Nolan's 1-4 helps Myshall on the way to yet another final
Shannon Kavanagh the MLR captain looks for more room close to the sideline.
Aimee Nolan scored 1-4 for Myshall as they saw off the stern challenge of Mount Leinster Rangers in this senior championship camogie semi-final at The Training Centre on Saturday. The holders can also thank the agility of their goalkeeper, Laura James, who kept a clean sheet under huge pressure.
Rangers started well and two points from Ciara Kavanagh and one from Sarah Kehoe.
Catherine Kavanagh in the Rangers goal brought off a good save from the marauding Ciara Quirke which signalled the start of the Myshall come-back.
Caoimhe Jordan, Sarah Sheehan and Quirke all raised white flags to level the game.
When Myshall went three clear with scores from Nolan and Jordan, it looked as if the long-time champions were going to assert themselves. That never happened as Rangers dug ever so deep and they took a one-point lead in the second quarter with Kavanagh (3) and Byrne all pointing.
Jordan’s late strike in the half levelled the game at 0-7 each at the break.
Seven minutes into the second half, Nolan rounded her marker, put her head down and with space opening in front of her, her rocket gave Kavanagh no chance in the Rangers goal.
From the puck-out, the challengers replied and James made a brilliant diving save from Eimear Byrne. With Kavanagh converting the resultant 45, the tone was set for the remainder of the contest.
Rangers could never get level again. Twice they got within a point but chances eluded them. James kept her eye on a long delivery from Byrne once more and never looked like erring. Rangers did have a chance but a long-range free tailed wide when they needed everything to go with them.
In the end, two points from Nolan cemented Myshall’s grip on the game and they saw out the few minutes of injury time with the minimum of fuss, yet the look on Fiona Jordan's face after the game was one of relief.
“We are delighted. The standard of the players coming through is high and we are trying to develop them the whole time. Thankfully they came through today and we are back in the final,” said Fiona, a member of the management team.
The standard was high on Saturday and, on another day, Rangers could have caught the champions.
“Teams in Carlow are coming on the whole time and we got exactly what we expected. Rangers would have been always gunning for the win. They are a strong team and are getting stronger,” agreed Jordan.
