Roscommon Secure Semi Final

Dominant second half sees Roscommon defeat shannonsiders to qualify for semi-finals.

Roscommon 3-11 Limerick 2-02.

Our Ward Bros intermediate Ladies put in a storming second half to see off a determined home side on a glorious Sunday afternoon last in the splendid Staker Wallace GAA pitch in Martinstown kilmallack. In doing so the Roscommon girls clinced their place in the league semi – finals with a game to spare. This is a terrific achievement for the girls and their new management team under the guidance of Michael Finnernan and credit must be given to them.

Showing two changes from the original line up with Carol manning taking her place in goal and Caoileann Beirne coming in for Tara taylor in midfield Roscommon unlike recent games were slow to settle. Limerick started the strongest with a goal within three minutes from Mairead Kavanagh. Two pointed frees from Natalie McHugh in the tenth and eleventh minute brought it back to one point. In the twelfth minute a move involving three St. Ailbhes club players saw Limerick hit for goal number two, a long ball in from midfielder Caroline Hickey found her club mate Stephanie Carroll who offloaded to Mairead Kavanagh the powerful full forward blasted to the top corner. Roscommon’s response was swift the ball was gather out on the forty five meter line by Natalie McHugh and her defence splitting pass found Janney Higgins in front of goal and the Western Gaels player slotted the ball neatly under Cloda Kirby in the Limerick goals to leave it 1-02 to 2-0. A pointed Kavanagh free in the sixteenth minute put two between the sides again ironically this was to be the home sides last score of the game until the final minute of the second half as Roscommon settled into to the game particularly in the back lines and midfield areas.  Natalie McHugh hit for Roscommon second goal in the twenty sixth minute the move started with a trade mark Caoileann Beirne catch in the middle of the park, the St. Marys player offloaded to Jenny Higgins who launched the ball in towards the limerick goal as McHugh gathered procession rounded her marker and cooly slotted past Kirby. Limerick didn’t give up the fight though, moments later  Caroline Hickey gathered procession in the middle of the park, with a menacing run through the heart of the Roscommon defence she unleashed a but her booming goal bound kick but her  effort was expertly saved by Manning in the Roscommon goals. Half time score Roscommon 2-02 Limerick 2-01.

Whatever words Michael Finneran said to his side in the dressing room at half-time certainly worked as the Roscommon Ladies out scored their hosts by 1-09 to a solitary point. Roscommon made one substitution at half time Gillian Dufficy coming in for Eilish Fannon. Roscommon dominated in all sectors of the field the back line playing extremely well in particular the experienced Amanda McLoone, Aisling and Sinead Kenny.

Within thirty seconds of the restart Martina Freyne had extended Roscommon’s lead with a well taken point. Three minutes later Freyne hit for her second point of the afternoon as she watched her excellently struck point curl over the bar from about thirty five meters out on the left hand side. Roscommon were dealt a blow as their corner back Nicole Dolan who had settled well into the game had to be replaced due to concussion after receiving a knock to the head, she was replaced by Rachel Brady. A Natalie McHugh free extended Roscommon’s lead to four in the forty second minute following a foul on Jenny Higgins. Then Roscommon hit for goal number three in the forty fifth minute, Natalie McHugh gathered possession out on the forty five meter line as she launched a high ball in towards the Limeick goal the Kilglass player received a heavy challenge after the ball was delivered, the referee allowed the advantage and Jenny Higgins was on hand to tap palm the ball into the Limerick net, McHugh also had to be replaced also due to concussion concerns following the late tackle on the Roscommon captain, she was replaced by Aoife Beades. Laura Flemming hit for two points in quick succession in the forty eight and ninth minutes extended the visitors lead to nine points. Further points Higgins fifty second minute  and Sheila Brady (who replaced Rebecca Finan in the fifty second minute) extended Roscommon lead to eleven with five to go. Martina Freyne hit for her third point of the day in the fifty seventh minute. Kate Kennedy got Limericks only score of the half with a sweet poin in the fifty ninth minute, but Jenny Downey put the dozen between the sides with a fine point in the second minute of injury time to leave a full time score of Roscommon 3-11 Limerick 2-02.

Roscommon Team: Carol Manning, Caroline Gunning, Amanda McLoone, Nicole Dolan,  Aishling McAuliffe, Rochelle Mullanney, Sinead Kenny, Laura Flemming (0-02), Caoileann Beirne, Alice Kelly, Eilish Fannon, Jenny Higgins (2-01), Rabecca Finan, Natalie McHugh (1-03,3frees), Martina Freyne (0-03).

Subs: Karin Roddy,  Aoife Beades, Sheila Brady(0-01), Gillian Dufficy, Tara Taylor, Rachel Brady, Bronagh McHugh, Joanne Cregg Jenny Downey(0-01).  

Player of the match:  Sinead Kenny the Roscommon wing back put in an excellent performance all afternoon ther was also superb performances from forwards Natalie McHugh, Jenny Higgins and Martina Freyne midfield Laura Flemming, backline Amanda McLoone, Aishling McAuliffe in the backline Carol Manning between the posts.  

Best for the homeside: Ingrid Laffan, Caroline Hickey, Mairead Kavanagh Stephanie Carroll

 Turning point: Carol Mannning’s excellent save just before halftime had this third goal gone in it could have made things much more difficult in the second half for the visitors.

