Dominic’s draw the highlight on opening day of senior ladies’ football championship
Aoife Gavin (middle), seen here in action against Clann na nGael during last year's county semi-final, kicked 0-6 from play for St. Dominic's against the same opposition earlier today.
St. Dominic’s credible draw with Clann na nGael was the big story on the opening weekend of the Roscommon LGFA senior championship.
When the sides met in last year’s county semi-final, Clann prevailed by a whopping 25 points, but it was a different story earlier today in Johnstown as Dominic’s earned a deserved share of the spoils, 0-11 apiece, thanks to a tour-de-force from Aoife Gavin.
The St. Dominic’s full-forward kicked six points from play and almost single-handedly hauled her side back into the contest when they trailed by 0-9 to 0-3 after 41 minutes.
The home side led 0-4 to 0-2 at the break, but a third quarter surge put them in the driving seat. But Gavin kicked a number of eyecatching scores, and although Clann na nGael will rue a missed penalty from Róise Lennon — albeit there was a consolation of a point for the Clann number 14 from the rebound after St. Dominic’s Ellen Cafferkey saved the initial spot kick — Dominic’s had the last say when Aimee O’Connor restored parity in injury time.
Reigning champions, Boyle, made a winning start, seeing off Kilbride by 4-12 to 2-4 in Kilbride.
The loss of Aisling Hanly, Aisling Shanagher and Fiona Tully through injury during the game severely hampered the Mid-Roscommon side’s chances of causing an upset.
A goal from Hanly had helped Kilbride into a 1-2 to 0-3 early on, but goals from Emma Duggan, Aimee Roddy and Nicole Kerins catapulted Boyle into a 3-7 to 1-3 interval advantage.
Aisling Shanagher gave her side some hope with a goal inside a minute of the restart, but the outstanding Kerins rifled home a fourth Boyle goal, following a superb run from Saoirse Wynne, to hand Pat Leonard’s side a winning start to the defence of their title.
In Croghan, league champions, St. Brigid’s, edged out Shannon Gaels by 3-10 to 2-9.
Goals from Marian and Kate Nolan ensured that the visitors were level at the break.
A goal from Michaela Dunne put Shannon Gaels ahead, but Brigid’s replied with an unanswered 1-4 to ensure their campaign started on a winning note.
