Griffin and Walsh to the fore as Shanahoe crowned Intermediate Ladies champions

Shanahoe will play Senior Championship next year after they got the better of St Joseph’s in Stradbally this afternoon. They had plenty of class all over the field from goalkeeper Eimear Barry and full-back Marion Ferns to Mary Griffin in full-forward.

St Joseph’s had mounted a second-half comeback with three goals in the second period but it wasn’t to be as Shanahoe held on for the win.

Shanahoe 4-12

St Joseph’s 3-11

St Joseph’s got the game’s opening score as Emily Lacey slotted the ball over the bar. Shanahoe’s first piece of action would see the umpires raise a green flag as Laura Finlay drilled the ball into the top right corner.

Emily Moore added another point to St Joseph’s tally before Shanahoe took control of the game. Half-back Megan Walsh got two fine scores from play before  Shanahoe goalkeeper Eimear Barry came upfield to take a penalty after Mary Griffin had been fouled in the square. Barry placed the ball straight into the top corner to give her side an early six-point lead.

Moore and Finlay traded scores as Shanahoe once again fired over three more points without reply. Griffin scored all three with one of them coming from a free.

Moore fired in a goal for St Joseph’s before half-time with a savage finish. Jeanne De Toulgoet responded almost instantly with a goal of her own as Shanahoe led 3-6 to 1-6 at the break.

Alice Walsh got the ball rolling in the second-half with her first point of the game while Niamh Crosby replied for St Joseph’s. Shanahoe fired in their fourth goal of the contest as Walsh went on a super run before blasting the ball into the net. Griffin pointed another free as Shanahoe held a 13-point lead midway through the second-half. This was when St Joseph’s hit the front as they fired in 1-4 unanswered. Crosby pointed a free while substitute Réiltín Farrell scored a goal after Crosby’s effort had hit the bar. Emily Lacey kicked another two frees with Crosby taking her tally to four points. Griffin kept the scoreboard ticking for Shanahoe as Moore and Crosby pointed to leave five points between the sides.

Alice Walsh and Griffin pointed as it looked like Shanahoe had done enough to get the victory. Crosby did get a late goal for St Joseph’s but it wasn’t to be their day as Shanahoe won by four points in the end.