Collins shines as clinical Saints down gallant Caulry

Paul Doolin

On a damp and dreary Tuesday evening last in TEG Cusack Park, a well drilled and physically more imposing Rochfortbridge side had simply too much fire-power for a plucky and gallant, but ultimately outplayed Caulry.

The 'Bridge had scorers all over the pitch and took their chances well, while Caulry were very reliant on full forward Kate Stuart-Trainor, who scored all but one of their tally. That being said, we were treated to a very entertaining and lively game that showed the ladies game in the Lake County in is rude health.

From the off St Mary's were in control and while it took them quite a while to trouble the scoreboard they eventually began to turn their dominance into scores. Abbie Nugent opened the scoring with a free. This was followed by an opportunist strike from Elizabeth Carey, a fine team score finished by Kiera Kelly; Nugent again from play this time; Carey from a Caulry defensive mistake; and then a wonderful goal from Nugent after a mazy run by Orla Collins set her up.

Stuart-Trainor opened Caulry's account after 23 minutes.

She added a penalty that was expertly finished, but it was mere respite as Collins and another Nugent free saw the 'Bridge girls lead comfortably by 1-7 to 1-1 at the short whistle.

After the restart St Mary's went for the jugular immediately and Kiera Kelly added a fine point from play before Orla Collins netted a brilliantly finished goal after starting and finishing the move herself. When Abbie Nugent added a point it really was game over even at this point.

Caulry refused to bend the knee though and Kate Stuart-Trainor added two points to her tally, one a free and the other possibly the best score of the game to keep them in touch. Nugent, however, converted another free for the winners and when Collins set up Levahna Cleary for goal number three for the ‘Bridge it was all over as a contest.

Eunice David and the excellent Stuart-Trainor added late points for Caulry, but Abbie Nugent ended the scoring for the Saints with a sublime finish to what was another excellent move. Despite two very late yellow cards Rochfortbridge had already done more than enough to seal the victory here and they cruised through the final minutes to secure a well-deserved Division Two title.

Scorers - St Mary's: Abbie Nugent 1-6 (2f), Orla Collins 1-1, Kiera Kelly 0-3, Levahna Cleary 1-0, Elizabeth Carey 0-1. Caulry: Kate Stuart-Trainor 1-4 (1f), Eunice David 0-1.

St Mary's: Edel Fox; Anna Maloney, Aoibhinn Berry, Ciara Hennessy; Kelsey McGreal, Lucy Brogan, Caoimhe Darcy; Elizabeth Carey, Orla Collins; Keeley Gavin, Grace Clarke, Abbie Nugent; Mia Kelly, Kiera Kelly, Levahna Cleary. Subs used: Brooke Joyce, Grace McQuaid, Kaylah Daly.

Caulry: Lilly O’Connor; Amelia Nally, Grace Shorthall, Sophie Browne; Aisling Murphy, Ciara Nally, Aine Broderick; Eunice David, Abbie Quinn; Niamh Noone, Karissa Burns, Malie Corcoran; Chloe Duane, Kate Stuart-Trainor; Eadaoin Casey. Subs used: Grace David, Isabelle Madden.

Referee: Bilal Moran.