Sunday Aug 4 - Ladies Senior Football: Tír na nÓg v Boston Shamrocks

Tír na nÓg 3-7 Boston Shamrocks 4-10

The Shamrocks booked a place in the Ladies final with what turned out to be a comfortable win over rivals, Tír na nÓg.  The Brighton side led at the break, but in the second half the Shamrocks turned it around with 3 goals to secure second place and a date in the final against Connacht Ladies in 3 weeks time.

Tir na nOg took the game to the Shamrocks
in the first half.

Tír na Óg held the edge the end of the first 30 minutes thanks to a Katie Coombes goal just before half time.  Coombes shot from distance sneaked over the head of Kathleen Rohan and broke what was a tight game up to that point.  The Brighton girls worked very hard and looked a little sharper going forward.  Points from Maggie Sayers, Katie Crozier, and Christine Kelly went over the bar.  The Shamrocks kept battling however and pointed through Kelly Mullen and Rebecca Kelly.  With the game tied, Clodagh McGovern's shot hit the underside of the crossbar and was adjudged to the crossed the line for a Shamrock's goal.  It looked like that may have been the trigger for the Shamrocks to break open the game  Tír na nÓg answered right away however.  A goal from the industrious Caroline Nee answered the Shamrocks, and then came Coombes effort just before the break.

Sharon McGovern turns upfield.

With their season on the line, Tír na nÓg battled hard to keep it alive.  Tír na nÓg saw their lead evaporate 10 minutes into the second half.  McGovern, Woods, and Mullen pointed for the Shamrocks.  Then came the first of the three goals for the green and gold.  Catriona McGinley who came on as a sub fed Woods who finished well.  A second came shortly afterwards from Mullen and the Shamrocks were 4 points to the good.  Nee and Bannon had pointed for Tír na nÓg.  Things got interesting after Maggie Sayers netted for the Brighton side, but the Shamrocks finished the game strong.  McGinley restored the lead with goal number 3, and two points from McGovern and Mullen secured the victory.  The Shamrocks get a third crack at Connacht Ladies, this time for the big one.

Tir na nOg:  F. Gohery, N. O'Neill, A. O'Leary, C. Hanley, K. Coombes (1-0), L. Brick, M. Murphy, K. Brogan, M. Sayers (1-1), C. Nee (1-1), J. Moran, S. Bannon (0-1), K. Crozier (0-1), C. Kelly (0-3), E. Kasey.  Shamrocks:  K. Rohan, B. Lockwood, L. Larkin, L. Quinn, R. McHugh, A. McDonnell, E. McGovern, S. Carroll, S. Mullen, E. King, S. McGovern, K. Mullen (1-5), C. McGovern (1-3), S. Woods (1-1), R. Kelly (0-1).  Sub: C. McGinley (1-0).

By Rory O'Donnell