Shanahoe’s Leinster LGFA journey comes to an end against Edenderry

Shanahoe’s Leinster Club Intermediate Ladies Football Championship campaign has ended at the quarter-final stage after Edenderry defeated them in horrendous weather conditions on Saturday afternoon.

The weather was abysmal for the game, with a driving wind bringing persistent rain and making it difficult for either side to produce a free-flowing game of football.

Edenderry’s ability to score goals proved to be the difference between the sides in Shanahoe. The visitors raised a green flag at the start of both halves to secure their place in the last four.

Edenderry’s first score came with less than a minute on the clock. Moya Cummins’ shot dipped under the crossbar and over the outstretched hands of Niamh Stackpool before nestling in the back of the net. Shanahoe replied with a free from Mary Fitzpatrick after Maya Donoghue was fouled.

Edenderry got their first points of the contest courtesy of Rebecca McDonnell and Maria Doyle. Shanahoe’s second point also came from the boot of Fitzpatrick (free). The wind favoured Edenderry in the first half and they used it to their advantage to kick the next three scores. Doyle, McDonnell and Grace Foran all scored a point each to put Edenderry eight points up after 15 minutes. There was some great defending by Leanne Hyland between McDonnell and Foran’s points as she dispossessed Cummins when it looked as if she was in for her second goal.

The half ended with Shanahoe reducing the deficit to double-scores as Martha Guilfoyle kicked two points, one from a free. Edenderry led 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

Shanahoe came out after the break and immediately brought the gap back to three as Noirin Butler split the posts. Edenderry replied through a Doyle free before they scored a second goal to put themselves seven points in front. Hazel O’Brien was the creator as she played McDonnell through on goal, and she made no mistake with the finish.

Fitzpatrick pointed her third free of the game to bring her side back within two goals of Edenderry. The weather conditions began to worsen and there was no score for the next 23 minutes or so.

That barren spell was finally ended with a point from a Doyle free. Shanahoe tried to grab a goal to get back into the contest, but Aoife O’Neill denied Fitzpatrick. The home side did manage to score through Megan Walsh, but Edenderry held on to win by six points in the end.

FINAL SCORE

Edenderry 2-7

Shanahoe 0-7

SCORERS- Edenderry: Rebecca McDonnell 1-2, Maria Doyle 0-4 (0-2 frees), Moya Cummins 1-0, Grace Foran 0-1. Shanahoe: Mary Fitzpatrick 0-3 (frees), Martha Guilfoyle 0-2, Megan Walsh and Noirin Butler 0-1 each.

SHANAHOE: Niamh Stackpool; Isabel Finlay, Marian Ferns, Ruth McDermott; Hannah Bailey, Leanne Hyland, Sarah Bergin; Maeve Hennessy, Megan Walsh; Molly Cassin, Paige Hyland, Jane Madden; Martha Guilfoyle, Mary Fitzpatrick, Maya Donoghue. Subs: Noirin Butler for Donoghue (26 mins), Ava Tynan for Madden (29 mins), Aoife Bergin for L Hyland (45 mins), Katie Kavanagh for Cassin (48 mins), Mary Griffin for Guilfoyle (58 mins)

EDENDERRY: Aoife O'Neill; Shauna Farrelly, Lily Murphy, Aoife Tyrrell; Kiah Farrelly, Emma Maher, Aimee Dunne; Tara Tyrrell, Hazel O'Brien; Grace Foran, Maria Doyle, Emer Lawless; Isabelle Liu Lyons, Rebecca McDonnell, Moya Cummins. Subs: Niamh Byrne for Farrelly (42 mins), Saoirse Hoey for Farrelly (43 mins).

Referee: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath)