Raharney's goals undo Lough Lene Gaels

Raharney's four goals proved to be the all important difference between themselves and Lough Lene Gaels in their semi-final meeting played at St. Loman's (Lakepoint) G.A.A.Grounds on Saturday evening, August 22nd. However, with 20 minutes of the contest elapsed, breeze assisted Raharney only led by a margin of three points, which must have been a little worrying for the Raharney team management. However the Blues, who are seeking to complete a three-in-a-row sequence in 2009, hit two goals in the closing 10 minutes of the first half. Raharney led by a margin of nine points at half time.The second 20 minutes of the second half saw Raharney's attacking efforts thwarted by excellent defending on the part of Lough Lene Gaels. In fact the Blues failed to obtain as much as a single score during the phase of play in question. However, Lough Lene Gaels were not making any major inroads on Raharney's match lead either, the Blues defensive cover proving too strong for the best efforts of the Lough Lene Gaels attackers. In fact, the only score that came in the 20 minutes of action after half time, was a pointed free for Lough Lene Gaels.With 10 minutes of normal playing time remaining, Raharney ended their second half scoring drought by notching their third goal. There was now no way back for Lough Lene Gaels. The defending champions went on to run out very convincing winners.Raharney opened match scoring inside the opening minute of play, Pamela Greville firing over a point from a 45m award. The defending champions went on to double their lead shortly afterwards, Pamela Greville striking over a point directly from a 40m free. Aisling Doyle then fired wide for the Blues before Lough Lene Gaels slowly, but steadily started to settle themselves into the contest.During one of the first attacking moves of note in the contest by Lough Lene Gaels, Raharney goalkeeper Louise Flynn had an attempted clearance blocked down by Ciara Cosgrave. But Lough Lene Gaels were unable to avail of the situation, Raharney's No. 3 Sandra Greville picking up possession of the ball, and striking a telling clearance. Raharney went on to increase their lead in their next attacking move, Pamela Greville hitting over a point from a 25m free.With a little over 20 minutes of play elapsed, and with just three points dividing the teams, Raharney struck for their opening goal. It came about when Elaine Finn sent the ball all the way to the Lough Lene Gaels net with a 40m shot, the ball just dropping under the crossbar. Lough Lene Gaels were not unduly dispirited by the conceding of that goal to Raharney, the Purple and Gold's pushing forward as they looked to open their scoring account.Lough Lene Gaels put in motion one very good attacking move in particular, the ball breaking nicely to Veronica Kiernan. The Lough Lene Gaels No. 11 saw her superb low, angled first time shot superbly saved by Louise Flynn, who dived sharply to her left to prevent the conceding of a goal. The ball was cleared away by the Raharney defence. From that clearance, Raharney moved into attack, increasing their lead with a point from Elaine Finn.As Raharney looked to increase their lead in the closing minutes of the first half, Amy Dunne played the ball towards the Lough Lene Gaels goalmouth. The ball broke to Carol Finch, whose low first time net bound shot was saved by Joanne Williams. But the ball broke back to the Raharney No. 15, who scored her teams second goal at the second attempt. Pamela Greville then fired wide for Raharney from an acute angle. Lough Lene Gaels then notched their opening score of the semi-final, Joanne Walsh shooting over a point from a close range free. The first half action finished with Amy Dunne firing wide for Raharney.Half time score: Raharney 2-04, Lough Lene Gaels 0-1.Scores were not easy to obtain in the early stages of the second half, defences were generally on top. Lough Lene Gaels needed scores if they were to play their way back into contention.However, a regular supply of the ball was not making it's way into the ownership of the Lough Lene Gaels attackers. Furthermore, Raharney's defence was very strong, and any Lough Lene Gaels attacker that did gain possession of the ball in the early stages of the second half quickly found the options available to her somewhat limited.After Elaine Finn had fired wide for Raharney, it was Lough Lene Gaels who opened second half scoring at it's midway point, Joanne Walsh notching a point from a free. Carol Finch then fired wide for Raharney from a good scoring position after she had picked up possession of the ball following a free that was taken by Elaine Finn. Pamela Greville (free), then fired wide for Raharney. With ten minutes of normal playing time remaining, Raharney notched their opening score of the second half, Aisling Doyle rifling the ball through a very crowded Lough Lene Gaels goalmouth to the back of the net to claim her teams third goal.Pamela Greville (free), hit over a further point for Raharney before Elaine Finn fired wide for the Deelside Blue from a good scoring position after she had received an excellent pass from Pamela Greville. Lough Lene Gaels then put a very good attacking move in motion. The ball came into the possession of Celeste Dermody, whose well struck parting net bound shot was superbly saved by Louise Flynn. The ball was subsequently cleared away by the Raharney defence.Lough Lene Gaels then notched their third point of the contest, a superb point form Orla Doolin, fired over from a very tight angle. Raharney's Pamela Greville then struck for her teams fourth goal, the ball from her dipping shot entering the Lough Lene Gaels net via the hurley of goalkeeper Joanne Williams. Raharney substitute Jean Flanagan then fired over a point for her team before the same player shot wide moments later. Lough Lene Gaels made every effort to add to their tally in the closing stages of play. But it was Raharney who closed match scoring. Jean Flanagan striking over a point.Final score: Raharney 4-7, Lough Lene Gaels 0-3.Raharney: Louise Flynn, Olive Carey, Sandra Greville, Jacinta Goonery, Andrienna Doyle, Elizabeth Shaw, Fiona Leavy, Elaine Finn (1-1), Helen Weir, Aisling Doyle (1-0), Lisa Burke, Pamela Greville (1-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45m award), Amy Dunne, Tanya Goss and Carol Finch (1-0). Subs: Karen Shields for Tanya Goss; Jean Flanagan (0-2) for Helen Weir).Lough Lene Gaels: Joanne Williams, Elizabeth Hannon, Sheila Carroll, Sinéad Lynch, Aisling Conaty, Joanne Walsh (0-2 frees), Sinéad Sheridan, Gemma Egan, Shauna Briody, Michelle Murtagh, Veronica Kiernan, Orla Doolin (0-1), Ciara Cosgrave, Caitriona Murtagh and Celeste Dermody. Subs: Nadina Grace for Shauna Briody; Niamh Lynch for Sinéad Sheridan.Referee: Declan Hogan.