Dominant second half performance helps Rhode claim Intermediate title

Bretland Construction Intermediate Ladies Football Championship Final

RHODE 4-10

ST MANCHAN'S 2-10

A DOMINANT second half performance helped Rhode claim the Offaly Ladies Football Intermediate title when they defeated St Manchan's by a two goal margin in the final played at The Faithful Fields on Saturday.

After an even opening half during which both sides enjoyed periods of domiannce, Rhode took over after the break and scored 2-6 without reply in the first 18 minutes to ensure that they would return home with the Paul Jordan Cup.

Rhode had suffered defeat in last year's final but they weren't going to be denied on this occasion and while St Manchan's made a late rally, Rhode had enough of a cushion to ensure that they held on to claim the victory.

The first half ebbed to and fro. Backed by the wind St Manchan's had the better of the early exchanges and were two points up early on but Rhode then enjoyed a period of supremacy and in an eight minute spell outsccored St Manchan's by 2-3 to 0-1 to open up a clear two goal lead.

St Manchan's bounced back in the latter stages of the first half and finished it the stronger scoring 1-4 without reply to go in leading at half time by 1-8 to 2-4.

The third quarter was all one way traffic. Rhod e were level inside a minute and bagged their third goal 30 seconds later and they started to turn the screw. A fourth goal followed six minutes later and by the 48^th minute they were 11 points up. They didn't score again after that and while St Manchan's did hit 1-2 late on, they never looked like closing the gap enough to deny Rhode victory.

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Over the hour Rhode were the stronger team. They played a good game against the wind in the first half and then took advantage of the elements after the break. They ran strongly at St Manchan's when playing into the wind and that helped create the openings for scores. They had a good kick out strategy and always had someone available to take the ball from the kick out and they built their attacks well from there.

St Manchan's weren't as alert from their kick outs and thus found it harder to retain possession. Rhode put good pressure on in those situations and managed to turn over the ball on a number of occasions and turn that into scores.

Rhode were in control in defence in the second half and until that late rally, St Manchan's had little sight of goals after the break and it took them 24 minutes to get their first score. By that stage Rhode were well in command and had the luxury of throwing on subs late in the game to allow them have part of a great victory.

Credit must go to St Manchan's for never giving up and those late scores gave them brief hope. They played well in the first half and used the ball well but they depended too much on captain Caoimhe Lynam for scores and she accounted for 2-7 to their 2-10. They needed to be further ahead at half time having had wind advantage and they were made to pay for that after the break a Rhode pulled away.

Dawn Hannon did well at full back for Rhode with Holly Scally and Aine Scully also playing well in defence. Chloe Smith and Grainne Foy were a formidable partnership at midfield while in attack Abbi Stafford, Kerri Kellaghan and Ella Coughlan caused most damage.

For St Manchan's Eva Donlon, Anne Marie McCormack and Kara Daly impressed in defence, Hannah Doolan worked hard at midfield and in attack Ssaoirse McGuinness and Caoimhe Lynam carried most threat.

It took both sides time to settle down as they battled to come to terms with the strong wind. Both had registered a number of wides before St Manchan's opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Caoimhe Lynam pointed a free. Rhode quickly levelled through an Ella Coughlan point but St Manchan's hit back and Caoimhe Lynam and Saoirse McGuinness both kicked points to leave them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes.

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Rhode began to come more into the game and Emma Scally and Chloe Smith had them level just past the midway point of the first half. From the kick out from the latter score, Abbi Stafford won the ball and drilled her shot low to the net. They were close to another goal a minute later when a good move set up Kerri Kellaghan but she fired her shot just over the bar.

Caoimhe Lynam kicked a badly needed point for St Manchan's but Rhode came back in the 21^st minute and Grainne Foy and Abbi Stafford where involved in setting up the chance for Emma Scally and she sent a great shot to the roof of the net to leave them 2-4 to 0-4 in front.

