St Francis turn on the style against Drumkeerin in second half

A powerful second half performance from St Francis saw them into the Gotham Dry Wall LGFA Intermediate Final after they had to work extremely hard to see off the challenge of an impressive Drumkeerin last Sunday in Philly McGuinness Park.

St Francis beat the north Leitrim women by eight points earlier in the group stages but for most of the first half, it looked as if Drumkeerin would take the verdict as they bossed proceedings everywhere on the field but on the scoreboard.

That cost them as, leading by a point at the break, they saw their lead wiped out early in the second half when St Francis finally hit form as the scores began to rain down.

St Francis had already taken control of the contest when  Shyneece Gallagher, so impressive for Drumkeerin was sin-binned and that told the tale, the Drumshanbo & Ballinaglera women outscoring Drumkeerin 1-7 to a point during her ten minutes off the field.

Drumkeerin cut the gap back to five points with ten minutes to go but St Francis were always able to hold them at arm's length.

The St Francis team who defeated Drumkeerin Picture: Willie Donnellan

Niamh McDonagh opened the scoring for St Francis inside the first minute from a free but it was Drumkeerin who were soon on top, Niamh McPartland answering with a free before Laura McGee profited when Drumkeerin won a throw-ball, a pass over the top and McGee scored with the possibility of a goal.

Both sides were creating chances, Drumkeerin more so than St Francis but they went two clear on 15 minutes when a strong run and nice sidestep from Shyneece Gallagher saw her fire over an excellent point but five minutes later, Aine Flood converted a free to cut the gap back to one.

Michelle Monaghan did well to intercept a ball ahead of Natasha Kelly before Anna Hazlett scored a lovely point to restore Drumkeerin’s two point lead. Again St Francis responded, a McDonagh free leaving the halftime score at 0-4 to 0-3 in favour of a Drumkeerin side who dominated large spells but couldn’t show it on the scoreboard.

That proved costly as St Francis came out a different team in the second half and after two early wides, they took the lead with points from Ailish Cornyn and Niamh McDonagh (free). Drumkeerin drew with a good Niamh Kelly point after an interception from Sarah Feeney.

But two Aine Flood points, one after a great move and the second from a free, put St Francis two ahead before Shyneece Gallagher was handed a yellow card for a heavy foul on Ailish Cornyn, Flood converting a free to leave Drumkeerin three behind and a player short for ten minutes.

The Drumkeerin team who were defeated by St Francis Picture: Willie Donnellan

Drumkeerin did pull back a point from a McPartland free but the game changed on 43 minutes when a great run from Lauryn McKeon cut open the Drumkeerin defence, her pass found Niamh McDonagh and her close range finish under pressure found the net to open up a five point gap.

That seemed to release the pressure on St Francis and they took off with Flood (3), Cornyn and Clara Fee all scoring points with a good Sarah Feeney point in response. 

However, Drumkeerin gave themselves a lifeline as, with Gallagher back on the field, when a foul on the impressive Natasha Kelly on her way through led to a penalty expertly converted by Ella McNamara. But Drumkeerin were unable to build on the goal with only a Niamh McPartland free reducing the gap to five points.

Forced to press up the field, Drumkeerin’s defence was caught out of place as another McKeon break released Niamh McDonagh for a second goal two minutes from time. Natasha Kelly hit Drumkeerin’s last point but St Francis finished with scores from Cornyn and Alannah O’Dowd to seal their victory.

Niamh McDonagh's finishing was crucial in a game much closer than the scoreline suggests. Ailish Cornyn, Lauryn McKeon, Niamh Morahan, Aoife Nolan, & Aine Flood all impressed for St Francis. For Drumkeerin, Shyneece Gallagher, Sarah Feeney, Ella & Niamh McPartland and Anna Hazlett caught the eye in a very competitive effort from the north Leitrim women

St Francis take on Dromahair in the Intermediate Final on Saturday October 5

ST FRANCIS

Scorers: Niamh McDonagh 2-3, 3f; Aine Flood 0-7, 4f; Ailish Cornyn 0-3; Clara Fee & Alannah O’Dowd 0-1 each

Team: Michelle Monaghan, Mairead Flood, Rachel McLoughlin, Edel O’Donnell, Annette Prior, Niamh Morahan, Amy Moran, Lauryn McKeon, Eimear Gibbons, Aoife Nolan, Ailish Cornyn, Clara Fee, Niamh McDonagh, Aine Flood, Katy Foley. Subs: Alannah O’Dowd for Foley (HT)

DRUMKEERIN

Scorers: Niamh McPartland 0-3, 3f; Ella McNamara 1-0, pen; Natasha Kelly 0-2; Sarah Feeney, Shyneece Gallagher, Anna Hazlett & Laura McGee 0-1 each

Team: Niamh Ryan, Ellen Gallagher, Charlene Maguire, Natasha McTiernan, Ciara Fallon, Sarah Feeney, Shyneece Gallagher, Shone Wynne, Anna Hazlett, Shannon O’Grady, Ella McNamara, Kayla Maguire, Laura McGee, Niamh McPartland, Natasha Kelly. Subs: Aoife Ryan for L McGee (30)

Referee: TP McLoughlin