Blues successful after the ‘goal rush’

St Loman's, Mullingar 4-5 St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 1-12

In a game that had more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel, St. Loman's recorded a memorable win against old foes St. Mary's in Rochfortbridge on Thursday evening last.

With more swings than golf, it was the Blues propensity for goals at crucial stages that won the day. While the Bridge outscored them 13 to nine, it was finding the net that propelled the visitors to the win here, while for St. Mary's it was an evening of missed chances. That being said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable game from start to finish and the skill levels from both sides were of the top drawer variety and it would be no surprise if they met again at a later date in championship '23.

The opening exchanges belonged to the Bridge and after six minutes they had as many scores with Kacey Geoghegan, Nicola Judge and two apiece from Michaela Brady and Megan Brick getting the home side off to a whirlwind start. And, indeed, they could have had a goal or two, but slowly St Loman's settled and reorganised. Ciara Blundell, from a narrow angle, got them off the mark on 13 minutes and she then converted a highly contested penalty to narrow the gap further. She soon added a beauty from play to leave the minimum between the sides at the end of the quarter.

It was to-and-fro for a bit before a brilliant solo run from Kate Kilmurray ended with a superb goal for St Loman's, who now led, but a series of bad St. Mary's wides ended with Megan Brick narrowing the gap to the minimum. But the final score of the half saw Vicky Carr point the score of the half to see St. Loman's leading by 2-3 to 0-7 at the break.

Fiona Coyle almost netted for the Bridge on the resumption, but saw her effort come back off the bar and Eileen Duffy punished them at the other end with a super strike. Rochfortbridge were not for lying down, though and after Brick converted another free, Nicola Judge ended a flowing, field-long move with a sublime finish to the net. Immediately St Loman's responded at the other end with Blundell netting a third major after a mesmerising run to take the advantage again, but straight back came Rochfortbridge with two Megan brick frees levelling the scores once again as we moved into the last 10 minutes.

When the latter added two more dead balls it seemed as if the Bridge had weathered the storm, but they could not sustain the pressure. And when Vicky Carr took the ball up around midfield she had only one thing on her mind. She slalomed through a tiring St Mary's defence to net the Blues' fourth goal.

Rochfortbridge had chances to level that passed them by and Katie Kilmurray converted a late free for St. Loman's after being fouled herself and it proved the final action in a thrilling game that stirred the emotions of players and spectators.

Scorers - St. Loman's: Ciara Blundell 2-2, Vicky Carr and Katie Kilmurray (1 free) 1-1, Aileen Duffy 0-1.

St. Mary's: Megan Brick 0-8 (6 frees), Nicola Judge 1-1, Michaela Brady 0-2, Kacey Geoghegan 0-1.

St. Loman's: Jane McKenna, Keelie Mulderry, Muireann Scally, Sandra McGrath, Lara McCartan, Megan Ennis, Ellen Kilmurray, Annie Kilmurray, Vicky Carr, Aileen Duffy, Caoimhe Kilmurray, Ciara Blundell, Shauna Traynor, Shannon Breslin and Katie Kilmurray. Subs: Laura Murphy for Breslin, Jayne Charles for Ellen Kilmurray.

St. Mary's: Keira Kelly, Lisa Flanagan, Aoife Moran, Rebecca Nolan, Jen Whelehan, Fiona Coyle, Niamh Carey, Ayesha Roche, Niamh McDermott, Ava Balfe, Jill Draper, Michaela Brady, Kacey Geoghegan, Nicola Judge, Megan Brick. Subs: Aoibhinn Berry for Carey (H/T), Emma Collins for Draper (52 mins), Orla Collins for Whelehan (57 mins).

Referee: Paul O’Malley (Killucan).