St Loman’s strong as Rochfortbridge downed in ladies semi-final

Caoimhe Kilmurray hit 1-3 in a stellar performance for St Loman’s as Ciarán Kilmurray’s team made it back to the senior ladies’ decider after victory over St Mary’s Rochfortbridge in Ballynacargy GAA last Sunday afternoon. A fantastic display of structured defence and pacey attack allowed the girls in blue to find scores in both halves to overcome a determined but second-best St Mary’s on the day.

A score from Katie Kilmurray, daughter of bainisteoir Ciarán, was the first point of the game for either side just after the fifth minute, swiftly followed by a second from fellow forward, Lucy McCartan. Lomans were on the up and were it not for a spectacular save from Keira Kelly in the Rochfortbridge goal, the first green flag would have been raised. Realising the threats coming from all angles, the Bridge sideline made early swaps in personnel and tactics.

Further scores in the opening quarter from Caoimhe Kilmurray (two) were then followed by three from Katie Kilmurray (two from frees) and a fantastic point from Vicky Carr. Rochfortbridge, to their credit, did make every attempt to break through the blue barrier but relied on frees. Their first score of the game came just before the breakthrough Amy Cully’s well-taken free. No sooner had the score been registered than Lomans had the ball in the net at the other end. Quick hands from Ciara Blundell, Lucy McCartan, and Vicky Carr ended with Evie Kilmurray slotting to the net, giving Kelly no chance in the goals. At the break, Lomans were in control, 1-9 to 0-1.

Unfortunately, the game was incredibly stop-start, and the flow was interrupted constantly by frees being awarded as the referee was very consistent on the non-contact of any kind, leading to a lot of ticks and frustrations. St Mary’s gave a much better account of themselves after the restart, but although they did hit more scores than Lomans, the lack of goals ensured they never really got their foot in the game as a contest. A brilliant score from Emma Collins got the ball rolling but the loss of forward, Lisa Cully, through injury soon after really dampened their attacking intent. A superb save from Jane McKenna for Lomans kept Amy Cully out but Cully did get another point from a free as the rain descended.

Vicky Carr and Cully (free) exchanged points as Caoimhe Kilmurray was sent to the bin for Lomans. Substitute Orla Collins pointed for the Bridge after winning a Loman’s kickout before midfielder, Aoife Kilcoyne, also found her range to make it 1-10 to 0-6. That was as close as things got for the Bridge as a rocket of a goal from Caoimhe Kilmurray and a tap-in for substitute Aileen Duffy, secured the win. St Mary’s finished the game with only 13

Players such as Fiona Coyle and Emma Collins were both shown yellow near the end. A late free from Katie Kilmurray almost found the net, but the crossbar kept her out. Clinical from St Loman’s as they march on to the final against Milltown.

Scorers – St Loman’s: C Kilmurray 1-3, K Kilmurray 0-4 (3f), Evie Kilmurray, A Duffy 1-0 each, V Carr 0-2, Lucy McCartan, C Blundell 0-1 each

St Mary’s Rochfortbridge: A Cully 0-3f, E Collins, A Kilcoyne, O Collins 0-1 each

St Loman’s: Jane McKenna; Lara McCartan, Ella Daly, Eimear Doonan; Shauna Traynor, Shannon Breslin, Ellen Kilmurray; Caoimhe Kilmurray, Vicky Carr; Annie Kilmurray, Lucy McCartan, Ciara Blundell; Sandra McGrath, Evie Kilmurray, Katie Kilmurray. Subs used: Aileen Duffy for Evie Kilmurray (44), Megan Ennis for Daly (52), Eleanor Corcoran for Annie Kilmurray (60).

St Mary’s Rochfortbridge: Keira Kelly; Dawn Wallace, Aoife Moran, Lucy Brogan; Michaela Brady, Fiona Coyle, Niamh Carey; Niamh McDermott, Aoife Kilcoyne; Ava Balfe, Emma Collins, Amy Cully; Aoibhinn Berry, Nicola Judge, Lisa Cully. Subs used: Orla Collins for Moran (10), Elizabeth Carey for L Cully (inj., 34), Catríona Dunne for Brady (42), Jen Whelehan for Berry (49), Jenny Judge for N Judge (52).

Referee: John Gallagher (Athlone)