1-1), C. Nee (2-3), E. Kasey, C. Kelly (0-1), M. Sayers (0-1).  Shamrocks:  A. Cross, B. Lockwood, E, McGovern, L. Quinn, F. Considine, R. McHugh, O. Cullinan, S. Carroll, H. Kingham (0-4), K. Scanlon, R. Kelly (1-1), L. O'Brien, C. McGovern (2-1), S. Woods (0-2), S. McGovern (0-1).

By Rory O'Donnell