15 November 2006 Naomh Mearnóg/St Sylvesters 3-14 Lisnaskea 4-1 Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Naomh Mearnóg/St Sylvesters 3-14 Lisnaskea 4-1 Congratulations to the combined ladies team on reaching the All Ireland Intermediate Final – Nov 26th or Dec 3rd – against Inch Rovers, Cork – watch for details and plan to make this a big day out for all the Syls/Mearnóg support. Lisnaskea Emmets were the opponents who were on a high after winning their first ever Fermanagh senior championship and then going on to win the Ulster Intermediate club championship. That victory was over Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh who had six players on the Armagh senior panel which came very very close to winning the All-Ireland senior championship in early October. Lisnaskea themselves had six players on the Fermanagh senior team so a difficult contest was anticipated. Syls/Mearnóg had the aid of a very strong wind in the first half so a big lead was going to be required by half-time. Syls/Mearnóg began well with early points from Deirdre McGill and Emma Dunne. A goal from Lisnaskea’s most dangerous forward, Caroline Little, came out of the blue and one sensed that a major struggle was on hand. Three points in a row from the sweet left boot of Katie Slattery restored the lead to Syls/Mearnóg and a goal in the 15th minutes from Sinead Aherne stretched the lead to 6 points. All seemed to be going to plan but a ten minute period without a score by either side followed. The play was becoming quite physical at this stage as Lisnaskea ‘dug in’ in defence. Syls/Mearnóg shot some poor wides but space was at a premium in a crowded Lisnaskea half of the field which led to shooting under pressure by the forwards. A third Deirdre McGill point in the 26th minute broke the scoring deadlock and a further four points followed before half-time to give Syls/Mearnóg a lead of 1-11 to 1-00. An 11 point half-time lead looked sufficient despite the strong breeze unless Lisnaskea were to go on a goal spree. A good start was essential for them and they didn’t disappoint their large group of supporters with a first-minute goal. Syls/Mearnóg responded with a great attacking move which saw them strike the crossbar and post but no score resulted. Lisnaskea returned to their opponent’s half of the field and went very close to scoring another goal but for a finger-tip save by the goalkeeper, Cliodhna O’Connor, which kept out a Lisnaskea shot which looked to be about to cross the goal-line. She rose to deliver a pass to one of her colleagues and a sweeping move along the left wing with some brilliant passing saw Karen Kennedy finish to the net. Katie Slattery followed with a point and the storm had been weathered, or so it seemed. The play had continued to be on the rough side as the referee allowed a lot of physical contact which resulted in pulling and dragging, particularly from the home side. Retaliation led to Syls/Mearnóg being reduced to 14 players mid way through the half and afurther sin-binning soon afterwards left 13 players to face the onslaught. For all Lisnaskea’s possession, they were unable to get the necessary scores as the Syls/Mearnóg defence stood firm and the attack always threatened to score on the break. Lisnaskea did get two late goals but Karen Kennedy countered with one for Syls/Mearnóg and it was all too late for Lisnaskea. This was a fine all-round performance by Syls/Mearnóg and they played controlled passing football throughout. There was great support once again from the Sylvesters U-11 squads who played two games beforehand against local schools (and won both). Thanks to Eddie and Ann Ó Mordha and the parents who travelled. Thanks also to the large number of club members who travelled and made themselves heard throughout the game. Scorers: K Kennedy (2-01), S Aherne (1-02), D McGill (0-05), K Slattery (0-04), E Dunne (0-01) and K Joyce (0-01). The All-Ireland final will be against Inch Rovers of Cork who had acomfortable victory over Parnells (London) in London. Inch Rovers have had impressive results in the series too so another tight Cork/Dublin struggle this year in women’s football is expected. So far, Cork lead 2-1, the one being Dublin’s U-16 All-Ireland victory captained by Niamh McEvoy. The game will be at a neutral venue on Sunday, 26th Nov or Sun, 3rd Dec. Details are expected to be finalised by Croke Park during the week. Conlon ,Ainne Brennan ; Team Management; Barry Cooney, Mike Kirwan, Gerry Moran. Share this Article 0 0