Moate CS girls march on to final as goals seal victory

Moate CS 4-10 OLSP College, Knock 2-4

Moate Community School made the long trip to Darver more than worthwhile recently by booking their place in the LGFA All-Ireland Junior ‘A’ Championship final.

Moate CS eventually recorded a convincing victory over Our Lady & St Patrick’s College, Knock, though it was only in the closing stages that the Westmeath side’s coaches Fidelma Quinn and Amy Hughes could relax.

The eventual winners led by two points at the interval and second-half goals from Chloe Malone and Anna Ryan (two) sealed victory.

Although OLSP College is located on the outskirts of Belfast, it is in Co. Down and, interestingly, both sides wore jerseys of their respective counties to prevent a clash of colours. Moate CS were kitted out in Westmeath’s second strip of green, while OLSP wore the red and black of Down for this semi-final.

There was a fresh breeze blowing at the Protection & Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver as the action got underway on Ash Wednesday. The tricky wind appeared to be favouring Moate in the opening half.

Demonstrating some patient build-up play in the face of their opponents’ packed defence, Moate took the initiative with early points from Alex Kelly and Chloe Malone (fourth minute).

Evie McHugh, one of two changes to the listed OLSP line-up, earned and converted a free for her side’s first score. Grace Guest then threatened a goal and although her shot was well saved by MCS keeper Lilly Daly, the referee brought play back for a free, which McHugh again pointed, levelling matters by the seventh minute.

At the other end, Kelly edged MCS back in front with a free, before the game’s first goal arrived (ninth minute). There was an element of good fortune attached as MCS midfielder Erin Ó Faoláin played the ball inside and with Knock guilty of some lax defending, Caulry’s Karrissa Burns got the final touch to finish the ball to the net.

The Knock girls responded with a goal of their own within a couple of minutes. From Moate’s point of view, it was a soft goal to concede with Abigail Hanvey’s shot trickling into the net.

Not for the first time, however, Malone showed the way by firing over two points from play, with her ability to shoot from long range proving a valuable asset. Kelly was involved in setting up that Malone brace and the Cill Óige player soon added a pointed free of her own.

On 24 minutes, the Ulster champions notched their second goal, Grace Guest firing home after Rose Horisk created the chance. But another fine point from Malone left Moate CS leading 1-7 to 2-2 at half-time.

Shortly after the restart, the Leinster champions had a goal chance but Anna Ryan was unable to find the net off a rebound. McHugh’s third pointed free edged Knock closer but with players like Lucy Martin and Erin Ó Faoláin becoming increasingly influential, Moate soon regained control.

Wearing number 5 but now operating as a wing-forward, Martin hit two points and was involved in several attacks. Kelly added a point her continual endeavour deserved, and Moate CS took a major step towards the final when Malone’s shot from the right found the net (43rd minute).

At the other end, MCS midfielder Heidi Murray helped by her defence by blocking Guest’s shot, while her St Manchan's clubmate Heather Touhey was also covering plenty of ground. Team captain Aine Bracken was a strong presence in defence, while Athlone’s Lucy Allen was involved in numerous attacks.

The impressive Malone soon set up a goal chance for Anna Ryan, who was unlucky to see her shot crash off the crossbar, with MCS unable to find the target from two follow-up efforts.

Ryan was then denied by Anna Tinnelly’s fine save after an incisive run from the skilful attacker.

While some of Moate’s finishing lacked composure, Knock ran out of ideas in their attempts to turn the tide despite the efforts of Hanvey and Guest among others.

Anna Ryan finally struck for the goal she had been threatening in the 58th minute, after being set up by Malone.

And Ryan went on to grab another goal in the last minute of regulation time, finding the net with a well-placed shot into the corner.

The outcome was undoubtedly decided at this stage, with a point in stoppage time from OLSP captain Hannah Cassin a mere crumb of consolation.

Player of the match: Chloe Malone (Moate CS). The Moate player’s ability to shoot from long range made her a trump card in the first half. She wasn’t as influential in the second period but still scored a goal and set up another for the always threatening sniper Anna Ryan.

What’s next: In the other semi-final, played in Banagher on the same day, Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles defeated High Cross College, Tuam. Moate CS are due to meet the Thurles outfit in the All-Ireland final on Thursday, March 20 in Tullamore (throw-in 1pm).

Scorers - Moate CS: C Malone 1-4; A Ryan 2-0; A Kelly 0-4 (1f); K Burns 1-0; L Martin 0-2. OLSP College: A Hanvey and G Guest 1-0 each; E McHugh 0-3 (3f); H Cassin 0-1.

Moate Community School: Lilly Daly; Maria Loddick, Nessa Trainor, Hannah Pratlett; Lucy Martin, Aine Bracken (captain), Sophie Padden; Erin Ó Faoláin, Heidi Murray; Alex Kelly, Chloe Malone, Lucy Allen; Karrissa Burns, Anna Ryan, Heather Touhey. Subs used: Riona Foley for N Trainor; Grace Galvin and Leyla Jones for M Loddick and K Burns. Rest of panel: Cliona Molloy, Libby McHugh, Maire Cronin, Aisling Murphy, Katieann McHugh, Grace Dolan, Zara Moran, Laura Fox, Megan Heavin, Diana Heavin, Katie Meares, Aoife Ross (injured).

Our Lady & St Patrick’s College, Knock: Anna Tinnelly; Orlaith Mann, Helen McGeough, Orla McReynolds; Orla Hughes, Hannah Cassin (captain), Ellen Farrell; Emer McKee, Olivia McCusker; Rose Horisk, Evie McHugh, Abigail Hanvey; Caitriona Blaney, Grace Guest, Aleine Donnelly.

Referee: Angela Gallagher (Meath).