Roscommon school lose out in All Ireland semi final

Scoil Mhuire Strokestown’s brave attempts to reach a first All Ireland Senior C ladies football final since 2010 came up short.

The Roscommon side were defiant but were unable to cope with Coláiste Muire full forward Éabha O’Driscoll, who bagged 2-5 on the day.

Scoil Mhuire Strokestown were not overawed despite facing a Coláiste Muire side that had bagged a combined 36 goals in their six Championship games prior to this affair.

Jessica Lee point and Nicole McGinley scores helped the Roscommon school lead 0-3 to 0-1 after seven minutes.

Despite the Clare outfit seeing three guilt edged goal chances go abegging in the first half, they hit the front with a run of 1-3 without reply, with O’Driscoll netting in the 16th minute.

Scoil Mhuire Strokestown fired back with 1-2 of their own as Lee overturned the Coláiste Muire kickout before setting up Kate Murray to rifle home. But back came Coláiste Muire as Ria Meaney netted while from the next sequence of play.

The Roscommon school were dealt a blow when Sarah Keane was sin binned before O’Driscoll coolly slotted to the net with the final kick of the first half.

This helped Coláiste Muire lead 3-5 to 1-6 at half time. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Strokestown based school produced a gritty third quarter but kicked three wides during this period.

O’Driscoll almost made them pay when she rattled the crossbar with a goal attempt before Nicole McGinley tapped over a free. But Sophie Leahy hit back with a major for the Clare outfit.

Murray responded with a goal for Scoil Mhuire Strokestown but that was cancelled out by three Coláiste Muire points, two coming from O’Driscoll.

The Roscommon school battled until the end as Murray completed her hat trick by netting a close range free, but it was Coláiste Muire who secured their All Ireland final spot.

**Full report in Tuesday's Roscommon Herald**