TG4 Ladies SFC 3A Roundup

By Daragh Ó Conchúir

Two goals from 17-year-old Ciara McAnespie propelled Monaghan to surprise one-point victory over Galway in Clones yesterday afternoon to claim one of the last three remaining quarter-final places up for grabs ahead of the weekend’s final phase of the TG4 Ladies All-Ireland SFC round-robin series.

The Farney women survived a very late scare to win 3-9 to 2-11 as Aoibheann Daly powered through but took a point with her side needing a goal.

Owen McNally’s team led at the interval by 2-5 to 1-6 courtesy of goals from outstanding centre-forward Niamh Kindlon and a well-converted penalty by the precocious McAnespie.

Galway, handicapped by the absence of Niamh Fahey due to international soccer commitments, kept in touch courtesy of an Annette Clarke goal and when Helen McHugh hit the net almost immediately after the resumption, it was looking good for the westerners as they moved four points clear.

They could not shake off their resolute opponents however and the speedy McAnespie, whose mother Brenda won two All-Irelands with Monaghan in the ’90s, raced clear to strike the match-winning goal five minutes from time.

Mayo and Dublin had already qualified out of Group 1 but with the history between the sides, this was far from a dead rubber. Dublin began well with two early points but Mayo dominated the remainder of the half thanks to five Cora Staunton points and a Diane O’Hora goal to lead at the interval 1-8 to 0-3.

Dublin provided a much stiffer challenge after the resumption but wasted numerous scoring opportunities, while at the other end Staunton finished with a tally of nine points to secure a 1-13 to 0-10 success.

Meanwhile Waterford will go into the relegation play-off after losing to Kerry. The Kingdom overturned their Munster championship reverse to the Déise on a 2-11 to 1-6 scoreline.

Sarah O’Connor showed what a loss she had been to the Kingdom by weighing in with 1-4, while Geraldine O’Shea also goaled. Michelle Ryan goaled for Waterford but they could only manage one point in the second half.

Results

Group 1: Mayo 1-13 Dublin 0-10; Kerry 2-11 Waterford 1-6

Group 2: Monaghan 3-9 Galway 2-11