Connacht LGFA
Connacht LGFA
December 05, 2021
Roscommon impress in victory over Sligo that secures their spot in TG4 Connacht IFC final
Roscommon 3-21 Sligo 0-03
Roscommon passed with flying colours to advance to TG4 Connacht Intermediate Championship football final with an impressive victory over Sligo in Kiltoom.
Leading by 3-11 to 0-3 at half-time, wonder goals from Laura Fleming in the 7th Minute, Lisa O’Rourke in the 16th and Laura Fleming in the 28th settled Ollie Lennon’s charges and they pulled clear in the closing stages.
Victory means Roscommon will face either Sligo or Leitrim in the final.
Roscommon started in blistering fashion and were off the mark within seconds with Rebecca Finan opening the scoring. Sligo’s Leah Duffy replied with a score, Roscommon’s Lauren Shanagher roared back for the Primrose and Blues with a score.
Less than four minutes later Caroline Conway set up Ashling Hanly to double Roscommon’s lead and they continued to dominate with Rebecca Finan posting 3 more points, two frees, and goals from Laura Fleming in the 7th minute and goal from Lisa O’Rourke just before Kevin Corcoran blew the whistle for the waterbreak to stretch Roscommon’s lead to 2-7 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.
Rebecca Finan and Laura Fleming continued with great accuracy to increasing the lead Rebecca Point in the 24th and goal from Laura Fleming in the 28th and Ashling Hanly in the 29th Rebecca in the 31st and Laura Fleming in the 31st that pushed Roscommon 17 points clear. Caroling Conway and Ellen Irwin were vital in linking some excellent scores for the home side. Caroline Conway was outstanding with several great passes and overturns.
Scorers in first half Rebecca Finan 4 points 2 frees, Ashling Hanley 2 points, Laura Fleming 2 Goals 2 points, Lauren Shanagher 1 point, Lisa O’Rourke 1 Goal.
Sligo’s upped the tempo when play resumed, with stern words from their manager Anthony Brennan ringing in their ears Sligo improved in the third quarter.
Sligo’s Laura Foley forced Helena Cummins into a fine save. All of a sudden Roscommon were struggling to get out of their own half, but two Sligo wides in as many minutes eased the pressure, before Rebecca Finan added her third free of the day. Star forward Ashling Hanley was well shacklet throughout but still managed to kick a peach of a score in the second half.
Despite sligo’s improvement it was two points from Rebecca Finan either side of an Louise Brady’s score that stretched Roscommon’s lead. Roscommon replied with scores from Louise Brady (free) and Ellen Irwin.
However, the Sligo side failed to score in the Second Half. Points from Rebecca Finan Free and Louse Brady ensured Roscommon came out comfortable winners.
Scorers in second half Ashling Hanly 1 Point 33 mins, Rebecca Finan 2 points and 1 free, Louise Brady 3 points 1 free, Ellen Irwin 1 Point, Laura Fleming 1 Point.
Roscommon: Helena Cummins, Niamh McNamara, Sinead Kenny, Aine McGrath, Rachel Fitzmaurice, Rachel Brady, Saoirse Timon, Laura Fleming (2 Goals 3 Points), Lisa O’Rourke (1 Goal), Lauren Shanagher (1 Point), Caroline Conway, Niamh Feeney, Rebecca Finan (6 points & 3 free), Ashling Hanly (3 Points), Ellen Irwin (1 Point), Sasha Lavin, Abby Curran, Kelly Colgan, Louise Brady (2 Points & 1 Free), Shona Hanly, Natalie McHugh, Kate Nolan, Sarah McVeigh, Shannon McGuinness, Ella Thompson, Shannon Hibbitt, Meadbh Hanly, Rachel Freyne, Megan Banahan, Honor Ennis.
Sligo: Ellen Maguire, Aoife Morrisroe, Michelle McNamara, Ellie McDermott, Holly Davis, Claire Dunne, Jade Lyons, Laura Foley, Rachel O’Brien, Amy Hyndman, Aoife Haran, Leah Kelly, Leah Duffy, Micaela Gaffney, Megan McCormack, Beibhinn Harte, Orlagh Devlin, Tara Brehony, Roisin Molloy.
Substitues Abby Curran for Lauren Shanagher, Saoirse Timon for Shona Hanly, Shannon McGuinness for Ashling Hanly, Kelly Colgan for Aine McGrath.
Referee Kevin Corcoran Mayo