Belcoo Senior Ladies had their shooting boots with them on Sunday morning as they registered 22points in a 0-22 to 1-7 victory in Kinawley. The host side rested a number of starting regulars but the O’Rahilly’s could only beat the team put out in front of them and that’s what they did.
The contest didn’t get off to a good start, Kinawley registered a goal in the opening play of the game. Belcoo however were undeterred, and they would produce an excellent hour of football. So much of what they done was the right thing. On and off the ball they worked hard, made good decisions, played the simple ball, found the players in space and split the posts. 11 points in each half were kicked.
It took Belcoo 5minutes to open their account, Scarlett O’Connor made a good turnover and fed Michelle Cullen who split the posts. O’Connor gained the next kickout, laid the ball off to Sinead Barrett and she slotted over. Centre Back Leona McNulty went on a surging run down the right wing and her dipping shot was parred away by the keeper, Mikayla Maguire gathered the loose ball and recycled to Sam Martin in a better position, and she duly applied the finish to level matters 8minutes in.
Good interplay between Seana Feeley and Sinead Barrett seen the ball worked into Mikayla Maguire who put the O’Rahilly’s into the lead. Belcoo were defending brilliantly, Cara Gray excellently robbed the ball from her player while getting out in front on another occasion. Leona McNulty made a great tackle to dispossess her opponent and from there Sinead Barrett went on a long run and slipped the ball into Michelle Cullen for her sides fifth point on 14minutes.
Sinead Barrett chipped over from the right before a Crossfield free by Mikayla Maguire was gathered and fired over by Michelle Cullen. A quickly taken free from Sinead Barrett sent Scarlett O’Connor away for her first of the day as Belcoo opened into a 0-8 to 1-0 lead by the 20minute mark.
Seana Feeley powered downfield for a well taken point while Siofra McAloon and Kelly Connolly made turnovers on the right wing. An excellent Leona McNulty tackle knocked the ball from a forward making a dangerous attack, Cara Gray swooped onto the loose ball and cleared it to Sinead Barrett, another trademark run forward yielded a 10th point for her side.
At this juncture Kinawley had a spell of pressure in the Belcoo half of the field. Crona Higgins cut out two dangerous attacks, but the home sides Clodagh Eccles and Eimear Doonan did manage to find the target before the O’Rahilly’s finished the half with a Sinead Barrett point, Kelly Connolly was fouled on the right and she quickly played the free kick to Barrett to scamper upfield. Half time: Kinawley 1-2 v 0-11 Belcoo.
The second half started at an incredible pace. The opening 10minutes seen 9 points score. Belcoo had furthered their advantage, kicking 6 of the 9 scores. Kinawley had strengthened their side at the interval. Keeva Gilleece and Aine Haren with points either side of an Orla Leonard score. Belcoo through kept the scoreboard ticking as they moved forward at pace and fluidity. Sam Martin, Sinead Barrett, Eve Barrett, Mikayla Maguire (2) and Michelle Cullen all on target to move the visitors 0-17 to 1-5 ahead by the 40th minute.
The rate of scoring stopped, it had to, defences tightened up. Just three scores in the next ten minutes and crucially, Belcoo continued to outscore their opposite, it was 2 points to one here. Scarlett O’Connor with a brace of well taken points. O’Connor was denied a goal by an excellent save from the home netminder. Kayleigh Magee with the Kinawley point.
The same Kinawley player registered what was her sides last score on 52minutes. Belcoo though would kick three more before the finish. Sam Martin with two long range efforts either side of a Sinead Barrett score.
The win meant Belcoo finished 4th in the Club Players League. They will meet Kinawley in Kinawley on Tuesday 14th June at 8pm in the Semi Final of the Competition, Kinawley topped the league and will likely play a stronger side.
Team (13 a side): Riona Keaney, Siofra McAloon, Cara Gray, Crona Higgins, Leona McNulty, Kelly Connolly, Seana Feeley (0-1), Sinead Barrett (0-6), Sam Martin (0-4), Michelle Cullen (0-4), Scarlett O’Connor (0-3) Mikayla Maguire (0-3), Eve Barrett (0-1). Subs Sheila Maguire, Ciara McGuinness.
