First-half goal show as Timahoe get the better of local rivals Park-Ratheniska

Timahoe fired in five goals on their way to victory over Park-Ratheniska in Round 5 in Division 1 of the Ladies' Leagues on Tuesday evening in Annanough GAA.

Mo Nerney was the game's top scorer as the Laois forward kicked 1-7 off her trusty left boot. Katie Donoghue also scored 2-2 from play as eight green flags were raised between the two sides in the first-half.

Timahoe 5-14

Park-Ratheniska 3-7

With the game originally scheduled to throw-in at 7.30pm, the referee didn't show for another 20 minutes as Nerney eventually got the game's scoring underway with a splendid point off her left boot as Park-Ratheniska's first score came courtesy of Tara Byrne. The full-forward got the game's first goal as she blasted into the back of the net. Timahoe would reply in the best way possible as two Laois Ladies combined as Orla Hennessy teed up Nerney to raise her side's first green flag.

The Timahoe goal pushed them on as they fired in 1-2 without reply. Nerney kicked two points with one coming from a free before she teed up Donoghue to tuck the ball into the Park-Ratheniska net. Ellen O'Byrne was instrumental for the next Park-Ratheniska scores as she split the posts as well as being fouled for a penalty. Erone Fitzpatrick stepped up to the spot with her first effort saved by Eva Brennan but she made no mistake with the rebound.

The goals would continue to flow as Donoghue finished superbly to push her side into three-point lead. Nerney tapped over a free with Byrne replying for Park-Ratheniska. The next four scores would all come from the boots of Timahoe players as Aoife Gorman and Sarah Larkin both rattled the Park-Ratheniska net while Donoghue and a Nerney free pushed them into a commanding lead.

There would be time for another goal before the stroke of half-time as Lisa Buggy palmed the ball into the net. Donoghue and Hennessy both pointed as Timahoe led 5-8 to 3-2 at the break.

Park-Ratheniska knew a strong second-half would be needed to have any chance of finding a way back into the game as they kicked the first three scores with Laura Crawford, Shannon Fitzpatrick and Byrne all dissected the posts. Timahoe's Larkin took her tally to 1-2 as she fired over two scores unanswered. Anna Healy and Nerney traded points while Gorman also split the posts.

Fitzpatrick got Park-Ratheniska's last score of the contest with Timahoe getting a further two points before the end of the game. Gorman and Nerney sealing a 5-14 to 3-7 victory for Timahoe. Ballyroan will provide the Round 6 opponents for Timahoe while Park-Ratheniska are at home to St Conleth's.