The great escape as Offaly ladies avoid the drop

Offaly Ladies made the long trip to Sligo on Sunday afternoon for the final round of the 2023 Lidl National Football League knowing only a victory here would save there Division 3 status for the 2024 season.

Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 3 

Offaly 2-12 

Sligo 1-13

Heading in on the back of six defeats thus far in the campaign the Faithful ladies were huge underdogs going into this clash, but showed serious character to grind out a massive victory to avoid making an unwanted return to Division 4 football.

It was Offaly who raced into an early four points to no score lead before the hosts got into the groove with three answered points. Both sides exchanged points before a Leah Duffy goal for the hosts gave her side a surprising two point lead at the break 1-4 to 0-5.

Offaly responded well early in the second half and two early goals in the opening quarter from Roisin Cockram put the visitors into the lead and gave her side huge confidence heading into the final quarter

Bothe sides exchanged points in the last quarter of this clash and knowing nothing only a victory would do the Faithful ladies defended well to ensure that the hosts would never get their noses back infront and held on for a very badly needed two point win.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAM

Offaly: Kelley Cunningham (Tullamore); Kaythlin Flynn (St Manchans) Ava Dolan (Shamrocks) Anna Grehan (Naomh Ciaran); Nicole Farrelly (Edenderry) Emer Nally (Naomh Ciaran) Michelle Mann (Naomh Molaoise); Emma Maher (Naomh Ciaran) Amy Gavin-Mangan (Naomh Ciaran); Roisin Ennis (c) (Naomh Ciaran) Emma Hand (Ballinamere/Durrow), Saoirse  McGuinness St Manchans; Emily Bailey (Tullamore) 0-1, Roisin Mealiffe (Ballinamere/Durrow), Roisin Cochram (Naomh Ciaran). Subs:  Nicole Buckley (Naomh Ciaran) for Nicole Farrelly, Eve Kelly (Clara) for Emer Nally, Ciara Walsh Naomh Molaoise) for Roisin Mealiffe, Dawn Hannon (Rhode) for Saoirse McGuinness.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Roisin Cockram. Roisin’s return from injury in recent weeks has ultimately proved to be the difference here. One would wonder had she been available in some of the previous games would Offaly have finished higher up the table. However Cockram was brilliant today leading the attack and being ruthless infront of the posts for her side. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The 2-2 Offaly scored in the opening moments of the second half was crucial here as Offaly led for the remainder of the game. 

TALKING POINT

Heading into this game Offaly were favorites to go down, but the character of this group was incredible considering the volume of players who have made themselves unavailable for this season. This could be a massive turning point in Offalys season with championship coming thick and fast.

VENUE WATCH

St Mary’s hosted this game very well and were very welcoming towards the traveling Offaly Contingent. The pitch held up remarkably well considering the rainfall throughout the week

WHAT'S NEXT

It was the end of the campaign for both sides and with Longford losing to Clare it meant both Offaly and Sligo avoided the relegation drop and ensured they would remain in Division three for the 2024 campaign. 

THE SCORERS

Roisin Cockram 2-3, Emma Hand, Saoirse McGuinness 0-2 each, Amy Gavin Mangan, Emily Bailey, Roisin Mealiffe, Eve Kelly and Ciara Walsh 0-1each