Loman's ladies win thrilling opening game

St Loman's 3-14, Mullingar Shamrocks 3-11

St Loman's Ladies opened up their championship campaign with a thrilling win against local rivals Mullingar Shamrocks on Thursday evening at Lakepoint Park.

Just three points separated the teams at the final whistle, after a brilliant end to end contest that swung the way of St Loman's, but Mullingar Shamrocks will look to bounce back quickly and appear capable of doing so.

St Loman's started the game brilliantly, Katie Kilmurray driving through the Shamrocks defence, before smashing the ball into the roof of the net, the perfect start for the ladies in Blue. Mullingar shamrocks got their first score minutes later. Good build up from Mairead Newman and Jemma Kelly, Jemma was fouled, with Anna Jones dispatching the resulting free between the posts.

Shamrocks went through the gears and got level with two points, Chloe Smullen raising a white flag, with Karen Hegarty getting the second, a brilliant effort from an acute angle. Anna Jones got two more quickfire points to put Shamrocks up by two, making it five unanswered scores. They led by 0-5 to 1-0.

On 15 minutes, Loman's ended their scoring drought, Ciara Blundell pointing a free before the same player scored a brilliant point, after being assisted by Annie Kilmurray. It was now a level game at Lakepoint Park.

Loman's continued their hot streak on 20 minutes: Bridget Heslin and Caoimhe Kilmurray combined and the ball ended up in the hands of Shannon Breslin. She split the posts to give them the lead. Loman's weren’t finished there, they ended the half strong, with a brilliant point from Katie Kilmurray and then a free from Ciara Blundell put them three points up.

Shamrocks got two vital scores just before half-time to interrupt the Loman's purple patch: Karen Hegarty drove through and pointed, preceding their first green flag of an exciting contest.

It was Karen that was at the heart of the action once more, her low drive finishing up in the bottom corner, giving Shamrocks a one-point lead at the break, 1-6 to 1-5.

EXCELLENT

Katie Kilmurray got the scoring started for Loman's in the second period: two pointed frees put them ahead before Karen Hegarty responded with a brilliantly taken free of her own to level up the game at 1-7 a piece. Loman's regained the lead through a point from Ellen Kilmurray and then they raised their second green flag.

It was brilliant play from Lara McCartan as she laid the ball off to Ciara Blundell: Ciara assisted Shannon Breslin and she buried the ball into the back of the net.

Shamrocks responded brilliantly to that setback, Anna Jones pointing a free, before Loman's went up the other end and pointed: Eileen Duffy assisted Caoimhe Kilmurray and she conveniently and accurately placed the ball between the posts.

It was 2-9 to 1-8 to Loman's, but Shamrocks were right back in the game when Holly McCormack finished to the net, after good work from Chloe Smullen and Karen Hegarty. There was now only a point between the sides.

Loman's stayed resolute and extended their lead through a pointed a free from Katie Kilmurray. Shamrocks instantly responded as Susanna Buckley scored an excellent point.

The game was now being played at a frantic pace, to the delight of the packed crowd in Lakepoint Park, 2-10 each with 25 minutes to play. Ciara Blundell cut inside and pointed for Loman’s to put them ahead, Shamrocks promptly responding through a brilliant point from Mairead Newman.

Loman's thought they had one hand on the points when they raised their third green flag, Shannon Breslin driving through the Shamrocks backs, and finishing to the net from close range.

They extended their lead to four points when a smart free was worked to Shannon Breslin and she pointed before Shamrocks found a route back into the contest: Anna Jones pouncing on a high ball and finishing to the net soccer style. Shamrocks were only down by a point as we headed into last 10 minutes. A really exciting finish ensued that would rival the drama in Croke Park on Sunday. There were great scores but also excellent defending: Katie Kilmurray with a brilliant intercept, before Shamrocks’ Michaela O’Connor produced a brilliant block to deny Shannon Breslin. Loman's got two late scores at a crucial time to clinch the victory in a brilliant local derby: Vicky Carr and Aileen Duffy getting the points to bring an action-packed contest to a close. Shamrocks will be back and will take many positives from this great game.

St Loman’s: Jane McKenna, Keelie Mulderry, Muireann Scally, Megan Ennis, Lara McCartan, Aileen Duffy (0-1), Aileen Duffy, Annie Kilmurray, Vicky Carr (0-1), Eileen Kilmurray (0-1), Caoimhe Kilmurray (0-1), Ciara Blundell (0-4; 2f), Bridget Heslin, Shannon Breslin (2-2), Katie Kilmurray (1-4; 0-2f). Subs: Shauna Traynor for Ellen Kilmurray (52 mins), Aoibhe Hogan for Bridget Heslin (41 mins).

Mullingar Shamrocks: Lauren McCormack, Melek Fagan, Siobhan O’Donnell, Annemarie O’Reilly, Chloe Swarbrigg, Mairead Newman (0-1), Susanna Buckley (0-1), Tara Fagan, Rachel Cheevers, Jenna Kelly, Karen Hegarty (1-4), Michaela O’Connor, Chloe Smullen (0-1), Anna Jones (1-4), Holly McCormack (1-0). Subs: Mia Gilligan for Jenna Kelly (40 mins), Roisin O’Toole for Holly McCormack (41 mins), Alison Bane for Rachel Cheevers (57 mins).

Referee: Mick Gordon (Shandonagh).

Player of the match

Katie Kilmurray (St Loman’s):

Brilliant performances on both teams, but Katie Kilmurray for St Loman’s gets the nod after a brilliant performance that yielded 1-4. A very honourable mention to Karen Hegarty for Shamrocks, outstanding on the day.