 

What’s next? The Roscommon ladies take on Wexford in their final game of the group next Sunday afternoon where they will be pushing for another victory to keep the momentum going prior to their semi-final date which could be against the same opposition. The game will take place in Kiltoom at 2pm.

 

 

MCL Agri supplies Under 16 competition continues with round 4 results:

 

Last weekend saw MCL Agri Supplies & Spar Shop Lanesboro sponsored U16 round 4 take place on Sunday last. The following are the results to hand.

 

Round 4

 

Division 1:

St Mary’s Conc Clann nA nGael W/O,

St Brigid’s 6-15 St Dominics 3-06,

Boyle 7-09 Padraig Pearses 1-08

 

Division 2:

Elphin/Kilmore 1-14 Four Roads 0-04,

Castlerea 9-08 Kilbride 2-06,

Roscommon Gaels 3-05 Shannon Gaels 2-11.

 

Division 3:

St Barry’s 2-14 Eire Og 4=-8,

Strokestown 2-09 St Croans  1-02,

Western Gaels 4-04 St faithleahs 3-11.

 

Division 4:

St Michaels  5-07 Michael Glavey’s  1-10,

Oran 4-06  St Ciarans 9-16,

 

Fixtures:

 

The next set of fixtures which are the last round of group matches (round 5) in the U16 championship take place next Sunday at 4pm with the exception of division 4 which requires an extra round of group games. As usual first named team at home.

 

Division 1:

Clann nA nGael V Boyle,

St Dominics V St Mary’s ,

Padraig Pearses V St Brigid’s.

 

Division 2:

Castlerea V Four Roads,

Kilbride V Shannon Gaels.

Elphin/Kilmore V Roscommon Gaels

 

Division 3:

Eire Og V Strokestown,

Western Gaels V St Barry’s,

St Croans V St faithleahs.

 

Division 4:

Oran V Michael Glavey’s ,

St Ciarans V St Michaels .

 

Easter Camps:

 

Once again a reminder that Roscommon ladies board are delighted to announce that in conjunction with the men’s board will be running an Easter camp for both boys and girls at various venues across the county, on the12th, 13th 14th they will be hosted in Castlerea, St michaels and Hyde Park Roscommon, and the following week on the18th, 19th, 20th April they will be held in Michael glaveys (Ballinlough), St Brigids (Kiltoom), Clann nA nGael (Johnstown), Boyle and Kilglass Gaels Gaa grounds. These camps are for both boys and girls aged 6 to 14. In attendance will several inter county stars from both the men’s teams and the ladies teams will be in attendance.

Clubs are asked to forward names of coaches who maybe interested in helping out with the camps by forwarding an email to the county secretary. I will have more details in the weeks ahead but in the meantime keep an eye on social media for announcements.

 

Underage Update: 

It’s Champtionship time.

 

Believe it or not championship season has begun with matches taking place last weekend in Connacht at both U14 and Minor. Roscommon make their bow this Friday (31^st) when both the U14’s and the Minors play Leitrim in Leitrim in a double fixture at a venue not yet known but if you keep an eye on social media where we will update as soon as we have details. The best of luck to all involved as the quest for honors begin.

 

Training for all county underage teams continues on a regular basis as each squad builds up to their respective championships.

 

Other news:

U14’s:

Our U14’s are having a Table Quiz in Hannons Hotel on the 1st April at 9.pm to raise funds for the Co. U14 girls. Tables of 4, €40. There will also be a raffle on the night & spot prizes are welcome. Looking forward to support.

The U14 management are aslo pleased to announce that  Aishling feely of Boyle Gaa has been announced as our team captain. Abby Curran St brigids and Clodagh Powell clann na gael have been appointed as vice captains. The appointments followed a secret ballet of the 30 panel members and the results were ratified by the management team after another successful training session on Tuesday evening last.

The u14 management and players would like to thank the following for their ongoing cooperation and support 

St ciarians gaa

Castlerea community school

St brigids gaa 

Padraig pearses 

St dominics gaa

Marist college athlone 

Castlerea St kevins 

Kilbride community centre 

All the above have facilitated games and training through the use of their facilities . We would also like to Thank all who contributed to our recent predict the score fundraiser 

 

U16’s

 

Our U16’s travelled to Donegal for a very attractive challenge against the tir chonaill girls last Saturday. While the journey was long this was indeed the challenge the girls required at just the right time prior to championship kick off next month. A cracking contest played in four quarters ebbed and flowed with both sides having periods of dominance before the visitors (Roscommon) ran out winners by two points on a scoreline of 4-12 to 3-13.

The U16’s next challenge is against Cavan in Cavan on the 8^th of April next.

 

Fixtures for all inter county teams are now unloaded on the Connacht LGFA and our new Roscommon LGFA website. I will also make them available hear over the next couple of weeks. As stated the U14’s and the Minors will begin their campaign on 31^st March with away fixtures to Leitrim with u16’s not beginning till the 17^th April away to Galway.

 

Website:

 

We are delighted to announce that our brand new website is live and up and running with all information about squads, committees, rules and so on. It also contains all the weekly correspondence from the clubs, course information, all fixtures and results and all the news from the county squads and lots more. More features and details will be uploaded as in the coming weeks. Check it out at www.roscommonlgfa.ie and spread the word.

 

Notes:

Anyone wishing to have items published in our weekly notes please contact Ollie at his new pro address at pro.roscommon@lgfa.ie

Finally :

You can keep up with all the latest on our twitter and Facebook pages and as stated earlier check out our newly revamped website at www.roscommonlgfa.ie