Gormley lead St Joseph's to first LGFA SFC win of the year

​St Joseph’s picked up a long awaited first win in this year’s LGFA Senior Championship as they proved far too strong for a battling Drumkeerin in Pairc Naomh Brid on Sunday.

Going into the game, Drumkeerin knew a win could leave them in the semi-finals but once St Joseph’s shrugged off an early scare when the home side drew level 12 minutes into the first half at 2-3 apiece, there was never any danger of an upset as the visitors proved just too strong.​

With Kate Gormley in devastating form, landing a personal tally of 5-8, St Joseph’s face into two crucial matches against St Francis and Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins to qualify for the semi-finals and perhaps avoid champions Glencar Manorhamilton into the bargain.

The victory was not without cost as Leitrim star Rachel McIntyre went off through injury but with a break next weekend, last year’s finalists kept their semi-final hopes alive but Drumkeerin look destined for a relegation final meeting with St Francis.

St Joseph’s were first off the mark, Bronagh O’Rourke firing over two early points before Ann Marie Gallagher scored a fine Drumkeerin point from distance. But the visitors struck the first major blow and did so on the double with goals in successive attacks, Kate Gormley taking a pass from Carmel McGovern to score before the kickout was turned over and Michelle Heslin fired to the net.

Gallagher replied with two points, one from a free, either side of a Gormley wide but then Drumkeerin blew the game wide open, Ella McNamara winning a kickout and setting up Gallagher for a good goal.

St Joseph’s responded well with an O’Rourke point but Drumkeerin weren’t finished. A long free to McNamara saw the ball worked to Sarah Feeney who drove a low shot to the net, tying the scores after 12 minutes.

But St Joseph’s response was deadly - Rachel McIntyre scored a nice point on the run before Kate Gormley added two quick points, the second from a free after Drumkeerin were penalised for a short free. Michelle Heslin added a point before Bronagh O’Rourke had a goal disallowed for a square ball infringement.

That didn’t matter as, from the next play, Joseph’s went quick with a free and Gormley fired home her second goal, Michelle Heslin and Gormley adding points before Ann Marie Gallagher stopped the deluge of scores with a lovely high hooked effort on 26 minutes. From the kickout, Shona Wynne drove over a fine point for Drumkeerin.

St Joseph’s had the last word with Heslin and Aoife McKiernan adding points as Drumkeerin ended the half 3-11 to 2-5 and a player down after Natasha McTiernan was sin-binned for a heavy and high challenge on Bronagh O’Rourke that could have resulted in a red.

Any faint hope Drumkeerin had was quickly extinguished as Michelle Heslin netted her second goal inside the opening minute with Carmel McGovern and Gormley (free) adding points within two minutes. Aoife McKiernan and Gormley added points as Ella McNamara blasted a Drumkeerin goal chance wide.

Keeper Sarah Greene made a good stop from Natasha Kelly’s shot before Gormley rattled in two more goals in as many minutes midway through the half. The Leitrim star added a fifth goal on 52 minutes with the game well and truly over.

Drumkeerin did manage a late consolation goal when good work from Natasha Kelly set up Sarah Feeney for her second goal but St Joseph’s finished with points from sub Meadhbh McNamara and Gormley (2) for a facile victory, Drumkeerin picking up a yellow card for Shyneece Gallagher into the bargain.

DRUMKEERIN

Scorers: Ann Marie Gallagher 1-4, f; Sarah Feeney 2-0; Shona Wynne 0-1

Team: Emma Higgins; Natasha McTernan, Anna Hazlett, Shannon Gallagher; Lauren Wynne, Shannon O'Grady, Shyneece Gallagher; Sarah Feeney, Shona Wynne; Kayla Maguire, Ann Marie Gallagher, Lauren Fee; Rachel McPartland, Ella McNamara, Natasha Kelly. Subs: Mona Lowe for K Maguire (42); Lauraine Clarke for McPartland (46); Laura Torsney for Shyneece Gallagher (64)

ST JOSEPH’S

Scorers: Kate Gormley 5-8, 3f; Michelle Heslin 2-3; Bronagh O’Rourke 0-3; Aoife McKiernan 0-2; Rachel McIntyre & Carmel McGovern 0-1 each

Team: Sarah Greene, Vanessa Gallogly, Eadaoin Casey, Doireann McCartin, Lorraine Moran, Vanessa Gallogly, Rachel McIntyre, Laura McIntyre, Grainne O’Malley, Eabha McCartin, Deirdre Moran, Bronagh O’Rourke, Aoife McKiernan, Carmel McGovern, Michelle Heslin, Kate Gormley. Subs: Aine Heslin & Shannen O’Rourke for O’Malley & O’Rourke (35); Celine Shortt for A McKiernan (39); Meabh McNamara for M Heslin (52)

Referee: Patrick Guckian