Carlow start LGFA National League season with a win
Carlow’s Cliodhna Ni Shé fires past Sligo goalkeeper Ellen Maguire for the opening score of the game
Carlow got their National Football League Division 4 off to the best possible start when they outscored and outplayed their western visitors in this first round game at the SETU Carlow campus on Sunday.
Playing into the town end in the opening half they took a while to convert possession into scores but eventually Clíodhna Ní Shé planted the ball in the net on eight minutes. She added a point after Denis McGrath raised a Sligo white flag from play.
At the interval, Carlow led 1-3 to 0-2 with the defence not giving the Sligo attack an inch to work with.
Ní Shé landed an early free in the second half and also pointed to stretch the lead but the home side had a let-off when Sligo were pinged for overcarrying when a goal chance presented itself.
Megan Townsend’s point should have given Carlow the momentum to drive on but they found themselves on the backfoot for the rest of the game. Carlow gave themselves an anxious few minutes when McGrath scored a Sligo goal as the clock went into the red. It wasn’t enough for the visitors and the final whistle brought sighs of relief but also joy for players and their supporters alike.
C Ní Shé 1-3 (2fs), M Townsend, R Bermingham, A Webb, A Kiernan 0-1 each.
D McGrath 1-4 (2fs).
Nicole Hanley; Aoife Carroll, Anne Roche, Beibhin Nolan; Aoibhinn Webb, Niamh Forde, Ruth Bermingham; Roisin Bailey, Caoimhe O’Neill; Edel Hayden, Clíodhna Ní Shé, Amy Hanley; Megan Townsend, Sara Doyle, Bronagh Nolan. Subs: Aibha Kiernan for Doyle (20), Siofra O’Neill for A Hanley (49), Kate Burke for Townsend (53), Niamh Murphy for Béibhín Nolan (57), Amy Farrell for Bronagh Nolan (60), Ella Molloy for Bermingham (60).
Ellen Maguire; Holly Gilligan, Claire Dunne, Aoibheann Durcan; Tara Breheny, Ciara Walsh, Cara King; Rachel McGoldrick, Sarah Cunney; Jade Gabbidon, Anna McDaniel, Sarah Feeney; Leah Duffy, Cora Gilligan, Denise McGrath. Subs: Nisha McDonagh for McGoldrick (26), Ciara Gorman for Gilligan (38), Lauren Normanly for Duffy (38), Bláithín Lavin for Gabbidon (43).
Brian Foley (Wicklow).
