Glennon fires Pearses ladies to intermediate glory

Laura Glennon fired Pádraig Pearses to Hannon’s Hotel LGFA intermediate championship glory as John Whyte’s side triumphed by 3-14 to 1-8 against Kilbride at Mulhern Park, Fuerty, on Saturday afternoon.

The Roscommon minor star hit 1-10 in a Player of the Match performance as the winners kept a third quarter revival from Kilbride at bay.

There were also excellent performances on the Pearses side from midfielder Sarah Dooley, wing-forward Esme Halpin, wing-backs Roisín O’Sullivan and Katie Malone, and corner-forward Katelyn Keogh.

Pearses had one hand at the trophy at the break, leading by 1-10 to 0-3 after playing with the wind.

They won a number of crucial turnovers, with one of them leading to Glennon’s goal in the 15th minute.

Kilbride stayed a few minutes longer than their opponents in the dressing room at half time, and it appeared to work as Aisling Hanly took centre stage. 

The Roscommon forward hit 1-4 — her goal coming from a penalty — while Eilish Hanly also found the target to leave just four points between the teams at the three-quarter stage.

But Pearses steadied the ship as Glennon stepped up to the plate with a much-needed score from a "tap and go".

Pressure on the Kilbride kickout subsequently yielded a rich harvest as substitute Caitlin Malone and Katelyn Keogh added goals to ensure that the South Roscommon side made up for last year’s defeat in the decider against Northern Harps.

*Match report in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald.