It's the Mo show as Laois ladies defeat Cavan

After a five-point loss away to table-toppers Armagh last weekend, the Laois Ladies suffered a brutal blow in their hunt to attain a league final place in Division 2.

However, Donie Brennan’s outfit bounced back against Cavan on Sunday afternoon in The Rock GAA. A hat-trick from Mo Nerney coupled with a trojan second-half defensive effort means the Laois Ladies still have an outside chance entering the final round next weekend.

Laois 4-6

Cavan 2-8

The Leinster Express reported earlier in the week that star Laois Ladies forward, Erone Fitzpatrick, signed a contract with AFL Women’s side Carlton over in Australia. Fitzpatrick will be a massive blow when she heads off in the summer, but she made sure to put in another hugely impressive display against Cavan.

Fitzpatrick fired over the opening score from close range for Laois. Mo Nerney then had her first sniff at goal, but her effort was well smothered by Cavan keeper Roisin O’Reilly.

Cavan full-forward, Aishling Sheridan, levelled proceedings shortly after. However, Laois burst into life after that as they scored two goals in quick succession.

Midfielder Anna Healy offloaded a handpass to a flying Laura Marie Maher down the middle. Maher then cooly drove her shot low and hard into the Cavan net, giving goalkeeper Roisin O’Reilly no chance this time.

Eva Galvin then knocked over Laois’ second point before goal number two arrived. Erone Fitzpatrick powerfully burst through the heart of the Cavan rearguard before finding Mo Nerney, and Nerney bundled the ball home from a few yards out.

Cavan responded to those goals with a few important points to settle themselves down. Lauren McVeety (free) and Ciara Finnegan raised white flags for them.

Laois hit back with a third goal though. Again, Erone Fitzpatrick was proving unmarkable as she skipped past a couple of Cavan challenges before firing a rocket at goal. The ball thundered off the crossbar and back out, but Mo Nerney was on hand again to follow home the rebound.

Aishling Sheridan replied with a point for Cavan before the away side did grab a goal back. Lauren McVeety lashed a shot past Eimear Barry in the Laois goals and Cavan were back in the thick of it.

While Mo Nerney responded with a point from play for Laois, Cavan finished the first half strongly. Aisling Gilsenan and Sophie Slowey pointed to leave Cavan trailing by only three at half-time, 1-6 to 3-3.

Laois were forced to play against a strong wind for the second half but they did land the first score after the interval. Erone Fitzpatrick floated over a beauty from a tight angle for Donie Brennan’s side.

However, Cavan struck for a second goal straight after to leave the minimum separating the sides. Keri McCormack had her effort spectacularly saved onto the post by Laois keeper Eimear Barry, but Aisling Gilsenan was alert to finish the loose ball home.

The home team, to their credit, responded bravely to that setback in a crucial period in the match. Erone Fitzpatrick again sent over a point from play before Mo Nerney sealed her hat-trick with a very tidy finish into the bottom right corner of the net.

Laois frustrated Cavan after that with their disciplined and tenacious defense breaking up attacks and forcing unnecessary wides. Centre-back and captain Ellen Healy was excellent in the second half as she made sure Cavan weren’t allowed to come through the centre.

Cavan did cut the deficit to four points with ten minutes of normal time remaining thanks to Sophie Slowey’s second point. They had a massive goal chance as well shortly after that, but Aishling Sheridan fluffed her lines in front of the goal.

The contest entered stoppage time as Laois desperately clung on. While Lauren McVeety landed a free in the first minute of added time, it proved to be their final score of the match.

Rather fittingly, it was Erone Fitzpatrick who fisted over the insurance score after she played a give-and-go with Park-Ratheniska clubmate Anna Healy. Cavan continued to go in search of a goal in the final few minutes of added time, but their efforts were in vain as Laois held on for the victory.

LAOIS

Scorers: Mo Nerney 3-1, Erone Fitzpatrick 0-4, Laura-Marie Maher 1-0, Eva Galvin 0-1

Team: Eimear Barry; Sinead Farrelly, Clodagh Dunne, Aimee Kelly; Shifra Havill, Ellen Healy (C), Grainne Lalor; Anna Healy, Andrea Moran; Eva Galvin, Laura-Marie Maher, Erone Fitzpatrick; Mo Nerney, Sarah Ann Fitzgerald, Orla Hennessy. Subs: Aoife Kirrane for Lalor (45 mins), Grainne Moran for Hennessy (56 mins), Tara Byrne for Nerney (64 mins)

CAVAN

Scorers: Lauren McVeety 1-2 (0-2 frees), Aisling Gilsenan 1-1, Aishling Sheridan and Sophie Slowey 0-2 each, Ciara Finnegan 0-1

Team: Roisin O'Reilly; Ciara Finnegan, Shauna Lynch, Christina Charters; Zara Fay, Neasa Byrd (C), Rebecca O'Reilly; Caoimhe Madden, Ally Cahill; Sophie Slowey, Lorna O'Reilly, Aisling Gilsenan; Lauren McVeety, Aishling Sheridan, Keri McCormack. Subs: Ellyanna Madden for C Madden (HT), Aisling Walls for L O'Reilly (HT), Geraldine Smith for K McCormack (46 mins), Shannon McCormack for Fay (46 mins), Deirbhile Lynch for Slowey (49 mins)

REFEREE: Patrick Smith (Waterford)