Galvin goals crucial as reigning champions St Conleth's edge past St Joseph’s in Laois LGFA SFC

It was a battle of the Saints on Sunday afternoon in the Laois LGFA Senior quarter-final as reigning champions St Conleth’s welcomed St Joseph’s to Courtwood GAA. St Conleth’s came out the better of the sides on the day and have booked their spot in the semi-final, where Ballyroan await.

St Conleth’s got off to a flying start, putting 1-2 on the board after just three minutes. Claire Fox pointed the opening score, followed by Eva Galvin finding the net after a super run, while Aoibhe Byron scored her first of the contest. Emily Moore opened St Joseph’s account with a point from play, but St Conleth’s replied in style as an Emma Lawlor shot was denied by Ava Shanahan, but Galvin was there to slot home the rebound.

Emily Lacey pointed the 2024 Intermediate champions’ second score with 10 minutes on the clock, while Byron went on to kick two frees between the posts. Galvin was full steam ahead for the goals once more, but was pulled down in the square, allowing Byron to step up, but Shanahan pulled off an incredible save to deny her.

Byron stepped up and pointed a long-range free once again, pushing their lead to seven. The half came to a close when Byrne and Martina Dunne traded frees, keeping the gap at seven (2-6 to 0-3).

Galvin opened the scoring for the second half, pointing from play. St Joseph’s were awarded a penalty when Ola Haastrup was pulled up for waving her hands while Lacey attempted to point a free. Aoife Kealy stepped up and slotted the ball away.
St Joseph’s got momentum under their feet and went on to point two in a row, a Niamh Crosby free and Emily Moore from play.

Aoife Kirrane added her name to the scoresheet while Claire O’Connell pulled off a fine save from a Jane Moore shot.
St Joseph’s were in search of a goal and Crosby, who dually obliged, stepped up and lobbed the ball over O’Connell, narrowing the gap to three.

St Conleth’s played keep ball and found a gap in the St Joseph’s defence, a foul was committed on Galvin, which allowed Byron to point her fifth and final free of the game, which proved to be a security score for the reigning champions.

The St Conleth’s defence remained resilient, keeping their opponents at bay. A strong foul saw Mary Cotter receive a yellow card, but ultimately, she only missed the last five minutes, and her side held it together to power on to the semi-final, where they will face Ballyroan.

FINAL SCORE

ST CONLETH'S 2-9

ST JOSEPH'S 2-5

SCORERS — St Conleth’s: Eva Galvin 2-1, Aoibhe Byron 0-6 (0-5 frees), Aoife Kirrane and Claire Fox 0-1 each. St Joseph’s: Niamh Crosby 1-1 (0-1 free), Aoife Kealy (peno) 1-0, Emily Moore 0-2, Martina Dunne (free), and Emily Lacey 0-1 each.

ST CONLETH'S: Claire O’Connell; Ola Haastrup, Ruanne Hunt, Aine Habelin; Aoife Cummins, Grainne Cotter, Mary Cotter; Shifra Havill, Aoife Kirrane; Marie Byrne, Eva Galvin, Naomi Luttrell; Emma Lawlor, Claire Fox, Aoibhe Byron. Subs: Courtney Finlay for Lawlor (54 min).

ST JOSEPH’S: Ava Shanahan; Sharon Kelly, Sinead Farrelly, Annie Lacey; Lily Brophy, Lorna Butler, Lauren Rowan; Jane Moore, Anna Moore; Aoife Kealy, Emily Lacey, Niamh Crosby; Martina Dunne, Aimee Smith, Emily Moore. Subs: Ava Rowan for Smith and Shannon Maguire for Kelly (Both HT).

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Barrowhouse)

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