Minor ladies’ footballers power their way into All-Ireland final
Laura Glennon produced a Player of the Match performance for the Roscommon minor ladies' footballers against Down at Kingspan Breffni on Thursday evening. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
The Roscommon minor ladies’ footballers produced a superb performance to reach the county’s first All-Ireland Minor A final since 1991 after comfortably disposing of Down in perfect conditions at Kingspan Breffni on Thursday evening.
Led by wing-forward Laura Glennon who accounted for 1-8, it was a hugely impressive, controlled performance from the Connacht champions who absorbed the disappointment of conceding a third minute penalty to dominate the remainder of the match and run out comfortable winners.
Afterwards, manager Trevor Clohessy talked about his players wanting more than a provincial crown, and they were as good as their word by coming up with a mature and skillful performance that floored the Ulster champions.
Roscommon made the worst possible start by conceding a penalty in the third minute.
Hannah Cassin’s precise pass found Evie McHugh, who was fouled, and Clodagh Simpson made no mistake from the penalty spot.
But Roscommon quickly warmed to their task, helped by the excellence of Georgia Gerrity at wing-back, the strong running of captain Shauna McGrath, the accuracy of Lily Finneran from kickouts, the tenacity of Esmae Halpin in defence, and the ability of Rachel Flynn to carry possession with intent.
Two frees from Laura Glennon settled the Connacht champions before Aoife Creevy drew a point blank save out of Down goalkeeper Cadhla Faloon.
At the second attempt, Flynn and Laura McSharry combined from a ’45, with Flynn bisecting the post to bring the sides level.
Down’s shooting was wayward, and although McHugh ended a 17-minute scoring famine to edge her side back in front, Roscommon finished the last ten minutes impressively.
Glennon replied instantly to bring the sides level before McGrath thundered an effort against the crossbar, although the ball was recycled to allow the Northern Harps player to put her side in front for the first time.
Glennon nailed her third free of the half — this time from the right flank — but, incredibly, two goals in quick succession left Roscommon in a brilliant position.
Pressure on Faloon resulted in a turnover, and Flynn kept her cool to find the net in the 27th minute.
Then, a brilliant interception by the impressive Esmae Halpin saw Roscommon work the ball the length of the field where Vivienne Gannon had the presence of mind to play a brilliant crossfield ball into the path of Glennon who finished emphatically to the net, handing her side an impressive 2-6 to 1-1 interval lead.
Crucially, Roscommon scored the opening four points of the second half as they controlled the tempo before picking their moments to strike.
A pair of Glennon frees were followed by points from Flynn and Aoife Creevy to move the Primrose and Blue girls 13 points ahead.
Some superb defensive work denied Down a possible route to recovery, and although Hannah Cassin and Clodagh Simpson scored some nice points from play for the Mourne girls, another brilliantly-worked goal, which was finished by Vivienne Gannon, rounded off a brilliant evening for Roscommon.
With the county’s U-16 and now minor ladies’ footballers in All-Ireland finals, the county intermediate ladies’ footballers have the chance to make it a hat-trick when they meet Westmeath in their All-Ireland semi-final at the same venue on Sunday next.
ROSCOMMON: L. Finneran; E. Halpin, M. Finneran, A. McCormack; C. Trautt, L. McSharry, G. Gerrity; S.J. O’Connor, R. Higgins; L. Glennon (1-8 six frees), R. Flynn (1-2), A. Creevy (0-1); V. Gannon (1-0), I. Kenny (0-1), S. McGrath (0-1). Subs used: C. Mulryan for McCormack (temporary sub, 4-7 mins), C. Mulryan for Trautt (28 mins), S. Meghen for Flynn (44 mins), S.K. Goode for A. Creevy (50 mins), G. Moran for McGrath (56 mins), G. Sweeney for Higgins (60 mins).
DOWN: C. Faloon; A. McArdle, E. McCabe, M. Boyle; A. McGivern, H. Cassin (0-2), L. Elmore (0-1); M. Murdock, O. Mulholland; A. McEvoy, O. Owens (0-1), G. Gordon; I. McCarron, E. McHugh (0-2), C. Simpson (1-2, 1-0 penalty). Subs used: M. McCann for Faloon (half-time), K. Toner for McGivern (34 mins), C. Connolly for Mulholland (39 mins), C. McAloon for Gordon (50 mins), O. Cooley for Simpson (56 mins).
Referee: D. Hurson (Monaghan).
