Ladies Senior Football: Boston Shamrocks v Tir na nOg

Boston Shamrocks 3-6 Tir na nOg 0-9

Boston Shamrocks are continuing from where they left off after winning the Orla Benson Cup in June and made it two wins from two games in the Ladies senior football championship last Sunday.  The Cup winners tallied three goals, and could afford to miss a penalty, to propel themselves to victory.  

The Shamrocks took another step in the quest for their first senior championship since 2010.

The first half was well contested and at the break the Shamrocks held a two point lead, though truth be told it should have been more.  The Shamrocks took some time to find their shooting touch and several chances went awry.  Points did come from Mairead O’Driscoll, Rebecca Mongan, and Sharon McGovern, and a goal from Caoimhe Murray ensured that the Shamrocks took the break with the lead.  Tir na nOg kept themselves very much in the game thanks in large part to the accurate free taking of Chloe Ryan.
  
The second half saw Tir na nOg dig in and batten down the hatches.  Maggie Sayers and Christine O’Neill did well in the half back line, and Tir na nOg pulled within a point after Niamh Crowe and Ryan had pointed.  However, with things beginning to look like there would be a close finish in store, the Shamrocks hit with a goal from Maria Bannon who came on as a sub, and the score took some of the wind out of the sails of the Brighton team.  A penalty could have provided the Shamrocks with a sure victory well before the final whistle, but Niamh Hynes was up to the shot and saved well.

The Shamrocks, however, gained in confidence and took control of affairs.  The back line did well to stop Tir na nOg attacking forays, with Brittany Maguire, Cathy McEleaney and Ciara McCormack doing particularly well.  Points were added from Aisling Cunningham and Kiernan to see the Shamrocks to the top of the table.

By Rory O'Donnell