Mountmellick Sarsfields (Laois) 1-12
Seneschalstown(Meath) 1-7
Laois Champions Sarsfields qualified for the Leinster Senior Club Ladies Football Semi-final when they outscored Meath title holders Seneschalstown by five points in a thrilling quarter final game on Saturday 1st Oct in Seneschalstown. The heavy rain over the previous 24 hours made the pitch extremely difficult for the players, and certainly affected the standard of play, but with the game in the melting pot for 55 minutes there was no shortage of entertainment for the large crowd.
Mountmellick Sarsfields (Laois) 1-12
Seneschalstown(Meath) 1-7
Laois Champions Sarsfields qualified for the Leinster Senior Club Ladies Football Semi-final when they outscored Meath title holders Seneschalstown by five points in a thrilling quarter final game on Saturday 1st Oct in Seneschalstown. The heavy rain over the previous 24 hours made the pitch extremely difficult for the players, and certainly affected the standard of play, but with the game in the melting pot for 55 minutes there was no shortage of entertainment for the large crowd.
The Mountmellick girls dominated the early exchanges but squandered numerous scoring opportunities in front of goals as chances went a begging. Louise Bergin, Tracey Lawlor and Grace Weston eventually found the range to give them a three point lead after 15 minutes.
Seneschalstown came storming back into the match and points from Mary Sheridan and Stephanie Byrne and a goal by full forward Louise McKeever put them 1-2 to 0-3 ahead after 22 minutes.
The introduction of the experienced Emma McEvoy steadied the ship for Sarsfields. Two minutes before the break Seneschalstown’s midfielder Siobhan Sheridan had to be taken off after a bad collision. This was a slight blow to the home side before the break. Points from Tracey Lawlor and Clare Conlon left two between the sides at the break, 1-4 to 0-6.
Within a minute of the resumption of play a goal by Sarsfields No 14 Ciara O’Loughlin set the tone for the second half and the Laois girls never looked back. A tenacious defence led by the outstanding Alison McEvoy, goalie Clodagh Dunne plus Aisling Dunphy, Amy Grehan, Siobhan Fitzpatrick and team captain Mags McEvoy, who won their individual battles against their immediate opponents, was the main basis of the Sarsfields victory. Midfielders Tracey Lawlor and Louise Bergin were also very influential.
For Seneschalstown All-Star defender Grainne Nulty was a tower of strength a centre back and along with the excellent Edel McGrane, Orla Sheridan and Aonaidh McAdams made life very difficult for the opposition. Midfielder Fiona Mahon was in brilliant form throughout while the Sheridan sisters Mary and Mena Sheridan also made huge contributions to their side’s cause.
Scorers:
Sarsfields Tracey Lawlor(0-4), Louise Bergin(0-3), Ciara O’Loughlin(1-0), Olwyn Farrell (0-2), Grace Weston(0-2), Clare Conlon(0-1).
Seneschalstown Louise McKeever(1-0), Mena Sheridan,(0-2), Stephanie Byrne (0-2), Fiona Mahon(0-1), Mary Sheridan, (0-1), Eimear O’Carroll(0-1).
Teams:
Sarsfields: Clodagh Dunne, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Jenny McEvoy, Amy Grehan, Aisling Dunphy, Mags McEvoy, Alison McEvoy, Louise Bergin, Tracey Lawlor, Olwyn Farrell, Grace Weston, Hazel O’ Connor, Clare Conlon, Ciara O’Loughlin Lauramarie Maher;
Subs: Emma McEvoy, Rachel Williams, Joyce Dunne.
Seneschalstown: Louise Byrne, Aonaidh McAdams, Edel McGrane, Adelle Conlon, Seanaidh Hickey, Grainne Nulty, Orla Sheridan, Fiona Mahon, Siobhan Sheridan, Stephanie Byrne, Mary Sheridan, Mena Sheridan, Eimear O’Carroll, Louise McKeever, Roisin Nulty.
Subs: Aurleita Everard, Debbie Dillion, Sarah Crosby, Shannon Coffey.
