Core and Monaghan lead impressive Killucan to the knock-out stages

Killucan 5-11, Coralstown/Kinnegad 2-13

An impressive first-half display laid the platform for a resounding Killucan victory over neighbours Coralstown/Kinnegad, in the Westmeath Ladies senior football championship at Kinnegad on Thursday evening.

Conditions were difficult with rain making for a greasy surface and putting added pressure on control and Killucan, more experienced at this grade, coped better. They put together some nice patterns of play, moving the ball much slicker and two goals in the opening quarter gave them a commanding lead before the home side could get off the mark.

Full-forward Meadbh Monaghan got the first goal on four minutes, her shot dropping to the net through the hands of opposing ‘keeper Jenny Doyle, while Hannah Core darted through to score the second after 13 minutes, her neat shot with the outside of the foot finding the bottom corner.

Coralstown/Kinnegad had earlier failed to exploit some decent openings, but they then scored 1-2 in a nine-minute spell. Kiara Giles notched a brace of frees and Sarah O’Sullivan finished to the net when the ball was played through and she slipped past the last line of the Killucan defence.

However, Killucan readjusted and established firm control again in the 24th minute when Aoife O’Malley and Amelia Shaw exchanged passes before the ball was fed to Sian Weir-Hall, who found the net with a powerful shot that skimmed the underside of the crossbar. Despite a fine Sarah O’Sullivan point - after a one-two with Emer Fogarty - Killucan scored a fourth goal before the break.

A costly defensive error led to Hannah Core being fouled in the square and Meadbh Monaghan produced a fine finish to find the net. Although Kiara Giles added two further points from frees, Coralstown/Kinnegad faced a massive task at half-time, trailing by 12 points, 4-8 to 1-5.

Ella Cooney’s fine point immediately after the restart suggested the home side could make a spirited fightback. And when Killucan lost midfielder Cathy Doyle to a 10-minute spell in the sin-bin, it further enhanced their chances. However, the reds could muster just a point in that period, Chloe Carney booting over after Lucy Cassidy and Claire Taaffe combined.

They added two further scores via Kiara Giles (free) and Chloe Carney, but the concession of a fifth goal in the 44th minute dashed any hopes of a recovery. Killucan were ruthless, Amelia Shaw finding Meadbh Monaghan who produced a great finish to the roof of the net.

Coralstown/Kinnegad continued to show resolve and got 1-4 in the final 11 minutes. Kiara Giles shot over three frees, while Chloe Carney pointed. In added time, Kiara Giles’ wonderful pass found Lucy Cassidy in space and her lobbed finish found the top corner of the net.

The industrious Hannah Core ensured Killucan kept the score board ticking over, though, with a late point and the result was never in doubt. Killucan progressed to the knock-out stages and will aim to build on a positive campaign thus far, while for Coralstown/Kinnegad, the championship journey has ended for another season.

Scorers - Killucan: M Monaghan 3-6 (0-4f; 1-0 pen.), H Core 1-5, S Weir-Hall 1-0.

Coralstown/Kinnegad: K Giles 0-8 (8f), S O’Sullivan 1-1, L Cassidy 1-0, C Carney 0-3, E Cooney 0-1.

Killucan: Laura Doyle; Caoimhe Brady, Hannah Borthwich, Michelle Doyle; Aisling Doyle, Caoimhe McCrossan, Erin Core; Cathay Doyle, Aoife O’Malley; Orla Quinn, Amelia Shaw, Ellen Shaw; Hannah Core, Meadbh Monaghan, Sian Weir-Hall

Subs: Faye Dunne for C McCrossan (h-t), Aoibhinn Kennedy for C Doyle (41), Rebecca O’Neill for H Borthwick (54).

Coralstown/Kinnegad: Jenny Doyle; Áine Brannock, Amie Giles, Maeve Walsh; Niamh Farrell, Tori Coyne, Claire Taaffe; Shannon Lyons, Aileen Murtagh; Ella Cooney, Emer Fogarty, Sarah O’Sullivan; Chloe Carney, Kiara Giles, Andrea Goggins

Subs: Marie Cooney for A Brannock (h-t), Lucy Cassidy for E Cooney (36), Donna Kiernan for N Farrell (56), Aoife McGrath for A Goggins (56), Tally Claffey for M Walsh (58).

Ref: Kenneth Gunning (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge).