LEINSTER LADIES SF
ST LEO’S COLLEGE 5-19 CNOC MHUIRE, GRANARD 1-3
THE slaughter of the innocents wasn’t a patch on this. On Friday at Vicarstown the holders were on a mission and they were merciless.
Save for the opening flurry and a three-minute spell at the death St Leo’s dominated from beginning to end. 4-15 in their opening match and now they have added another impressive total to book their place in the semi-finals of the Leinster championship.
They must be favourites to take the top spot and ensure themselves a knockout match against the fourth place school in the group.
A fifth consecutive Leinster title is well within their capabilities. Deirdre O’Sullivan is captain of the team and she led by example scoring 2-6 over the hour. She pointed out that this was not a complete one lady show.
“We have amazing forwards with great height and good natural talent and skill. From goalkeeper right up into the forward line there is a great feeling in the side and a bond between us. I cannot emphasise it enough. We are very focused,” she said afterwards.
The skipper opened the scoring with a goal in the fifth minute when she was put through by a slick pass from Sinead Ruth. Their interpassing mesmerised their opponents who had no answer. By the 18th minute they led by 3-5 to 0-1 with Anne Marie Dolan scoring the Granard school only first half point from a free in the 16th minute.
“Right through the 60 minutes we were fully concentrated and didn’t give up on anything. We wanted a solid win,” said O’Sullivan.
By half time the Carlow school led by 4-9 to 0-1with Hilary Griffin, Amanda Kinsella and Sinead Doogue getting among the goals.
O’Sullivan continued the rout in the second half with two points. Despite the fact that they were cruising they continued to keep their shape. Sinead Ruth picked up a yellow card and by the rules of the ladies game she was obliged to spend ten minutes on the line.
After her time had elapsed there was no need for her to return and she was replaced by Lauren Dwyer who also got among the point scorers.
There was no letting up and this was best illustrated when midfielder, Aisling Hayden, distributed a hopeful ball goal wards. No one collected and for once the backs were given the time to clear. The front line had migrated outfield. It brought a stern rebuke from members of the management who were not happy with a lack of concentration. After this O’Sullivan scored her second goal.
It would have been unusual if the losers had failed to have some period of dominance and they eventually did in the closing minutes. Having had nothing to do for almost an hour the bounce of the ball deceived keeper Tanala Kehoe and it fell kindly for Tanya O’Hara who found the net.
Kehoe made up for her defensive lapse a minute later with a smart save to deny O’Hara a second goal. The game had died by that stage and both sets of players were happy to make their way from the bitterly cold breeze to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms.
St. Leo’s College: Tanya Kehoe (O’Hanrahan’s); Patrice Whelan (Crettyard), Rhona Julian (Killeen), Grace Miller (Killeen); Aoife Byrne (Bennekerry-Tinryland), Jane Moore (Ballylinan), Ciara Callinane (Killeen); Danni Callinane (Killeen), Aisling Hayden (Killeen, .-.); Aisling Wall (Killeen), Hilary Griffin (St Anne’s, Tullow, .-.), Deirdre O’Sullivan (Bennekerry-Tinryland .-., .f); Sinead Doogue (Crettyard .-.), Sinead Ruth ( Baile Cheatharlach .-.), Amanda Kinsella (Bennekerry-Tinryland .-., .f). Subs: Tiarna Kehoe (O’Hanrahan’s) for Miller (..mins), Susan Byrne (Grangenolkin) for Ruth (..mins), Lauren Dwyer (Bennekerry-Tinryland .-.) for Doogue (..mins), Ciara Moore (Ballylinan) for Julian (..mins).
Ref: Pat Moran (Graiguecullen).