Ladies Gaelic Football League, Div. 1: Mullingar Shamrocks 7-10 St Loman’s 0-6.
No doubt about it this was the performance of the week (or maybe of the year so far) by a Mullingar Shamrocks team. The players have been working hard on their fitness levels since early January and this was very evident from the tackling and support play on offer on Sunday evening in Lakepoint Park. Shamrocks were the dominant team in the first-half but failed to transfer this to the scoreboard as a series of wides and missed chances ruined some superb approach play. The Shamrocks full-forward line of Carole Finch, Clara Thornton and Casey McDermott in particular impressed and were clearly on top of their game. Understrength St Loman’s too missed some good chances and Lucy McCartan on a few occasions raced through the Shamrocks defence without converting the opportunities. St Loman’s established an early two-point lead courtesy of two pointed frees from Bridget Heslin before Mullingar Shamrocks goaled when Áine Melody lobbed the St Loman’s goalkeeper. Vicky Carr and Lucy McCartan (2) added points, Emma Morris, in her comeback game, responded with 0-2 to leave the half-time score reading 0-6 to 1-2 in favour of St Loman’s.
Anna Jones (0-2), Niamh Kennedy, Clara Thornton and Emma Morris added points on the resumption before Anna Jones scored the crucial second goal for Shamrocks. It began when Sophie Hegarty chased down a lost cause to regain possession, Carol Finch moved the ball forward to Emma Morris who in turn found Anna Jones who crashed the ball past the St Loman’s goalkeeper (2-7 to 0-6). Shamrocks non-stop attacking play now began to reap dividends, Clara Thornton added a goal, substitute Shona McNicholas smashed a goal with her first touch and Anna Jones now playing up-front added two more goals before referee Jim Rock blew the final whistle with Mullingar Shamrocks leading by 7-10 to 0-6.
This was a superb team victory characterised by superb tackling, a ferocious work rate and excellent support play. Two players deserve special mention. Anna Jones excelled in mid-field with her fielding, work-rate and distribution and later in attack and the experience Anna has gained from her involvement with the Westmeath senior team is clear. However, the star of the night was Clara Thornton who rounded off her twenty-first birthday celebrations with a brilliant performance at full-forward and was simply unstoppable on the night.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Loren McCormack; Lorna Morris (Michelle Morris, 0-1), Chloe Flood, Melek Fagan; Cliodhna Spellman, Níamh Spellman, Áine Melody [1-0] (Faye Walsh, 0-1); Michelle Buckley and Anna Jones (3-2); Tara Fagan, Emma Morris (0-3), Niamh Kennedy [0-1] (Shona McNicholas, 1-0); Carole Finch (Liveta Lazauskaite), Clara Thornton [2-2], Casey McDermott (Sophie Hegarty).
