Second half scoring spurt results in O'Raghallaighs/St Oliver Plunketts victory over Hunterstown Rovers
GLOBAL TILES & BATHROOMS INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
O’Raghallaighs/St Oliver Plunketts 2-11
Hunterstown Rovers 2-6
The O’Raghallaighs/St Oliver Plunketts became the third team to celebrate success on Ladies Championship Final Weekend in Louth, as they took home Intermediate honours thanks to a second half scoring spurt, where they overturned a three point deficit to emerge as six point winners, with two second half goals from the excellent Lainey McCormack proving vital.
Former Louth minor panellist, McCormack finished with 2-5 from 11 shots over the hour, including a late penalty, which sealed victory for the amalgamation.
David O’Reilly’s side owe a great deal of gratitude to their second half substitute Lucie Rooney, whose introduction saw the Drogheda side opt for a more direct approach in the final third, as they kicked directly into their forward line.
A scrappy opening half saw both teams both fight for and cough up possession in equal measure in a half littered with turnovers, and sloppy play, which saw both sides fail to land a score between the 9th and 24th minute.
Back in 2021, Hunterstown Rovers romped their way to Junior Championship success, with victory over Dundalk Gaels, a game which saw Mischa Rooney bag a hat trick.
This year's decider saw Rooney once again a thorn in the opposition’s side, as she set up Sarah Lynch for a fine finish after six minutes to give Gerry Reaburn’s side the perfect start.
In a side which included 10 of the 15 starters from their Junior Championship victory two years ago, a well organised Hunterstown made life awkward for their opponents, who despite dominating possession, were left frustrated, with 13 of their 23 first half attacks turned over, as Anna Hickey and Caoimhe Carolan cut out several forays between them, while Lucy Taffe drove on at every opportunity from wing back, as did midfielder Abbie Sheridan who worked tireless in the middle sector.
Ruth McElroy operated in a deeper role, and this allowed Mischa Rooney to combine with the lively Sarah Lynch and Orlaith Carolan inside.
A fine score by Lainey McCormack was cancelled out by that Rooney free and Lynch goal, to make it 1-1 to 0-1 in Hunterstown’s favour.
Following a scrappy 15 minute spell, O’Raghallaighs/St Oliver Plunketts began to find their feet, when Louise Johnson, Hannah Martin, and McCormack (f) scored in quick succession to level things up at 1-1 to 0-4 inside 29 minutes.
The amalgamated side upped the tempo, and a Nora Conaghey turnover led to Lainey McCormack putting her side ahead for the first time, before a Hannah Martin strike bounced over the bar, to give them a two point buffer in first half added time.
Not for the first time in this decider, the lively Sarah Lynch sold the Plunketts/O’Raghallaighs defence a solo dummy, before scoring her side’s first point from play to leave just the slightest of gaps between the sides at the break.
Second Half:
Five minutes after the restart, and both sides matched each other score for score, with Caitlin O’Reilly setting up Lainey McCormack for a fine effort, which was quickly followed by another well-taken Mischa Rooney point moments later, before Sarah Lynch levelled things up once again.
Caitlin O’Reilly who had 17 possessions in this final, was once again involved as she set up Chloe Sawyer, and the amalgamated side began to keep the scoreboard ticking.
O’Raghallaighs St Oliver Plunketts were 0-8 to 1-4 ahead and seemingly in control.
However, 30 seconds after Sawyer’s point, the cat was set amongst the pigeons, as Hunterstown regained the lead, when Mischa Rooney set up Orlaith Carolan for their second goal.
A huge question was asked of the Drogheda side.
Sarah Lynch sold another solo dummy, and Hunterstown were 2-5 to 0-8 ahead after 37 minutes, with a second championship promotion in three years looking a distinct possibility.
O’Raghallaighs/St Oliver Plunketts were forced to act, and following Lucie Rooney’s introduction, Hannah Martin was moved to the half back line, as the Drogheda side opted for route one into their inside line of Rooney and McCormack.
A fine score from Lucie Rooney, was quickly followed by the game’s turning point. Nora Conaghy who finished with 19 possessions alongside county player Seoda Mathews, sent in a long ball, which was collected by McCormack, who was not to be denied, as she fired to the net on the second attempt, to turn the tide in her side’s favour at 1-9 to 2-5, heading into the final quarter. Louise Johnson also deserves plaudits, as a bundle of energy down the flank.
Hunterstown will regret kicking 5 second half wides, around the period they were ahead, as well as hitting the crossbar through Mischa Rooney late on, as they converted 2-6 from 20 shots overall. O’Raghallaighs/St Oliver Plunketts made them pay, as a second goal from McCormack via the penalty spot, to go with another free, as well as a score from captain Emma Whyte sealed victory for the combination side, who will dine at the Senior Championship top table for 2024.
O’Raghallaighs/St Oliver Plunketts: Marianna Macari Kierans; Caitlin Johnson, Aimee Mynes, Emily Johnson; Caoimhe Brady, Neasa Early, Chloe Sawyer (0-1); Nora Conaghy, Orlaith McEntee; Louise Johnson (0-1), Caitlin O’Reilly, Seoda Mathews; Hannah Martin (0-2), Emma Whyte (0-1), Lainey McCormack (2-5) (2f). Subs: Lucie Rooney (0-1) for Brady (38), Nessa Lynch for Martin (56).
Hunterstown Rovers: Nicole Fitzgerald; Caoinhe Carolan, Anna Hickey, Mia McCartney; Lucy Taffe, Ruth Gillespie, Paulina Kelly; Abbie Sheridan, Ava McNally; Aine Fannin, Mischa Rooney (0-2) (1f), Clara Martin; Orlaith Carolan (1-1), Ruth McElroy, Sara Lynch (1-3). Subs: Jennifer Traynor for Fannin (43), Laura McElroy for McCartney (47), Theresa Russell for Lynch (50), Emma Gillespie for McElroy (56).