Murphy points the way as O'Loughlins make county decider

O’Loughlin Gaels are into their first intermediate county final, but needed extra-time to see off Mullinavat in Thomastown on Saturday.

Ciara Phelan was named to start at full-back but started at corner-forward and slotted over the first point for Mullinavat.

Laura Murphy equalised for O’Loughlins before the city side added two more points through Emma Poyntz and Laura Greene.

Seana Davis then tacked on Mullinavat’s second point from a free. Jessica Dunphy and Murphy swapped points before Seana Davis pointed another free for the southern team which was sandwiched between two Ena Lawlor points.

Laura Murphy slotted over her fourth point, to make it 0-8 to 0-4.

O’Loughlin Gaels then slotted over three points through Laura Greene, Emma Poyntz - a great point from a tight angle - and Laura Murphy.

Seana Davis and Laura Murphy shot over two points each for both sides.

Eva Collins got on the scoresheet for O’Loughlins with a point from play.

Heading towards half-time Seana Davis pointed a free for Mullinavat to leave the interval score 0-13 to 0-8 in favour of the city side.

On the resumption of play, O’Loughlins hit the ground running again, with Murphy adding four unanswered points to push out the lead to nine points.

In the 45th minute, Mullinavat got a lifeline when Julianne Malone ran from midfield at speed towards the O’Loughlin’s goal.

She hit a rasper and it flew into the back of the net.

Murphy and Davis traded points.

Then in the 52nd minute, Leanne Fennelly headed towards the O’Loughlins goal, passed out the sliotar to Julianne Malone. As she was about to pull the trigger she was brought down in the square and the referee awarded a penalty.

Ciara Phelan hit the penalty with power but it was saved and Mullinavat’s Aoife Woods was quickest to react and the back of the net rattled; now there was three points between the teams

O’Loughlins didn’t score again, with Seana Davis hitting two pointed frees to bring it to the minimum.

Then in the 63rd minute, Jessica Dunphy scored the equalising point over at the electronic scoreboard sideline to send the match to extra-time.

For the entire period of extra-time O’Loughlin’s took absolute control, keeping Mullinavat scoreless. Laura Murphy added another three points and Laura Greene scored a goal with a bullet-like shot to the back of the net.

Laura Murphy scored another two points in the second period of extra time to bring her tally to 17 points on the day and sealing her side’s place in the final, where they will take on Mooncoin.

Teams and Scorers

O’Loughlin Gaels – Laura Murphy (0-17, 0-10 frees); Laura Greene (1-2); Emma Poyntz (0-2); Ena Lawlor, Eva Collins (0-1 each).

Mullinavat – Seana Davis (0-8, frees); Julianne Malone, Aoife Woods (1-0 each); Jessica Dunphy (0-3); Ciara Phelan (0-1).

O’Loughlin Gaels – Kate Furlong, Ailbhe Galwey, Nessa Galwey, Jen Holohan, Hannah Quinn, Danielle Quigley, Abigael Egan, Laura Greene, Jen O’Keeffe, Kate Lawless, Laura Murphy, Emma Poyntz, Eva Collins, Ruth Crowley, Ena Lawlor.

Subs: Aoife Shealy for Kate Lawless, Aisling Butler for Eva Collins, Siofra O’Leary.

Mullinavat – Ava Dunphy, Michelle O’Connor, Leanne Fennelly, Aoife Fitzpatrick, Jessica Catt, Hannah Dunphy, Ena Coughlan, Seana Davis, Julianne Malone, Christine Murphy, Aoife Woods (Captain), Cliodhna Walsh, Sarah Walsh, Jessica Dunphy, Ciara Phelan.

Subs: Angela Kenneally for Christine Murphy, Ria Madigan for Jessica Catt, Mia Phelan for Cliodhna Walsh.