LADIES FOOTBALL –  JUNIOR B FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Pic by Seamus McAleenan

Con Magees 4-10 Lámh Dhearg 5-2

What an exciting action packed game on Saturday evening at Fr Maginn Park that kept the large crowd on their toes right up to the last minute.

Glenravel ladies conceded 4 ‘freak’ goals in the opening 13 minutes to fall 12 points in arrears. Although we were very much competing across the pitch, we couldn’t make this count on the scoreboard.

It wasn’t until the 17th minute that Shauna Kelly got their opening score with a finely worked point. This settled the Glenravel girls and when Shauna followed up with a goal a minute later and another point, that left 7 between the teams at half time and we were back in the game.

With the introduction of the fresh legs of Nicole Laverty, Alishia McPeake & Aimee Traynor at half time, soon paid off as Traynor goaled within 2 minutes of the restart and when Niamh McKay pointed there was only a goal now seperating the teams. The Hannahstown girls broke our momentum with a point and goal of their own but at this point we dug deep and controlled the rest of the game. A Niamh McKay free was followed up with a sweetly scored penalty and 3 further Niamh points by the 20th minute left the tie all square.Glenravel had chances to close the game out however the scores dried up as the Lámh Dhearg defence stood strong with their goalkeeper making some good saves. Equally at the other end our defence held out, as Angela Duffin, who had an excellent game, was replaced by Lauren Edgar. All square at the full time whistle.

In extra time we settled well, due in no small margin due to a fine point from the narrowest of angles on the right wing from Sabrina Spiers, to put Glenravel in the lead for the first time. Niamh Donnelly stretched the lead and a perfectly measured free from Aimee Traynor, meant that by half time in extra time we were 3 to the good. Lámh Dhearg pegged a point back as we entered the last 3 mins however when Alishia raised a 4th green flag with 2 minutes to go the contest was as good as over.

Up next for Glenravel is a Semi Final, next Saturday at home against Sarsfields, with a 5pm throw in.

Con Magees: Siobhan McMullan, Una McAleenan, Emma Dillon, Angela Duffin, Caoimhe McKeown, Bronagh Laverty, Bronagh McKay, Rachel McBride, Shauna Kelly, Aisling Kerr, Maeve Mulholland, Maeve Donaghy, Lucy Carey, Niamh McKay, Keira O’Neill, Nicole Laverty, Aimee Traynor, Alishia McPeake, Lauren Edgar, Sabrina Spiers, Niamh Donnelly, Caroline McFadden, Gemma McKeown, Aoife Kelly

Lámh Dhearg: Celine Daly, Emma Fox, Eimear McKenna, Sara Kennedy, Aoibheann Larkin, Niamh Webb, Louise Finnegan, Emer McGarry, Danielle Clarke, Shona Clarke, Ciara Larkin, Clara Doherty, Meidbhinn Megraw, Janine Lee, Orla Megaw, Cliona Doran, Caoimhe Megraw, Sammy-Jo Joyce, Gemma Richmond, Tierna Fegan

Pics by John McIlwaine