Collins goal crucial as St Mary’s reach semi-final

St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 1-12, Killucan 1-6

In a tense confrontation game that hung in the balance for 50 minutes, St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge finally found their shooting boots and kicked onto the semi-final of the Westmeath ladies SFC, at Kinnegad GAA grounds last Thursday evening.

To break this game down, it was mostly a stand-off with both sides threatening, but neither side implemented dominance for a period of time. St Mary’s started off like a team on a mission and threatened to put Killucan to the sword. They had all the possession and they were moving at pace and intensity, but all they had to show for it was an Orla Collins score after the first 20 minutes. They looked the better side, but shot four early wides and were not effective on the scoreboard. But all the credit has to go to Killucan as their tackling and hunting down of opponents off the ball was the main reason St Mary’s hadn’t put daylight between the sides in this first-quarter.

Then Killucan themselves got some badly needed possession and their marquee player inside Meadbh Monaghan kicked three scores without reply. Killucan had not only shown they were willing to work off the ball against their more powerful opposition, but they were also efficient when in possession. Killucan didn’t just pop over three scores in three attacks, they also rattled St Mary’s with a goal. Orla Quinn was the scorer, after Hannah Core’s attempt had come back off the post.

Killucan led by 1-3 to 0-1 after 20 minutes and they registered had no wide in the first half. St Mary’s were rattled, not just by the Quinn goal or the sheer intensity of Killucan’s tackling, but they also lost Ava Balfe to the sin bin. However, credit to the Rochfortbridge side, they gradually got back their bearings.

Scores from Niamh McDermott, Emma Collins and a brace from Lisa Cully cut the arrears to the bare minimum at the break. At half-time Killucan led by 1-4 to 0-6.

After the resumption the game became a stand-off. Neither side could shoot, not accurately anyway; both sides left everything on the surface, their sheer work rate in support for each other impressive. Nothing was given or asked. There was just the one score from each team in the first 20 minutes of the second half. The hard working McDermott levelled the game in the 38th minute and that woman Monaghan again kicked Killucan back into the ascendancy from a free.

Killucan somehow, mainly through pure effort, were still leading with less than 10 minutes remaining. But then St Mary’s finally started to find some rhythm and helped by the introduction of substitutions, they found the target and pushed on for the win. Emma Collins was impeded as she headed for goal and the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Emma Collins dusted herself down and put away the spot kick with aplomb. That goal was the decisive score.

Further points from Brick (three frees), an inspiring score from centre half back Fiona Coyle, and then Aoibheann Berry added to the lead. St Mary’s were the better team from the opening moments, but it was only in the closing moments that they finally managed to shake off a determined Killucan side.

Killucan did produce one last hurrah and they had a number of shots to get a late goal, but somehow the St Mary’s defence held out. St Mary’s will benefit from this game, they won't meet many sides with the tackling tenacity of Killucan and they look a side that are more than capable of winning the championship. They play at pace and are direct, but their efficiency in front of goal needs improving.

Scorers - St Mary’s E Collins 1-1 (1 pen, 1 free), M Brick 0-4 (3f), N McDermott 0-2, L Cully 0-2 (1f), O Collins, A Kilcoyne and F Coyle 0-1 each.

Killucan: M Monaghan 0-5 (4f), O Quinn 1-0, H Core 0-1.

St Mary’s: Kiera Kelly, Rebecca Nolan, Dawn Walsh, Lucy Brogan, Jen Whelehan, Fiona Coyle, Niamh Carey, Niamh McDermott, Aoife Kilcoyne, Ava Balfe, Emma Collins, Orla Collins, Aoibheann Berry, Nichols Judge, Lisa Cully. Subs used: Kacey Geoghegan, Megan Brick, Ayesha Roche, Aoife Moran.

Killucan: Laura Doyle, Caoimhe Brady, Hannah Borthwick, Michelle Doyle, Aisling Doyle, Caoimhe McCrossan, Erin Core, Cathy Doyle, Aoife O’Malley, Orla Quinn, Amelia Shaw, Ellen Shaw, Hannah Core, Meadbh Monaghan, Sian Weir-Hall. Subs used: Faye Dunne, Rebecca O’Neill.

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Milltown).