Ratheniska girls have too much for Abbeyleix

Ratheniska NS got their hands on the girls Division 2 title last Wednesday, as a dominant second half performance got them over the line.

The first half was very closely contested, with both teams cancelling each other out and defences on top. The first score didn't come until the seventh minute when Finola Kehoe struck for a goal.

Ratheniska hit back with a point from a Keeva Fingleton free, before Aoibheann Szwaglis got their first goal. That score had them just in front, but a Finola Kehoe point left the teams level at 1-1 each at the break.

The second half was dominated by Ratheniska, although scoring was again slow to get going as the teams found scores hard to come by. Orla Looney then broke the deadlock when she scored an opportunistic goal for Ratheniska.

Nicole McGovern added another goal for Ratheniska before two Aoibheann Szwaglis efforts pu them firmly in the driving seat.

Abbeyleix kept attacking and trying to find their way through a resolute Ratheniska defence, but there was to be no joy for them, despite all their efforts.

Ratheniska finished strongly, as Nicole McGovern slotted over a free and Shannon Fitzpatrick then put the icing on the cake as her two late points wrapped up a well deserved win for her side.