St Joseph's goal-scoring strength ensures winning start

St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge enjoyed a fine victory over St Finian’s College, Mullingar, in the Westmeath Post Primary Schools second year ladies football competition on Thursday, at Dovida Lakepoint Park.

Displaying great movement and skill, the Rochfortbridge side held the edge over their Mullingar opponents, with four second half goals ensuring they took the spoils in this first-round encounter. St Finian’s showed fine battling qualities but they were always chasing a superior opponent in this all-Westmeath encounter.

At half-time, St Joseph’s SS were leading by 3-8 to 0-6. They made the better start and in full-forward Muireann Caffrey, they had a very capable footballer who had the St Finian’s defence scrambling. A goals came via this source, while Ava Carroll in the inside forward line also found the net.

Lucy Lovett at corner-forward was slick and evasive, scoring another major as the St Joseph’s side took firm control. Wing-forward Shayna Mitchell, Lovett and corner-forward Ava Carroll were on target for minors at different stages.

St Finian’s kept in touch and Lucy Kilmurray was their leading light in attack, quick and displaying good control on the ball. Three points kept her side in contention at different times in the opening half, while midfielders Alice Gilsenan and Ellie Kelleghan were also on target. Anna Dunleavy at full-forward notched a point for the Mullingar girls also in what was a tough assignment against a well-drilled opposition.

St Joseph's began the second half well and an early point from Lucy Lovett had them further ahead on the score board. St Finian’s then had a decent spell. Lucy Kilmurray set up full-forward Anna Dunleavy for a chance and while Eva Roca had made an initial save, Anna finished to the net in the follow-up.

A fine move involving midfielder Alice Gilsenan, Anna Dunleavy, Holly Short and Lucy Kilmurray led to the latter pointing. It was now 3-9 to 1-7 and St Joseph’s had to be wary.

A good response duly arrived, however. Liadáin Gavin, excellent at wing-forward, broke clear to score a goal and she then set up Ava Lily Carroll for a point. Lola Adewale, introduced to the attack in the second half, added a minor.

Excellent work by Lucy Kilmurray saw her combine with Anna Dunleavy before scoring a point for St Finian’s, who were now about to capitulate. St Joseph’s had the strong forward division and Muireann Caffrey produced a powerful finish to find the net with 11 minutes remaining, putting her side well in control again.

Muireann soon followed with another major and Naomi Geoghegan in the St Finian’s goal had to produce a good save to deny Muireann another goal. Fine work by midfielder Caoimhe Flynn led to her cutting through the cover to score a goal for St Joseph’s, who were pushing well clear.

In the final minute, Lola Adewale got her second point of the half and that put the seal on a fine victory for St Joseph’s SS, whose strength in attack was a key factor on the day. Final score: St Joseph's SS 7-11, St Finian's College 1-9.

Scorers - St Joseph’s SS: M Caffrey 3-5, L Lovett 1-2, A Carroll 1-1, L Gavin 1-0, L Adewale 0-2, C Flynn 1-0, S Mitchell 0-1.

St Finian’s: L Kilmurray 0-6, A Dunleavy 1-1, A Gilsenan 0-1, E Kelleghan 0-1.

St Joseph’s SS: Eva Roca; Millie Duignan, Claire Murtagh, Bronagh McKeogh; Maebh Connaughton, Sophie McCloskey, Lauren Fennessy; Caoimhe Flynn, Kelsie McCormack; Shayna Mitchell, Ava Lily Carroll, Liadáin Gavin; Lucy Lovett, Muireann Caffrey, Ava Carroll. Subs used: Lola Adewale, Orla Pelly, Sofia Culbert, Zoe Cogan, Evie McCabe.

St Finian’s: Naomi Geoghegan; Cara Murphy, Isabelle Wright, Alice Geelon; Jodie Neary, Molly Kelly, Mary Kate Gilbert; Ellie Kelleghan, Alice Gilsenan; Holly Short, Lucy Kilmurray, Lucy Carey; Amy Smyth, Anna Dunleavy, Caoimhe Heduvan. Subs used: Zoe Leavy, Lucy Mulvany, Eden McGuire.

Referee: John Williams (Delvin).