County Intermediate Ladies Football Final Replay – Saturday, 13th October 2018
St. Brendan’s 2-10 Tuam/Cortoon 2-7
Darren Kelly in Mountbellew
Goals for Michelle Delaney and Leanne Walsh were significant for Michael McHale’s team as they improved their shooting statistics from the drawn encounter. The Ballygar/Newbridge outfit kicked three first half wides, but better than their 12 missed chances seven days earlier.
Delaney opened St. Brendan’s account after three minutes but this time, it was Tuam/Cortoon who were wasting opportunities as they kicked five first half wides. The first quarter was their best spell but only had a Caoimhe Moran point before Delaney and Niamh Lohan made it 0-3 to 0-1 in St. Brendan’s favour.
Tuam/Cortoon did create two clear goal chances but Sinead Kelly and Rebecca McPhilbin made the stops. McPhilbin and captain Nora Ward controlled the middle third for long periods assisted by Lohan, Laura Mulrooney and Linda Booth.
They lost Aine Gilmore through injury but recovered well despite Moran pointing for Tuam/Cortoon. Ward made it 0-4 to 0-2 on 22 minutes. However, when Moran’s run down the left created the chance and Caitlin Maloney finished to the net for Tuam/Cortoon. Another Moran point made it 1-3 to 0-4.
On 27 minutes, Walsh, Rebecca Conway and Ward did the spade work supplying Delaney on the edge of the square and she made no mistake with St. Brendan’s first goal. And they added through Delaney, Booth and Lohan to lead 1-7 to 1-3 at half-time before Delaney kicked another two frees after the break.
Emer Flaherty scored a Tuam/Cortoon point before Aoife O’Rourke won a penalty on 40 minutes but Caitlin Maloney’s shot was saved by Kelly.
Kate Geraghty and Ciara Maloney reduced arrears before McPhilbin made it 1-10 to 1-6. However, on 56 minutes, O’Rourke struck a Tuam/Cortoon goal and suddenly there was just one between them.
The next score was critical! Booth, McPhilbin and Hazel Hevehan were all involved as Leanne Walsh the winning shot for St. Brendan’s second goal. Ciara Maloney tallied as Tuam/Cortoon chased an equaliser. But St. Brendan’s held firm and returned to top flight ladies football.
Scorers – St. Brendan’s: Michelle Delaney 1-5 (four frees), Leanne Walsh 1-0, Niamh Lohan 0-2, Rebecca McPhilbin 0-1, Nora Ward 0-1, Linda Booth 0-1.
Scorers – Tuam/Cortoon: Aoife O’Rourke 1-0, Caitlin Maloney 1-0, Caoimhe Moran 0-3, Ciara Maloney 0-2 (both frees), Emer Flaherty 0-1, Kate Geraghty 0-1.
St. Brendan’s: Sinead Kelly; Sarah Kelly, Aine Gilmore, Maria Mitchell; Laura Farrell, Rebecca McPhilbin, Niamh Lohan; Leanne Walsh, Laura Mulrooney; Ellen Muldoon, Nora Ward, Linda Booth; Sinead Langan, Michelle Delaney, Rebecca Conway.
Subs used: Aoife McDonagh for Gilmore (12 mins), Hazel Hevehan for Langan (HT), Liadan Greally for Booth (60 mins).
Tuam/Cortoon: Anna Nicholson; Emer Roche, Emer Flaherty, Rachel Connolly; Shauna Finnegan, Clodagh Creaven, Mary Flaherty; Lara Finnegan, Kate Geraghty; Rebecca Collins, Aoife O’Rourke, Leonie Fleming; Caitlin Maloney, Caoimhe Moran, Ciara Maloney.
Subs used: Laura O’Dea for Collins (37 mins).
Referee: Shane Curley
Player of the Match: NORA WARD (St. Brendan’s)
GALWAY LGFA: St. Brendan’s and Tuam/Cortoon set for Rematch https://t.co/aHtPLoYePZ
— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) October 11, 2018
