County Intermediate Championship LGF semi-final: Mullingar Shamrocks 4-13 Kilbeggan Shamrocks 0-4.

Inspired by some superb play by a full-forward line of Emma Morris, Anna Jones and Karen Hegarty who scored 3-13 between them and excellent fielding by Michelle Buckley, especially from the long restarts of Lauren McCormack, Mullingar Shamrocks comfortably qualified for the county intermediate final in what was an excellent team display. The final against Coralstown-Kinnegad has been scheduled for Saturday 7 September at 4.00 pm at a venue to be confirmed. Emma Morris sent Shamrocks into an early lead with two good points and Karen Hegarty added a third. This point started with a Lauren McCormack restart which was fielded by Michelle Buckley who transferred to Susanna Buckley. Susanna released Anna Jones who provided the final pass that gave Karen the simple task of pointing. At this stage Shamrocks dominated largely due to the excellence of midfielders Michelle Buckley and Laura Whitelaw and the work rate and mobility of the half forward line of Carole Finch, Áine Melody and Susanna Buckley. This quintet ensured that the full-forward trio received a constant supply of good quality raw material to manufacture scores. Emma Morris added a point from play but the Kilbeggan Shamrocks popped over three points to reduce the deficit after 15 minutes (0-4 to 0-3). Shamrocks regained the initiative and some great saves from Sabrina Jackson foiled a number of goal scoring opportunities. Some great play by Chloe Swarbrigg enabled Anna Jones to extend the Shamrocks lead before Carole Finch and Áine Melody combined to send Anna Jones through on goal. Anna was taken down and Emma Morris slotted the resultant penalty to the net. Anna Jones added another point before another great piece of combined play ended with Áine Melody delivering the final pass to Karen Hegarty who finished to the net. Emma and Anna added two more points to produce an interval score of 2-8 to 0-3 in favour of the Mullingar Shamrocks. Karen Hegarty added three points after the interval, the second from a great Tara Fagan (who was superb at centre-back) interception and pass to Karen who soloed from the wing and finished in style. Anna Jones pointed and Sabrina Jackson continued to make great saves but was eventually beaten for a third time by Susanna Buckley with her namesake Michelle prominent in the creation of this score. Anna Jones scored a fourth goal before a Máiread Newman pass set up Karen Hegarty for the final score of the day. Although the full-forward line captured much of the limelight their excellence was facilitated by the great work of our midfielders and half-forwards. They in turn were supported by a dominant half-back line of Chloe Swarbrigg, Melek Fagan and one of the players of the day, Tara Fagan. Behind them Lorna, Liveta and Sophie formed a very solid full back line which ensured that Lauren McCormack had a comfortable morning between the posts. Lauren's restarts were long and their accuracy enabled Michelle Buckley display her fielding skills to great advantage.

Mullingar Shamrocks: Lauren McCormack; Lorna Morris, Liveta Lazauskaite, Sophie Hegarty; Chloe Swarbrigg, Tara Fagan, Melek Fagan; Michelle Buckley, Laura Whitelaw ; Susanna Buckley (1-0), Áine Melody (Máiread Newman), Carole Finch (Laura Culkin); Emma Morris (1-4), Anna Jones (1-4), Karen Hegarty (1-5).