St. Michaels 1-14, Clann Na nGael 4-04                                               

St. Michaels ladies survived a late rally as a resurgent Clann Na nGael side staged an excellent second half recovery in Carlanstown on Monday evening however the magnificent Sinéad McCormack denied them even a share of the spoils with a brilliant effort under pressure in the first minute of added time.

A scoring exhibition by McCormack which yielded 1-09, 1-8 of it from play helped the home side to a 1-11 to 1-3 advantage at the break. Emma McDonnell (2), Seona Lynch (1) and Alicia Curtis (1) also added to the first half tally. Clann Na nGael seemed stunned by what hit them and didn't get off the mark until the 12th minute, they added their opening goal on the stroke of half time following two earlier points.  

A Megan O'Brien point two minutes after the re-start put nine points between the sides and another point from McCormack's left boot stretched that lead, however the home side then sat back and began to admire their earlier good work which they were dearly punished for when in a 5 minute spell the Clann Na nGael ladies broke through the home defence for a hat-trick of goals to leave just a point between the sides with 10 minutes still remaining. Clann Na nGael were now a different team to watch with some sweeping moves all over the pitch which resulted in some of the best competitive football now being played with both defences coming to the fore. Clann Na nGael were on level terms on 55 minutes and in a tense finale both sides wasted opportunities to go in front however it was player of the match Sinéad McCormack who coolly knocked over the winning point in injury time for a deserved but hard earned victory much to the delight of the small home support.
 

St Michaels: Sarah Bradley; Marita Rogers, Áine Sheridan, Emma Carolan; Emma McDonnell (0-2), Hayley Doyle, Lorraine Curtis; Clare Halpin, Megan O'Brien (0-1); Alicia Curtis (0-1), Erin Lynch, Seona Lynch (0-1); Sinéad McCormack (1-9), Clodagh Corcoran, Sheena O'Donnell.                                                              
Subs: Katelyn Russell for M. Rogers injured.                                

Referee: Colm McManus.      

Report and photo by Pascal Reilly PRO.  

Tweet

Most Read Stories