Boston Shamrocks 3-13 Connacht Ladies 2-8
Boston Shamrocks are now just one win away from retaining
the Boston Northeast Ladies Senior Football Championship. The reigning champions had to work harder for
this win than last time out, and but for a fortunate goal early in the second
half, it would have been a much closer affair.
Connacht will take solace from their much improved performance and have
something to build on heading into the third game between the teams, a game
they have to win to keep the championship alive.
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| Boston Shamrocks are one game away. |
The Shamrocks built an early lead and in the first 15
minutes had the edge in pretty much every area of the field. The back line was first to every ball, while
the forwards were quick and agile, and kept the pressure on the Connacht Ladies
back line. After Jane Ward had opened
the account for Connacht Ladies with a point, it was all Shamrocks. Four points came from Shelly Toohig, Sarah
Jane McDonald, Ciara McGuigan, and Shannon Mullen as every forward was involved
in Shamrocks forays forward. The
Shamrocks bombarded the Connacht goal, and there were plenty of chances that
dropped short or went the outside of the posts before McDonald netted from an
acute angle. A lead of 1-4 to 0-1 could
have been more.
 |
| A better performance from Connacht Ladies |
After the Shamrocks tagged another three points following
some good work in defence from Cathy McEleaney, Connacht Ladies enjoyed a spell
on top and perhaps realized that they could compete with their opponents. The defence worked hard to put a stop to the
Shamrocks rampant forward line. Hayley
Kilgallen, Niamh Sheridan, Catherine Boyle and Aisling Egan stepped in on
several occasions to cut out some Shamrocks attacks. The good work was rewarded with a goal from
Jane Ward after Shauna Garvin supplied the final pass. Additional points from Kelly Harris, who
looked a major threat, cut the gap between the teams to four points. Just before the break Eaodain Connolly’s
point made it a 1-8 to 1-3 score.
A goal 10 minutes into the second half knocked the wind out
of the Connacht efforts. The Shamrocks
had added to lead to the tune of 2 points.
With the challengers having lifted their efforts to try and further cut
the gap, a handful of misses was the end result for them. The Shamrocks won a free about 35 yards from
goal and the high, arcing ball, dropped into the back of the net. This was followed by another 3 pointer from a
penalty. McDonald was pulled down in the
box as she bore down on goal and the kick was effectively dispatched by
McGuigan.
In credit to the westerners, they responded with raising
their efforts again. This time it was a
four point brace with Harris showing well at corner forward. Connacht’s Aisling Kerr, Harris, and Ward
pointed. A goal – or two – would be
needed to rattle the Shamrocks heading into the final 10 minutes, but Sinead
Hession was steady on the line for the Shamrocks. Some searching balls into the box were well
dealt with by the keeper. A late goal
Harris for Connacht was deserved for their efforts, and put some gloss on the
scoreboard, but will give encouragement to try and take a game in this series
next time out.
Shamrocks: Sinead
Hession, Cathy McElaeney, Ciara McCormack, Louise Kiernan, Kayla Farrer, Nicole
Byrne, Jade O’Donnell, Shannon Mullen, Shelly Toohig, Laura Kiernan, Eoadain
Connolly, Ellie Kennedy, Sarah Jane McDonald, Ciara McGuigan, Rebecca Mongan.
Connacht: Jackie
McDonagh, Shannon Mullen, Honor Ennis, Hayley Kilgallen, Catherine Boyle, Niamh
Sheridan, Niamh Hynes, Aisling Egan, Aideen Fuller, Shauna Garvin, Maria Kelly,
Jane Ward, Kelly Harris, Ellie Lane, Siofra Cleary.
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