Killeshin progress to Leinster semi-final after strong win over Wicklow’s ABG

Killeshin booked their place in the AIB Leinster LGFA Junior Club semi-final with an assured six-point win over Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney (ABG) of Wicklow on Saturday afternoon at Killeshin GAA grounds.

The Laois champions entered the tie on the back of an emphatic preliminary quarter-final victory against Naomh Ciarán of Offaly, 6-14 to 4-6, and carried that momentum into this quarter-final clash.

Conditions were challenging as a diagonal wind swept across the pitch, making scoring tricky early on. It took six minutes for the opening point to arrive, courtesy of Cara English for Killeshin. Further scores from Céire Ní Fhaolain and Emma Malone pushed the home side three clear before English struck for the game’s first goal. Her point attempt took a wicked deflection, looping over goalkeeper Isobel Carr and into the net.

ABG struggled to make an impression during the first-half and had to wait until the 19th minute for their first point through Áine Ní Chonchúir. That proved to be their only score before the interval as Killeshin added four unanswered points. English increased her tally to 1-2 after linking up neatly with Ciara McDonald, while Ní Fhaolain (2) and McDonald also found the target. Killeshin led 1-7 to 0-1 at the break.

The Wicklow side burst into life after the restart, registering 1-2 in quick succession. Points from Molly Garland and Emma Guilfoyle preceded a goal from Keeva Kelly, who reacted quickest to a rebound off the crossbar.

Killeshin, however, steadied themselves and reasserted control with four points in a row. Chelsea Dooley opened their second-half scoring in the 35th minute before Niamh Graham slotted a free after a 12-minute lull. Dooley added another before substitute Chloe Whelan chipped in to extend the gap to eight points approaching full-time. ABG finished with two late points from Muireann O’Connor, but the Laois outfit defended resolutely to seal the win.

Killeshin now advance to face Meath champions St Colmcille’s in a provincial semi-final next weekend.

FINAL SCORE

Killeshin 1-11

ABG 1-5

SCORERS– Killeshin: Cara English 1-2, Céire Ní Fhaolain 0-3, Chelsea Dooley 0-2, Chloe Whelan, Emma Malone, Ciara McDonald and Niamh Graham (free) 0-1 each. ABG: Keeva Kelly 1-0, Muireann O’Connor 0-2 (0-1 free), Molly Garland, Emma Guilfoyle and Aine Ní Chonchúir 0-1 each.

KILLESHIN: Siobhan Dowling; Seoighe English, Mary Clare Kelly, Orla Davis; Katie McGrath, Lucy Gaffney, Darien Hughes; Ciara Malone, Niamh Graham; Ceire Ni Fhaolain, Emma Malone, Aisling Cawley, Cara English, Chelsea Dooley, Ciara McDonald. Subs: Eadoin Cawley for McGrath (40 mins), Eva Kavanagh for McDonald (43 mins), Chloe Whelan for E Malone (57 mins).

A.G.B: Isobel Carr; Rebecca Cleary, Divine Luke Letlhake, Ellie Doran; Naoise Ni Chonchuir, Aimee Fox, Catherine Bourke; Molly Garland, Naomi Devereuz; Keeva Kelly, Katie Nuzum, Eireann O’Reilly; Laoise Mellon, Aine Ni Chonchuir, Muireann O’Connor. Subs: Emma Guilfoyle for Devereuz (24 mins), Farrin Wolohan for O’Reilly and Anna Hyland for N Ni Chonchuir (Both 43 mins), Kate Conway for Nuzum and Sophie Hurley for Cleary (52 mins)

Referee: Sinead McHugh (Dublin)