Galvin's hat-trick helps St Conleth's make it two wins from two in Laois Ladies SFC

St Conleth’s were left devastated last year when they narrowly fell to Portlaoise in the Laois Ladies Senior championship final. They were slight favourites to retain their crown that day but ultimately first-half Portlaoise goals proved the difference.

They are now looking to bounce back and reclaim their crown. St Conleth’s should face stiffer tests later in the competition, but they did make it two wins from two against Park-Ratheniska on Sunday.

St Conleth's 4-14

Park-Ratheniska 1-4

The home team started brightly in Killenard. Alanna Havill opened the scoring for St Conleth’s before Eva Galvin scored the first of her three goals. From a Park-Ratheniska perspective, they were carved open far too easily as Galvin made no mistake.

Naoimi Luttrell, who usually plays in goals but was moved to wing-forward for this one, pushed them further clear with another point. Park-Ratheniska made a few trips forward in early stages but were finding little reward.

St Conleth’s came close to scoring a second goal soon after that. Alanna Havill went through, but her effort was excellently saved by Park-Ratheniska keeper Danielle Moore.

That save inspired Park-Ratheniska somewhat for the remainder of the half. They grew into the game and matched St Conleth’s intensity in all quarters.

Rachel O’Connell kicked over Park-Ratheniska’s first score of the evening after Claire Dollard was fouled. Shifra Havill replied with a free for St Conleth’s before Park-Ratheniska almost got in for a goal.

Midfielder Anna Healy made a dart through the heart of the St Conleth’s defence but her shot was brilliantly stopped by St Conleth’s number one, Megan Walsh.

That save proved key as well, as St Conleth’s scored the next 2-3 to give themselves a healthy cushion. Shifra Havill kicked two fine scores either side of one from her sister Alanna.

Then St Conleth’s scored two goals in the space of a few minutes to really knock the wind out of the Park-Ratheniska sails. For the first goal, Holly Hanway offloaded to Sinead Cullen and she crashed home.

The next goal was scored by Eva Galvin again. She caught the Park-Ratheniska kick-out and Galvin swiftly burst forward to drive home her second goal.

Park-Ratheniska, to their credit, finished the first half on top to give themselves a glimmer of hope heading into the second half. Anna Healy pointed a score under pressure and then they grabbed a goal back.

They pressed the St Conleth’s defence and their hard work was rewarded. Wing-back Keeva Fingleton eventually found a gap and she planted the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Park-Ratheniska trailed on a scoreline of 1-2 to 3-6 at the interval in Killenard. The visitors were getting stuck in on the wet pitch which made it more difficult for St Conleth’s than they may have expected.

The impressive Sinead Cullen opened the scoring for the second half with a point from play. Park-Ratheniska continued to play some nice football during the opening stages of the first half but couldn’t find enough scores.

While Tara Byrne landed a fine point for Park-Ratheniska, Eva Galvin responded for St Conleth’s with her first point to add to her tally. Anna Healy hit back for Park-Ratheniska but that would be their final score of the game.

St Conleth’s superior fitness came to the fore, as the 2021 Laois Ladies Senior football champions took complete control of the contest. Naoimi Luttrell and Sinead Cullen placed over frees either side of Holly Hanway’s first point of the day from play.

Naoimi Luttrell landed another point from a placed ball before Park-Ratheniska had a rare opportunity to get another goal back. The referee waved for a penalty and Laura Crawford had the chance from the spot.

However, her penalty was excellently stopped by St Conleth’s keeper Megan Walsh. She managed to get enough of a fist to the powerful effort to keep St Conleth’s comfortably out in front.

The home team finished the match strongly. Aoife Cummins and Alanna Havill points were followed by Eva Galvin sealing her hat-trick goal, as she drove one just in under the crossbar.