All-Star Match report

ALL-STAR MATCH REPORT

2004 ALL-STARS 4-15 2005 ALL-STARS 1-9

CORA STAUNTON inspired the 2004 TG4 O’Neill’s Ladies
Football All Stars to a comprehensive victory over their 2005
counterparts at the Polo club grounds in Singapore yesterday.
The Mayo star registered a personal tally of 2-8, with all but
one point coming from play.

Due to the heat, which was over 30 degrees at times, the ladies
game was played over four ten minute quarters and proved a huge
attraction with local TV crews turning up on the day. A number
of the travelling party failed to play because of injury so players
from the local Singapore Lions Gaelic Football club, who hosted
the event, were drafted in to act as subs.

Earlier in the day, Ladies Gaelic Football President Geraldine
Giles played in a special seven-a-side match while there was also
an International Rules and a Polo game on the programme of events.
“It was extremely warm out there but at the same time there
was a lot of good football played. It was a great occasion and
we are delighted to have got the win,” said Staunton.

Galway’s Lorna Joyce opened the day’s scoring with
a well taken point to put the 2005 side ahead inside the opening
minute. Staunton replied for the 2004 side moments later before
the impressive Niamh Fahey fired home the game’s opening
goal for the 2005 team. She almost grabbed a second within minutes
but the Irish soccer international shot narrowly wide.

That miss seemed to stir the 2004 side to life as they hit three
successive points – from Staunton (2) and Cork’s Valerie
Mulcahy – to leave the sides level once more. However, Fahey
replied with a point to leave the 2005 team one in the ascendancy
at the end of the first quarter, 1-2 to 0-4. But the momentum
swung firmly in favour of the 2004 team in the second period when
they added 3-3 compared to 2005’s return of just three points.
“We had a simple game plan and that was to put the ball in
quickly to our three inside forwards because we knew that if we
did that they had the ability to get scores,” said 2004 boss
Michael Ryan. “It was very warm so a running game wouldn’t
have worked out there. It was a great occasion and there was some
tremendous football on show – and that really is the most
important thing.”

2005 goalkeeper Una Carroll pulled off a tremendous save from
Bernie Finlay four minutes into the second quarter – but
she was left helpless moments later when Mary Nevin pounced to
poke home from a blocked shot. It got worse for the 2005 team
in the closing two minutes of the period when they conceded two
more goals – both coming from the boot of Staunton after
sweeping moves up field. Christina Heffernan, Bronagh O’Donnell
and Finlay also showed well for the 2004 team, while Annette Clarke
and Claire Egan dominated midfield. Carroll, Aoibheann Daly, Joyce,
Fahey and Geraldine Doherty impressed for the 2005 outfit.

In a low scoring third quarter, Staunton continued to lead the
way with two further points while Joyce and Katrina Connolly added
a brace for the 2005 side to leave the score at 3-9 to 1-6 entering
the final quarter. The 2005 side, managed by Leitrim’s Deirdre
Quinn, went in search of goals in the last period but they were
met with a brick wall as the 2005 defence held solid. Geraldine
Doherty hit two points for the 2005 team while Lyndsay Davey also
hit one, but at the other end the 2004 outfit added a further
1-6 – including a great individual point by Mulcahy. Staunton
and Sinead Ahern got one apiece – while Nevin registered
all of the rest – including her side’s fourth goal which
proved to be the last kick of the ball.

2004 ALL STARS: C O’Connor; C Reilly, R Buckley, G Ni Fhlatharta;
B O’Donnell, L Keegan, M O’Donnell; A Clarke, C Egan;
C Heffernan, B Finlay, M Nevin (2-3); V Mulcahy (0-2), S Ramsbottom,
C Staunton (2-8, 1f). Subs: S Aherne (0-2); M O’Neill
2005 ALL STARS: U Carroll; S Treacy, A Walsh, L Tector; B Corkery,
A Daly, G Fay; M Downey; J Murphy; N Doherty (0-1), G Doherty
(0-2), L Davey (0-1); L Tully, N Fahey (1-1), L Joyce (0-3, 1f).
Subs: K Connolly (0-1); E Gormley
REFEREE: T Clarke (Dublin)

Further information: Donal Keenan 087 1242222