Con Magees, Glenravel 7-5 St Josephs Glenavy 3-11
This was a re-run of the 2018 semi final, which Glenavy had won in very convincing fashion. The Glenravel girls got off to an ideal start with a Torie Edgar point and Molly Woulahan goal in the opening minutes. Glenavy shortly got off the mark. Their forwards looked dangerous in the early attacks which resulted in a pointed free and a goal from Fionnuala Connor. That was as good as it got for the girls from Chapel Hill in the first half however, as although they tagged on another 3 points, by half time they were 9 points in arrears, with Glenravel running in another 3 goals and 3 points. Glenravel were impressive in this period, pinning Glenavy into their own half, while overturning every Glenavy venture into the green & whites defence.
Whatever breeze there was, favoured Glenavy in the 2nd half but it would take more than the elements alone to claw the Chapel Hill girls back into this tie. And back they came. Powered on by Grainne McLoughlin, Fionnuala Connor and Ellen Morgan up front, with 10 mins to go, the sides were level at 5-4 to 3-10, and momentum was all with Glenavy. A Glenravel penalty didn’t stop the tide with Fiona Rogan pulling off the save, only for the Glenravel girls to then find an extra gear. After much Glenravel pressure Maeve Mulholland ghosted into the square and raised a green flag to restore the Con Magees lead . Aimee Traynor quickly added a point from distance which ultimately extinguished the Glenavy challenge with the Glenravel girls managing to tag on another goal before Brendan Toland called time after 4 mins of injury time.
All in all this was a bit of a roller coaster, full blooded championship encounter. Glenavy will be disappointed with their opening 30 mins, but really made a game of it in the second half. Glenravel will be happy with the win against Division 1 opposition and over the hour, with better team play, fully deserved to progress to the County Final.
Glenravel: Orla Donnelly, Eimhear McAleenan, Emma Dillon, Bronagh McKay, Bronagh Laverty, Colleen McNeill, Caoimbhe McAleenan, Maeve Mulholland, Kirsty Laverty, Clare Emmerson, Laoise McKenna, Niamh McKay, Aimee Traynor, Torie Edgar, Molly Woulahan, Chloe McAuley, Dervla Donaghy, Ellen Hynds, Alishia McPeake, Clodagh McCann, Keira O’Neill, Una McAleenan
Glenavy: Fiona Rogan, Mary McStravick, Edel Christie, Elise Cafolla, Chloe Cassidy, Cathy Scannell, Chloe Doone, Megan McGarry, Ana Mulholland, Bronagh Cunningham, Grainne McLaughlin, Orla McCambridge, Fionnuala Connor, Ellen Morgan, Orlagh McClinton, Emma O’Neill, Beth Hamill, Courteney Murray, Eve McCartney, Maeve Hamill, Cristin Magennis
Referee: Brendan Toland
