Ladies Senior Football: Shamrocks Book Place in Final

Boston Shamrocks 3-15 Tir na nOg 0-6

The Shamrocks underlined their championship credentials with a comprehensive win over current champions, Tir na nOg.  The game was close until the last 5 minutes of the first half when a double strike put the Shamrocks in pole position, and the ladies in the green shirts pulled away in the second period

Linda Cronin tries to shake
Caroline Hanley's challenge.

The first 25 minutes were close as Tir na nOg hung tight with their opponents, but the tide turned decisively in the final minutes of the first half with two goals.  The goals came with the score finely balanced at four points to two.  The first came from the boot of Linda Cronin who finished a lovely move from close range.  The second was Sarah Cunningham who was found with a great cross-field pass by Sharon McGovern.  Cunningham finished well and the Shamrocks lead was eight points.  Cunningham followed up with a point and it was 2-6 to 0-2 for the Shamrocks at the break. 

Orla Heavey points a free.

Tir na nOg opened the second half brightly and generated some good moves.  Noelle Healy popped over two well earned points.  However, the Shamrocks came motoring back.  Mary Cronin and Orla Heavey put a couple of fine points over the bar.  Denise Hallissey then got on the scorecard from corner back, and the icing was put on the win with a superb goal from Mary Cronin.  Ciara Hegarty played a deft pass over the top of the defence and Cronin finished with a brilliant strike from a tight angle.  The Shamrocks continued to add to the tally, Sharon McGovern and Hegarty added a couple more as their team drove forward.  Tir na nOg had a chance at a consolation goal with the final kick of the game – a penalty.  But the kick was low and wide, as if to underline their afternoon.  The Shamrocks are in pole position to get the bye into the final with the win.

Shamrocks:  L. Beehan, D. Hallissey, B. Gallagher, S. McMahon, A. McDonald, E. McGovern, N. Lonergan, A. Smith, O. Heavey, S. McGovern, L. Cronin, S. Cunningham, C. McGovern, C. Hegarty, M. Cronin.  Tir na nOg:  A. O’Neill, N. O’Neill, L. Brick, K. Coombs, N. Daly, P. Greene, C. Mullin, C. Keoghegan, A. Connolly, N. Healy, L. Keogh, C. Hanley, S. Walshe, S. Bannon, E. Power.

By Rory O'Donnell