Clann na nGael and Boyle get the nod for final fling
ON A MISSION: Saoirse Wynne and her Boyle team-mates are looking to return to the county senior ladies' football final for the first time in three years when they tackle Éire Óg in next Sunday's semi-final. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
For many onlookers, St. Brigid’s and Boyle appeared to be on a collision course for places in the county final. That feeling only became more pronounced after their epic final round group game.
However, St. Dominic’s produced a sensational ambush to down St. Brigid’s last time out with a thoroughly deserved 4-10 to 2-10 victory.
Kaitlyn Egan’s name will pop up regularly in the Clann dressing room after the wing-forward bagged a hat trick against the reigning champions. Orla O’Neill or Ruth Finless may be handed the unenviable task of trying to curb Egan’s supply of possession and path to goal.
St. Dominic’s ran themselves to a standstill as they arrived with the perfect mindset for knockout football on Sunday week last. That will likely be the way they continue as Lilly Murray, Caroline Dowling and Hannah O’Connor will once more need to empty the tank while Aoife Gavin will need another game where she kicks clutch scores at critical junctures if St. Dominic’s are to get the better another side from the south of the county.
Clann secured a facile 15-point victory over St. Dominic’s in their final group game. However, it is hard to imagine that encounter will have much bearing on Sunday’s showing as Clann’s focus will be firmly fixed on improving upon their showing against a gritty St. Barry’s side in the quarter-finals.
Caoimhe Lennon kicked four points from play, but her cousin Róise was a notable absentee in a game where Clann mixed brilliance with basic mistakes.
St. Dominic’s have closed the gap significantly from that group game, but Clann’s big game experience may see them edge through to another decider.
Since the start of the championship, Boyle have been tipped to reach their first county final since 2023. The North Roscommon side are backboned by a healthy dollop of All-Ireland winners with Saoirse Wynne, Aisling Feely, Ruth Cox and Megan McKeon able to bend any game to their will.
Roisín Wynne and Caoimhe Cregg would make any team in the county, with the latter continuing to gain valuable game-time after her knee injury last year. Micheala Ward excelled against St. Ciaran’s with four points from play while Isabelle King is a suitable anchor for the Boyle defence.
Éire Óg enter this contest as underdogs but they will take confidence from their four successive championship wins. They have only conceded one goal in this year’s campaign with their run to the last four built of their defensive solidity.
Former county player, Rebecca Finan, who was part of the Roscommon U-16 LGFA management team that helped the county win the All-Ireland B title, continues to be their scorer-in-chief.
The sharpshooter slotted over 0-10 in her side’s quarter-final win over Shannon Gaels, with seven of those scores coming from play. Boyle will likely double and, at times, triple up on Finan. Stopping her route to goal will be their number one priority.
Amanda Creighton will need to replicate her showing against Shannon Gaels, particularly with Ruth Cox and Gráinne Sweeney to contend with in midfield.
Éire Óg possess the defensive solidity to frustrate any team in the county but Boyle’s quality and guile throughout the park can see them secure a route back to the biggest day in the local club calendar.
