Girls Minor B Football Championship semi-final (LGFA)
Rossa 4-7
Lámh Dhearg 1-12
Photographs: Bert Trowlen
Four first half goals by Rossa secured their win tonight, against a Lámh Dhearg team that never gave up, in a minor girls football semi-final that finished in the dark.
Both teams registered a wide each at the start of the game before Rossa’s Aoife McKenna put the ball over the bar in the 6th minute. This was quickly followed by Rossa’s first goal a minute later when Niamh McNama finished a good passing move with an unstoppable shot past the Lamh Dhearg net minder.
Lamh Dhearg responded with points from Ciara Larkin and Robyn Murray before Rossa hit their second goal from the left foot of Niamh McNama
Aoife McKenna from Rossa netted goal number 3 with a right foot drive on the 26th minute
Grace Shannon added a fourth Rossa goal from a shot from distance.
Both teams registered points before half time to leave the score Rossa 4-4 to 0-6 in favour of Rossa.
Lamh Dhearg started the second half in determined fashion scoring the first two points of the half but Rossa cancelled them out with points from Holly Reid and Rachael Norney (free).
Lamh Dhearg were to grab a lifeline in the game with a goal from the very impressive Robyn Murray. Two further points for the Hannastown girls gave them cause for optimism that maybe they could turn the game around but a pointed free from Rossa’s Rachael Norney steadied the Shaw’s Road outfit. Credit to the Lamh Dhearg team as they continued to battle and registered the final two scores of the game from Robyn Murray and Ciara Larkin.
Rossa were able to hold on in the darkness and now advance to the final.
Best for Rossa were Caragh Shannon, Brónagh Rogan and Clodagh McMenamin in defence, with Riana Matthews and Grace Shannon getting the best at midfield. Up front Rossa had, Éimear Matthews, Aoife McKenna, Niamh McNama and Rachael Norney in good form.
Lamh Dhearg has stars in Robyn Murray, supported by Éimear Summersgill, Aoife McKinley and Sammijo Joyce who missed St Louises prize giving where they were due to collect awards to play. Shannon McCann in goal, Orlaith Webb, Anna Curran and Eimear Summersgill were others to catch the eye.
Lamh Dhearg scorers: Ciara Larkin 0-2, Robyn Murray 1-6, Aoife McKinley 0-2, Ráicheal Mulholland 0-1
