Swinford Killasser Ladies Win County Intermediate Championship

Posted By Swinford Killasser LGFC on Sep 18, 2014

Swinford Killasser County Intermediate Champions

Swinford Killasser Ladies Crowned County Champions

Swinford Killasser 9-07 St Brigids 3-08

Swinford Killasser Ladies pulled off a stunning victory in the Intermediate Championship Final played in Foxford on Saturday to capture the county title for only the second time in the club’s history. This victory was hard earned and is a credit to every one of the players who played with a maturity that belied their young age. The girls never panicked although trailing at half time, they fought as a team to tie the game with twelve minutes left and then blitzed their opponents with five stunning goals from five attacks to become 2014 County Champions.

Swinford Killasser ladies Gaelic Intermediate Final Roisin Caf

Roisin Cafferty in Action

The game was played at a blistering, energy-sapping pace in hot weather conditions with little or no breeze on an immaculate pitch, and it was Swinford Killasser who were out of the blocks quickest. Aisling Henry collected a ball in the full forward position and laid it off for Roisin Durkin to score the first goal within two minutes of the start. Roisin Cafferty added a point within a minute and Swinford Killasser could have gone further ahead but for some robust defending by St Brigids who, struggling to keep pace with the speed of the attackers, resorted to conceding numerous frees. Although Swinford Killasser did not convert these chances, their opponents were to pay the price later as the ticking’s accumulated and eventually led to yellow cards. For now though, not finishing these chances gave St Brigids the confidence to fight back and with goals after six and eleven minutes they pushed into the lead for the first time. Swinford Killasser responded with goals from Roisin Durkin and Maria Groarke, and a point from Tara Henry to go back in front on twenty minutes, but St Brigids scored the last 1-04 of the half to go into the break looking like probable winners on a scoreline of 3-04 to 3-02.

Tara Henry & Hayley Moore

The second half started almost the same as the first as Aisling Henry latched onto a through ball, but her effort was superbly saved by Natasha Bourke. St Brigids tagged on a point before Roisin Cafferty went on one of her mazy runs to score a spectacular goal, which Maria Groarke followed up with a point to go one in front. Michaela Walsh, who, along with Hayley Moore, was dominating the middle of the park, drew another save from the now under pressure St Brigids keeper. Again struggling to contain the Swinford Killasser forwards their opponents received two yellow cards within minutes of each other. The following ten minute spell appeared to hinder rather than help the eventual winners as it broke Swinford Killassers momentum and St Brigids “parked the bus” to defend their goal. Then, having held out, they broke downfield to score two points during this time to go back in front. When the teams resumed with fifteen aside St Brigids pushed forward to try to secure the victory, but were thwarted by a strong defence in which Niamh Ansboro, Rebecca Lenehan and Vanessa McHugh were to the fore. With twelve minutes remaining – and the sides level – substitute Melissa Devaney entered the fray and this signalled the start of a devastating spell from Swinford Killasser in which five goals were scored from five attacks, two each by Melissa Devaney and Michaela Walsh, and a third on the day for Roisin Durkin. With their opponents now reeling like a boxer who had just got caught by a torrent of blows Swinford Killasser tapped over the last few points at ease to win the 2014 County Intermediate Championship on a score line of 9-07 to 3-08.

This was a famous victory for Swinford Killassers young Senior team and their wild celebrations, as Tara Henry received the Cup from County PRO Susan Rogers, showed just how much it meant to this group of friends. From keeper Amy McNicholas to the last substitute the girls worked for each other throughout the park, displaying a cool and calculated mind-set even when things were not going to plan. The girls will now go on to represent Mayo in the Connacht Intermediate Championship semi-final in three weeks’ time. Well done to the Swinford Killasser Ladies GFC team; Amy McNicholas, Ciara Durkin, Niamh Ansboro, Maeve Peyton, Vanessa McHugh, Michaela Walsh, Anna Tierney, Tara Henry, Hayley Moore, Maria Groarke, Roisin Cafferty, Orna O’Brien, Rebecca Lenehan, Aisling Henry & Roisin Durkin. Subs; Melissa Devaney, Geraldine Walsh, Bronagh Molloy, Rebecca McHugh, Caoimhe Hennigan, Alanagh Durkin, Aoife Groarke, Regina Mullaney, Sinead Fadden, Aishling Forkan and Andrea Jordan.

Winning the Intermediate Championship Final finished off a perfect week for the Club which started with the Minors winning the A Championship quarter-final away to Kilmoremoy on Sunday, to set up a home semi-final meeting with Castlebar next Saturday. The county final will be on Sunday at 1pm should the Minors progress. On Monday last the U16s beat Westport in the A Championship semi-final to reach the county final where they take on Burrishoole on Wednesday week. This Wednesday the U16s take on Westport again in the Division 1 League semi-final. Swinford Killassers U13 team won away on Wednesday against St Marys and won at home against Kilmovee on Monday, and now play Kiltimagh away on Friday.