Defeat in Junior Championship Final for Senior Ladies

Andersonstown Social Club Ladies Junior Football Final

Gort Na Mona 7.08 v 2.14 St. Joseph’s Glenavy

The game was played at Musgrave Park the home of St. Brigid’s and as usual everything was perfect for a good game except the weather .A continual downpour throughout t the game made handling extremely difficult. To their credit both teams gave everything they had and with thirty one scores the large crowd present were kept entertained. The country side knew a tough game was ahead of them with their opponents scoring nine goals in the semi-final. Once again it was their ability to raise the green flag on seven occasions that got them over the line.

The Glenavy girls got off to a flyer with 1.04 on the score board before the city side got going. Bronagh Forester raised the first white flag from an acute angle. The impressive Ellen Morgan extended the lead with a point. Then we were entertained to the first of the nine goals when the ball reached the hard working Grainne McLaughlin from an Ellen Morgan pass and finished a fine goal. Once again Ellen Morgan split the posts to put her side seven up. The Monagh Road girls were getting into their stride and only for a smart save from the alert Orlagh Mullen they would have found the net. Cora Morgan got the Gorts first score with an excellent point from thirty meters out. Their score was quickly doubled when Alysa Davidson raise their second white flag.

Back came the orange women with a pointed free from Ellen Morgan. Once again Grainne McLaughlin found her range with a point. Then we were treated to the Belfast’s side ability to score goals when first Cora Morgan found the net quickly followed by another from the impressive Blathin Ni Cathail. to leave her side one adrift. The lively Grainne McLaughlin showed all he class when she split the posts. With the Hill side’s defence under severe pressure they eventfully buckled once  again to two killer goals. First we had a well worked move finished to the ne net by Brogan Crossan. Elis Davidson added a point to help her side from seven down to five in front. The country girls showed they had still something to give in this game when Bronagh Forester finished a team move with a point. Gort Na Mona finished the half on the attack and were rewarded with their fifth goal from the ever alert Ciara Maguire to leave the half time score Gort Na Mona 5.03 v 1.08 St.Joseph’s

Whatever positive thinking the Glenavy team manager gave his girls worked. The added a goal and four points without reply to bring themselves right back into the game with the scores level after eight minutes of the restart. The defence and midfield marked much tighter which kept their opponents without the ball. Once again the hard work and running of Grainne McLaughlin was rewarded with two points from play. Ellen Morgan closed the gap with a goal and two points.

The purple and gold clad girls were clawing their way back into the game and only for a fantastic block from Glenavy team Captain Cathy Scannell a certain goal was inevitable. Gort Na Mona was once again gaining control of the midfield area. The Belfast side put the game out of reach with two goals and four points added to their score. Brogan Crossan found the net and points from Alysa Davidson and Blaithin Ne Cathail were quickly followed by a seventh goal from Ciara Maguire. Cora Morgan, Aisling, McCaffery and Brogan Crossan added three more points. Once again Grainne McLaughlin was on the score sheet with a point. Alyssa Davidson has the final Gort Na Mona score with a point. The final point was from Grainne McLaughlin to leave the final score Gort Na Mona 7.08 v 2.14 St. Joseph’s.

I know I have mostly mentioned those who scored but it would be unfair to pick out anyone for playing well as all the players from both sides put in a hefty effort on a miserable evening. Glenavy were disappointed but the better team won on the night. The old saying goals win matches was right on the night.

Gort Na Mona: Ciara Thompson;  Orla Lennon; Catlin Fryers; Kathleen Cournane; Grainne O;Hare; Carla Scannell; Gabriel Monaghan; Anna McCann; Jeyda Rooney; Brogan Crossan;; Alyssa Davidson Aisling McCaffery; Ciara Maguire; Cora Morgan; Blaithin Hall;

 Panel: Aobhin Enright; Mia Gregory; Emiliy Crossan; Cliodhna Mulvenna; Catlin Fox; Jordan ; Caomhe Delany; Tierna Ellie; Dyaihin Hall.

 

St.Joseph’s: Orlagh Mullin, Mary McStravick, Meabh Bradley, Michelle Gregory, Natasha O’Neill, Cathy Scannell, Orlaith McAllister, Eva Cafolla, Orla McLeod, Ana Mulholland,  Grainne McLaughlin, Megan McGarry, Anna McStravick, Ellen Morgan;  Bronagh Forester,

Panel:  Orlagh McClinton, Maeve Hamill, Annie McCambridge, , Eve McCartney, Courteney Murray, Grainne Falloon; Geraldine McCann

 

Referee: Emma Kelly St.Paul’s