Roche goal crucial in St Mary's victory over Killucan

St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 1-9, Killucan 1-6

In fine, sunny conditions at Killucan on Thursday, 15 August, St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge emerged victorious in a gripping encounter, surviving a late onslaught to defeat a spirited Killucan side. Despite the eventual three-point margin, the visitors were made to work hard for their win, with the home team pushing them all the way.

The game began at a lively pace, with the opening ten minutes producing seven points. St Mary’s claimed four of those, with Megan Brick leading the charge, converting three frees, and Michaela Brady adding another from play. Killucan responded through Maedbh Monaghan, who notched two fine points, and a Cailín Raleigh free to keep the sides level at 0-4 apiece after 13 minutes.

St Mary’s edged ahead again when Ava Balfe was fouled, allowing Megan Brick to convert another free. Brick then extended the lead further, pointing from play after a slick team move, before Balfe forced her way through to add another. However, Killucan kept in touch, and Raleigh’s pointed free in added time left just two points between the sides at the break, with St Mary’s leading by 0-7 to 0-5.

The second half saw Killucan continue their tenacious play, with Maria Kelly reducing the deficit to one with a pointed free seven minutes in. However, a goal for St Mary’s had been looming, and it finally arrived in the 44th minute. A long ball in was perfectly laid off to the onrushing Ayesha Roche, who powered through the centre and finished emphatically to the net. Earlier, a goal for Nicola Judge was controversially disallowed for a square ball, a marginal call that left the visitors aggrieved.

Despite this setback, Killucan refused to back down. After a crucial save from Aoife O'Donnell, St Mary’s extended their lead to five points with a score from Ava Balfe. Yet Killucan finished the stronger side, and their efforts were rewarded when substitute Shelly Doyle created a goal chance, which Ellen Shaw converted after an initial save from Dawn Wallace. With four minutes remaining, Killucan had the momentum, and a superb move involving Ellen Shaw and Hannah Core saw the unmarked Orla Quinn with a golden opportunity. However, Wallace was quick off her line to make a decisive save, denying Killucan the equaliser.

St Mary’s sealed the win in the final minute of normal time when Elizabeth Carey scored a neat left-footed point. While the game may not have been of the highest standard, it was undeniably fascinating. St Mary’s, favourites heading into the match, were tested throughout, particularly in the final quarter, but ultimately held on for the victory. Killucan, led by an immense all-round effort from Hannah Core, can take pride in their performance, as their refusal to accept defeat kept the contest alive until the very end.

Scorers - St Mary’s: M Brick 0-5 (4f), A Roche 1-0, A Balfe 0-2, M Brady and E Carey 0-1 each.

Killucan: E Shaw 1-0, M Monaghan 0-3 (1f), C Raleigh 0-2 (2f), M Kelly 0-1 (f).

St Mary’s: Dawn Wallace; Rebecca Nolan, Amy Cully, Lisa Flanagan; Becky Scally, Aoife Brady, Ayesha Roche; Niamh McDermott, Fiona Coyle; Michaela Brady, Caitriona Dunne, Kacey Geoghegan; Ava Balfe, Nicola Judge, Megan Brick. Subs: Elizabeth Carey for K Geoghegan, Niamh Carey for B Scally, Lucy Brogan for A Cully, Orla Collins for C Dunne, Emma Collins for N Judge.

Killucan: Aoife O’Donnell; Rebecca O’Neill, Jade McKeogh, Cathay Doyle; Aisling Doyle, Caoimhe Brady, Hannah Core; Aoife O’Malley, Maria Kelly; Sian Weir Hall, Amelia Shaw, Ellen Shaw; Cailín Raleigh, Meadbh Monaghan, Fiona Leavy. Subs: Orla Quinn for M Monaghan, Shelly Doyle for C Brady.

Ref: Jim Rock (Coralstown/Kinnegad).