A marvellous day for Mooncoin in Intermediate League win over Danesfort

Mooncoin landed the intermediate league spoils, but they were made to work all the way by a dogged Danesfort before getting their hands on the silverware at UPMC Nowlan Park. Boasting a never-say-die attitude, they dug deep to bring the cup home.

The winners had to weather an early Danesfort storm before opening the scoring, Jessica Roche getting the first point of the match, but it didn’t take long for Aoife Farrell to land a reply.

Mooncoin went on the attack once more and edged ahead through a point from captain Laura Wall. The advantage didn’t last for long though, as another wave of pressure yielded a pointed free for Danesfort’s Olivia Mahony. She repeated the feat a few minutes later, this time from a much greater distance, splitting the uprights to push her side ahead.

The next attack was at the opposite side of the pitch as Muireann Gannon stood over a free for Mooncoin. Gannon passed the ball into Niamh Crowley, who turned her marker and headed for goal. A number of Danesfort defenders stood between her and the goal, so she made the sensible decision to pop the ball over the bar on the 13 yard line.

In a game which was rapidly turning into a battle of the free-takers, Mahony added another placed ball to her tally. Their next move saw an excellent interception from Niamh Madden end in a foul, allowing Mahony to take the free and widen the gap to two points. It didn’t stay that way for long though, as Deirdre Walsh pointed another free for Mooncoin.

Danesfort were moving well and hit a purple patch when they landed the next three points, two coming from placed balls. The third point, scored by captain Deirdre Phelan, was an excellent display of skill as she picked the ball first time and turned her marker. Using pure strength Phelan took on the next player, got around her and fired the ball over the bar.

Immediately afterwards Mooncoin went on the attack. From almost out of nothing, the sliotar was in the back of the net. A long ball put in from the puckout landed in front of Deirdre Walsh, who cleverly allowed the sliotar to beat both her and her marker. One on one with goalkeeper Bronagh Davis, Walsh made no mistake as she lashed the sliotar to the back of the net.

The goal was a huge one for Mooncoin, as it left the bare minimum between the teams at the break (0-8 to 1-4).

It didn’t take Mooncoin long to get back on level terms after the restart, Deirdre Walsh restoring parity from a free. Danesfort rallied and thought they had taken a big lead when they hit the Mooncoin net from their next attack, but the joy was shortlived as referee Eamon Larkin ruled the sliotar had been picked off the ground in the build-up. The free was taken by Marianne Walsh and worked down the field, ending in a point for Hannah Cooney.

On a roll, Mooncoin landed the next two points, both coming from midfielder Ava Sutton. Her brace meant Mooncoin had now scored four unanswered points at the beginning of the half.

Danesfort knew they needed a big response. Led by the hard work of their captain Deirdre Phelan and Eve Dunne they fought for chances, winning frees which were converted by Olivia Mahony. Mooncoin remained calm and kept their lead by adding another two points to the tally. The first came from a 45, scored by Deirdre Walsh who had been in excellent form all day.

The second score sealed the silverware, as captain Laura Wall gave her side a three-point cushion. Despite facing into a tight angle, Wall made it look easy as she pucked the ball over the bar.

Both teams will now face into championship action. Mooncoin play Glenmore, while Danesfort take on Ballyhale. The other quarter-finals will see Conahy Shamrocks play O’Loughlin Gaels and St Lachtain’s take on Mullinavat.

Teams and scorers

Mooncoin - Deirdre Walsh (1-3, 0-2 free, 0-1 45); Laura Wall, Ava Sutton (0-2 each); Niamh Crowley, Jessica Roche, Hannah Cooney (0-1 each).

Danesfort - Olivia Mahony (0-6, frees); Shauna Mahony, Aoife Farrell, Niamh Davis, Deirdre Phelan (0-1 each).

Mooncoin - Ellen Crowley; Marianne Walsh, Niamh Madden, Mairead Corcoran; Eimear Quilty, Sarah Crowley, Emily Crowley; Muireann Gannon, Ava Sutton; Deirdre Walsh, Laura Dillon Dunphy, Jessica Roche; Niamh Crowley, Laura Wall, Hannah Cooney.

Sub: Keelin Henebery for Mairead Corcoran (inj).

Danesfort - Bronagh Davis; Clodagh Davis, Caroline Booth, Maria Comerford; Laura Dunne, Muireann Kelly, Aileen Gleeson; Eve Dunne, Ciara Gleeson; Aoife Farrell, Deirdre Phelan, Niamh Davis; Leah Ireland Wall, Olivia Mahony, Shauna Mahony.

Subs: Louisa Gilmore for Leah Ireland Wall, Jill O’Brien for Clodagh Davis, Jenny Brennan for Aileen Gleeson, Emily Hughes for Aoife Farrell.

Referee - Eamon Larkin (James Stephens).