St Manchan's needed a response and they got it. Avril Flynn kicked a point and that was quickly followed by a goal when Caoimhe Lynam's underhit shot slipped under Lauren Dunne and into the net. She then added a free before Avril Flynn's break from defence led to Saoirse McGuinness levelling.Caoimhe Lynam added another just before the break and Manchan's led by 1-8 to 2-4 at half time.

Just under a minute after the restart Kerri Kellaghan levelled from a free and when Rhode won possession from the kick out, a good move led to Abbi Stafford gaining possession and she sent a low shot to the net. The same player added a point four minutes later before Rhode struck for their fourth goal with Abbi Stafford, Emma Scally and Grainne Foy being involved in the build up before Ella Coughlan found the net. Kerri Kellaghan quickly added another point as Rhode took a grip on the game.

Kayla Fleming kicked another point before Kerri Kellaghan added another brace of points and Rhode were 11 points up with 12 minutes left but they failed to score again after that. Goalkeeper Lauren Dunne pulled off a terrific save at the expense of a '45' to maintain their advantage.

St Manchan's came more into it late on and after Caoimhe Lynam pointed two frees she found the net from another close range free with two minutes left to leave two goals in it. However Rhode were able to see it out from there as they held on for victory.

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MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

RHODE: Lauren Dunne; Grace Malone, Dawn Hannon, Ellen Dunne; Jade Scally, Holly Scally, Aine Scully; Grainne Foy, Chloe Smith; Emma Scally, Kayla Fleming, Ella Coughlan; Kerri Kellaghan, Abbi Stafford, Grainne Smith. Subs. Chloe Molloy (for Jade Scally, 39 mins), Beth Dunne (for Grainne Smith, 51 mins), Muireann Foy (for Ellen Dunne, 51 mins), Katie Killeen (for Kerri Kellaghan, 58 mins).

ST MANCHAN'S: Sheola Rosney; Amy Lehane, Eva Donlon, Irene Murphy; Avril Flynn, Anne Marie McCormack, Kara Daly; Eabha Mai Tierney, Hannah Doolan; Saoirse McGuinness, Caoimhe Lynam, Orla Ross; Aine Flynn, Katie Doolan, Sarah Cleary. Subs. Heidi Murray (for Sarah Cleary, 39 mins), Kathylyn Flynn (for Orla Ross, 39 mins), Emma Kelly (for Aine Flynn, 51 mins), Lucy Champ (for Amy Lehane, 51 mins).

REFEREE: Kelley Cunningham.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Caoimhe Lynam was the leading contender for St Manchan's with 2-7 of their total and for Rhode the main contenders were Grainne Foy, Kerri Kellaghan and Abbi Stafford. Kerri Kellaghan got the official award but I've gone with Abbi Stafford. She scored both goals in a tally of 2-1 and when she moved out to a half forward role in the second half, she was much more influential in the game and dictated much of Rhode's best moves from there on in a confident display.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Having trailed by a point at half time, Rhode got the perfect start to the second half with a goal and a point inside the first minute and a half and that swung the game very much in their favour. They added another 1-2 in the following eight minutes to really take control.

REFEREE WATCH

Kelley Cunningham did a very good job. She was strong and consistent in her rulings at all times - Rhode were penalised at least six times for overcarrying. She kept play moving as much as possible in a good performance.

WHAT’S NEXT

Rhode finish the year as champions and will move up to senior grade next year while St Manchan's will have to try and do it all again.

VENUE WATCH

After the effects of Storm Amy, the Faithful Fields was in fine condition for this game. The LGFA had everything arranged well for their finals day with plenty of stewards on duty to look after parking, a PA in operation and a good programme for both finals.

STATISTICS

Wides; Rhode 6 (3 in first half) St Manchan's 4 (4 in first half)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Rhode; Abbi Stafford (2-1), Kerri Kellaghan (0-5, 0-1 free), Ella Coughlan, Emma Scally (1-1 each), Chloe Smith, Kayla Fleming (0-1 each).

St Manchan's; Caoimhe Lynam (2-7, 1-4 frees), Saoirse McGuinness (0-2), Avril Flynn (0-1).

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