St Pats Ladies Feast On Goals

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Ladies Intermediate Co Semi Final

St Patrick’s V Carnew 11/08/12

Venue: Pearse Park, Arklow

These two teams met in last years Junior Co Final when Carnew came out on top after a pulsating match in Blessington.  On the way to Pearse Park on Saturday afternoon we wondered if a repeat of that day was on the cards or if the ladies from St Pats could get one over on their great rivals.  With the sun making a late arrival this summer, it made for perfect conditions for a match, water bottles were in huge demand on both sides of the fence.   Referee Anthony Nolan got this game underway on time at 5pm, a good crowd had arrived to see the first of this years Semi-Finals.  As seems to be their tactic this year, St Pats started the stronger with an explosive first 7 minutes, racking up 2-2 without reply.  Corner forward Niamh O’Brien getting 2-1 and causing trouble in the inside forward line.  A turnover of possession in the Carnew half back line by St Pats saw Elaine Murphy stride up the pitch and set up a great goal for the ladies from the south west.  This was followed up with a long range point from Murphy, leaving the score after 13 minutes at 2-2 to 1-1.  The turning point of the game was the next 12 minutes of play where St Pats outscored Carnew by 2-5 to 0-1.  Some of the St Pats forward play was superb, with the two Laura’s – Leonard and Manley, directing play from midfield.  Carnew’s Captain Mary O’Neill was urging her team on from centre back but by half time the team from the Town were 14 points to the good.   Unfortunately for Carnew, the second half start was almost a carbon copy of the first with the prolific Niamh O’Brien scoring 2-2 inside the opening 9 minutes for Pats.  Carnew tried desperately to raise another green flag to get themselves back in the game but to no avail, the St Pats defence held firm.  The remainder of the second half saw the St Pats forwards continue to rack up the scores, with subs Megan Kelly (2-2) and Orfhlaith McNulty (1-2) making an impact off the bench.  The final score was St Pats 10-17 to Carnew’s 1-2, leaving St Pats in their third Co Final in a row where they will meet a strong Kilbride side who defeated Coolkenno in the other Semi Final.   A super team performance from St Pats with Niamh O’Brien, Sarah Delahunt and Sorcha Doyle all playing well, along with midfielder Laura Manley, who scored a massive 1-7 from play.  Carnew never gave up and battled right through to the end.  Perhaps with a different start to both halves they could have made this a closer contest but that was not to be – Elaine Murphy, Mary O’Neill and Aoife Rock all performed well under difficult circumstances.   So it’s on to another Co Final for Robert Hollingsworth and his team from the Town.  Having lost the last two finals I am sure St Pats will be eager to finally claim a coveted Championship crown.  Standing in their way is a strong, fit and determined Kilbride team.  Backboned by All Ireland winning Co Captain Catriona McKeown and the powerful running of Jenny Kilbride, this Intermediate Ladies Final will one match this year not to be missed – fixture details to be confirmed soon.