LGFA IFC Final
St. Gall’s 2-9 St. John’s 0-6
A strong second half performance from St. Gall’s with the elements in their favour saw them turn around a half time deficit to beat St. John’s comfortably in the end in this Intermediate Championship final at windy Glenavy on Saturday.
St. John’s more than held their own during an evenly balanced opening half but received a bad blow when Maebh Laverty had to leave the field following what looked a serious injury.
Play was held up for six minutes due to Laverty’s in jury with Orla Corr kicking the final point of the half to give the Whiterock girls a narrow 0-4 to 0-3 half time lead.
It was a different story after the break and with the elements now in their favour it was the Milltown Row side who took control with goals from Alexandra Burns in the 9th minute and another from Erin Stewart in injury time securing them a comfortable victory.
It was Hannah McGirr who gave St. Gall’s the lead with a point in the 2nd minute with Luisna Adams squaring maters with a similar score with five minutes gone.
Nicole Killen and Alexandra Burns moved St. Gall’s two in front by the 9th minute but Anna Adams replied from a free and Olivia Todd squared matters for the second time as she sent over in the 22nd minute.
The last piece of action following a lengthy stoppage for Maebh Laverty’s injury saw Orla Corr on target for the Johnnies as they headed to the Glenavy dressing rooms carrying a slender one point lead.
St. Gall’s, aided by the elements made a bright start to the second half with an equalising point from Alexandra Burns and when the same player fired to the St. John’s net in the 9th minute they were in control.
Further points from Erin Stewart and Hannah McGirr moved St. Gall’s five in front as St. John’s found scores hard to come by against the wind but Luisna Adams finally got the off the mark with a point in the 15th minute.
They would add only one further score with Anna Adams replying to good Hannah McGirr point from play and Erin Stewart wrapped it up with a goal and a point for the Milltown side, her goal arriving deep in added time.
A good game of football with both sides playing their part but in the end St. Gall’s were comfortable winners.
A word of praise for the host club Glenavy who had their ground in excellent condition and ensured everything ran like clockwork and we at the Saffron Gael wish Maebh Laverty of St. John’s a speedy recovery following what looked a serious injury.
St. Gall’s: 1 Abbie Browning, 2 Fiona Johnston, 3 Claire Cosgrove, 4 Ciarra Culbert, 5 Erin Hughes, 6 Nicole McKeown, 7 Eimile McKeown, 8 Aoife Turley, 9 Roise Morris, 10 Megan Dowds, 11 Nicole Killen, 12 Hannah McGirr, 13 Erin Stewart, 14 Aine Sheehan, 15 Alexandra Burns
St. John’s: 1 Sinead McAleavey, 2 Ciar Nic Riocaird, 3 Aine Dudley, 4 Ceara Carelton, 5 Niamh McArdle, 6 Niamh Hamill, 7 Olivia Cardwell, 8 Orla Corr, 9 Olivia Todd, 10 Hannah McAllister, 11 Maebh Laverty, 12 Carla Hamill, 13 Anna Adams, 14 Debbie Boyd, 15 Luisna Adams
Referee: Barry Hotchkiss (Glenavy)
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