Joeys just come up short in epic encounter

Muckalee 4-13 St Joseph's 2-11 (AET)

LGFA LEINSTER JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

In Tang on Saturday afternoon in wind, rain and cold, the ladies of Muckalee and St Joseph's warmed the afternoon with a game that will live long in the memory with as many twists and turns as a mountain pass.

A proverbial game of two halves, there was extra-time and drama aplenty. The contest was eventually won by the Kilkenny senior champions who went one more than last year’s semi-final place and proved that football is alive and well in the hurling dominated county.

St Joseph's played their part and will rue the chance they had to claim that final spot but at the death there was no denying Muckalee who possibly showed the greater resolve and experience on a day when ladies football was the real winner.

As stated the game was a tale of two halves and the first 30 odd minutes belonged to St Joseph's. The home side kept the momentum from last week going with a superb display in the opening moiety. After a nervy start by both teams, Joseph's led at the quarter mark with points from Sile Kearney, Caoilinn Elliffe, Aoife Keegan and Elliffe again.

Muckalee replied with white flags from a Katie Nolan free and Sarah Brennan (from play) but then the hosts got on top. Kearney pointed after sister Niamh was denied a goal by a brilliant Niamh McDowell save. Karen Keegan pointed a free and then after Kate Purcell had pulled one back for Muckalee, a field long move was finished expertly to the net by Elliffe and she added a late point for good measure as Joseph's led 1-7 to 0-3 at the break.

Lauryn McDonnell and Sile Kearney added to that total on the restart and now the Westmeath ladies led by nine, but Muckalee are an experienced and well drilled outfit and they were not for lying down.

Grace Buggy started the fightback and with wing-forwards Purcell and Hazel Moore dominating, the Kilkenny side upped the ante.

Points came Nolan (another free), Laura McDowell (two beauties) and then Rebecca Roche converted a gift of a chance and now just four separated the sides.

Joseph's rallied and steadied the ship somewhat with Aine Maxwell pulling off a couple of fine saves in goal but it was mere respite as Nolan added another free before Kate Purcell levelled with a brilliant goal.

Amazingly, the same player put Muckalee in front with the point of the half but in the 66th minute Joseph's got a free and Karen Keegan levelled to send the game into extra-time as we all paused for breath.

Joseph's got the perfect start when Sinead Robbins netted a wonderful goal and when Keegan added a point minutes later it looked as if they had weathered the storm. But Muckalee were not done yet and after Nolan pulled one back she was again on the spot in the lee of the whistle to net the equalising goal as we headed for the last ten minutes.

It proved the decisive moment as after the restart Muckalee took complete control with Nolan pointing and two goals from Roche and full-back Eadoin Coady to finally seal the deal.

When player of the match Nolan added the last point it sealed a flattering but deserved win for the Kilkenny girls after a thoroughly entertaining 90 odd minutes of all that is good in the game.

For Joseph’s management of Andrew Meares and Brendan Nannery it was heartbreak when their charges went down with a huge fight and they were loud in their praise of their opponents.

“We’re young and hungry and maybe today wasn’t our day, but we will have better days and I couldn’t be prouder of the girls," said Brendan.

Player of the match: The Keegans (Karen and Aoife), Caoilinn Elliffe and Sile Kearney tried their heart out for Joseph's, while goalie Aine Maxwell was outstanding. Muckalee, however, had the real star in Katie Nolan who was superb throughout aided and abetted by Kate Purcell and Hazel Moore, in particular.

Scorers - Muckalee: Katie Nolan 1-6 (0-2f), Kate Purcell 1-2, Rebecca Roche 1-1, Eadoin Coady 1-0, Laura McDowell 0-2, Grace Buggy and Sarah Brennan 0-1 each. St Joseph's: Caoilinn Elliffe 1-3, Karen Keegan (2f) and Sile Kearney 0-3 each, Sinead Robbins 1-0, Lauryn McDonnell and Aoife Keegan 0-1 each.

Muckalee: Niamh McDowell; Amy Nolan, Eadaoin Coady, Roisin Hanlon; Clodagh Hanlon, Edel Coonan, Sarah Brennan; Ellen Lawlor, Kelley Comerford; Kate Purcell, Rebecca Roche, Hazel Moore; Aoife Dunne, Laura McDowell, Katie Nolan. Subs: Grace Buggy for Brennan, H-T; Amy Menton for Dunne, 42 mins; Denise Comerford for McDowell, 63; A Dunne for Lawlor E-T.

St Joseph's: Aine Maxwell; Cliona McCormack, Orla Robbins, Eleanor Conway; Joyce Conway, Roisin Killian, Kayla McDonnell; Claire Conlon, Aoife Keegan; Lauryn McDonnell, Sinead Robbins, Karen Keegan; Sile Kearney, Caoilinn Elliffe, Niamh Kearney. Subs: Ciara Daly for Claire Conlon, 45 mins; Emer Killian for Kayla McDonnell, McDonnell for Daly, 70; C Conlon for J Conway 73; Keelin Robbins for McCormack, 78.

Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).