Carlow reach All-Ireland decider as perfect season continues
Megan Townsend celebrates at the final whistle of the LGFA TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship semi-final match between Carlow and Derry at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
An incredible scoring burst of three goals in the space of two minutes late in the first half at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan helped Cavan continue their perfect season as they qualified for the for the All-Ireland Junior Championship Final at Croke Park.
Carlow had won all 16 games this season before the semi-final, and won two trophies along the way, but that would have mattered for little if they had lost this game and fell short of their ultimate aim of running out at Croke Park.
But once again, Ed Burke’s players came up with the goods.
Carlow trailed by 0-5 to 0-2 but goals from Amy Hanley, Brónagh Nolan and Aibha Kiernan completely turned the game on its head. From there on, Carlow remained in charge.
Orla McGeough pulled back a late goal for Derry as the Ulster side briefly threatened a comeback but it was Carlow’s day. Megan Townsend’s even later goal means that after losing three semi-finals in the last four years, they have can finally look forward to pulling on their county’s jersey at Croke Park.
That final takes place on 2nd August and Carlow will meet last year’s runners-up Antrim after they beat Sligo by 3-14 to 2-15 after Maria O’Neill scored 3-5 of their total.
A Hanley, Brónagh Nolan, A Kiernan, M Townsend 1-0 each, A Webb, C Ní Shé (1f) 0-2 each, R Bermingham, C O’Neill, S Doyle 0-1 each.
A Ní Lochlainn 0-4 (3f), O McGeough 1-0, penalty; C Donnelly, J Shivers, J Slevin 0-1 each.
Nicole Hanley; Aoife Carroll, Anne Roche, Siofra O’Neill; Ruth Bermingham, Niamh Forde, Aoibhín Webb; Roisin Bailey, Caoimhe O’Neill; Amy Hanley, Clíodhna Ní Shé, Edel Hayden; Brónagh Nolan, Aibha Kiernan, Sara Doyle. Subs: Megan Townsend for E Hayden (47), Béibhín Nolan for Brónagh Nolan (59).
Thomasina Cassidy; Leah Brewster, Sarah Hargan, Joanne Corr; Sorcha Duggan, Sarah Heron, Anna Donnelly; Orla McGeough, Cara Donnelly; Bláithín Donnelly, Kate Hargan, Niamh Hannon; Annie Ní Lochlainn, Jemma Shivers, Jeanette Slevin. Subs: B Brolly for J Shivers (ht), J Shivers for J Corr (53), N McGarry for A Ní Lochlainn (59), H Mullan for L Brewster (59), L Armstrong for N Hannon (59).
Gerard Canny (Mayo).
