Caulry deny Valley ladies to set up local derby decider

Caulry 3-8 Loughnavalley 2-9

By John Dingle

Caulry have set up a mouth-watering local derby against Moate in the Westmeath LGFA Intermediate Championship final after a two-point victory over Loughnavalley at Ballynacargy GAA grounds last Sunday afternoon.

There was nothing to separate the teams in the first half with Caulry grateful to have raised the green flag twice in order to be on level terms at the interval. The Mount Temple team took over in the second half and had built up an eight-point lead by the time Loughnavalley struck for their first score of the half.

Another goal deep into stoppage time had the lead reduced to just two points, but Caulry held out to take their place in the decider.

These sides had met twice already this year in league and championship, with Caulry having the upper hand on both occasions. However, Loughnavalley were anxious to turn the tables in the most important meeting of the teams and were in front heading towards the break with some fine scores.

After two early wides at either end, Eabha Cassidy popped over the first point for Loughnavalley with five minutes played.

Caulry were soon on level terms through Aine Gaynor and went ahead when raising the first green flag after nine minutes, with Leah Quigley finding the net.

However, Caulry then had to wait for over a quarter of an hour for their next score as Loughnavalley took over on the scoreboard with four unanswered points. Prior to this, Megan Clinton had a chance to score a second goal for Caulry but was denied by a good save from Amy Donlon.

Loughnavalley took heart from their keeper’s heroics to lead by 0-5 to 1-1 after 24 minutes. Sarah Thompson scored their next point and a Cassidy free reduced the deficit to the bare minimum heading into the second quarter. A Pip Ruane point levelled matters and Loughnavalley edged in front as substitute Aoife Murphy celebrated her introduction when her first touch saw the ball head over the bar.

Caulry had not scored since the ninth minute and were in a spot of bother but a second major score after 25 minutes revived their fortunes and back into the lead once more. Kate Stuart Trainor raised the green flag and a further point from Quigley left a goal between the teams.

The Valley though could not be shaken off and were back on level terms by the break. Points from Pip Ruane and Aoife Murphy reduced the deficit to a single point as the interval approached and after Rebecca Ruane had a goal chance on the stroke of half-time, Ashley Ruane popped over a point to leave it level at the break, 0-8 to 2-2. It was all to play for when play resumed.

The second half, however, proved to be a major disappointment for Loughnavalley as they failed to trouble the umpires until 23 minutes had been played. It was too large a gap between scores for success to be savoured. In the meantime, Caulry had taken control to lead by double scores heading into the last quarter.

Two points within a minute of the restart had the red and whites on their way as Aine Gaynor and Stuart Trainor added scores. A further point from Karrissa Burns after 32 minutes had Caulry ahead by 2-5 to 0-8.

The goal fest continued for the eventual winners after 39 minutes when again the net was rattled as Clinton shot over the keeper. A further point from Clinton followed by a free from Aine Gaynor had Caulry in front by eight points.

Loughnavalley had not scored to date since play resumed but were right back in contention when their first score after 53 minutes was a major one. Ellen Daly passed to Niamh Mullarkey and she made no mistake with her shot.

The gap could have been narrowed further had Aoife Murphy shown greater accuracy when facing the target but fired wide instead with the goal at her mercy. A Cassidy point after 55 minutes left Loughnavalley within four but they could not turn their dominance during the closing stages into scores.

Aine Gaynor's free with two minutes remaining completed the scoring for Caulry as they led by 3-8 to 1-9 heading into stoppage time.

The drama was not finished just yet as Loughnavalley struck for a second goal in the fifth additional minute. Ashley Ruane passed to her sister Pip for the last score of the game but time eventually ran out on Loughnavalley as the final whistle soon sounded leaving Caulry in an all-South Westmeath decider. Both teams ended up with the same number of scores but Caulry edged the crucial goal tally.

Player of the match: Aishling Gaynor (Caulry). The crucial battles in midfield were won by Caulry with Gaynor prominent as she gained a lot of possession to set up scoring chances.

What it means: Caulry will take on local rivals Moate in the decider on Saturday, October 3 after the latter defeated Milltownpass in the other semi-final.

Scorers – Caulry: M Clinton, L Quigley and K Stuart Trainor 1-1 each; Aine Gaynor 0-4 (2 frees); K Burns 0-1. Loughnavalley: P Ruane 1-2; N Mullarkey 1-0; E Cassidy 0-3 (1f); A Murphy 0-2; A Ruane and S Thompson 0-1 each.

Caulry - Aisling Claffey; Grace Shortall, Amy Murphy, Anna Malone; Ella Corcoran, Ruth Martin, Lauren Claffey; Jasmine Maloney, Aishling Gaynor; Megan Clinton, Molly Connaughton, Aine Gaynor; Karrissa Burns, Leah Quigley, Kate Stuart Trainor. Subs: Eunice David for Corcoran (30 mins); Aoife Collins for Clinton (58); Susan Duignan for L Claffey (60).

Loughnavalley - Amy Donlon; Rebecca Monaghan, Ciara Gately, Ellen Daly; Rebecca Ruane, Maisie Currams, Sarah Costello; Niamh Mullarkey, Philippa Ruane; Sarah Thompson, Morgan Corcoran, Ashley Ruane; Eabha Cassidy, Caoimhe Clarke MacMahon, Eleanor Murphy. Subs: Aoife Murphy for Thompson (23 mins); Lilly Quinn for E Murphy (58).

Referee - Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).