Roscommon LGFA IFC Final
Boyle 3-14 St Ciaran’s 4-4
Boyle were the impressive winners of the intermediate title at Ballyleague on Saturday last. While St Ciaran’s were able to stay in contention due to their goal threat, Boyle thoroughly deserved to win. Inspired by a brilliant display by Aisling Feely, who scored an incredible total of 2-8, Boyle were in control all the way through and were comfortable seven-point winners in the end.
On a perfect day for football there was drama inside the first minute when St Ciaran’s’ Niamh Farrell fell awkwardly and sustained what appeared to be a nasty leg injury. The game was stopped for 24 minutes as Niamh was treated and brought away by ambulance.
When play resumed it was Boyle who dominated. By the 18th minute they led by 2-4 to 0-1. Aisling Feely converted a penalty in the 17th minute and a minute later Kate Harrington blasted home from close-range. A well-taken goal from Rebecca Brennan gave Ciaran’s some hope. At half-time Boyle were 2-5 to 1-2 ahead.
In the 34th minute Ciaran’s scored their second goal, a well-taken effort from sub Rachel Murray, but Boyle took over again and by the 45th minute it was 3-9 to 2-2, with Aisling Feely converting their second penalty of the game after a foul on Shannon Kerins.
In fairness to St Ciaran’s they never gave up and Ciara Dowd grabbed their third goal in the 47th minute. A minute later a superb solo effort from the lion-hearted Laura Fleming saw the margin down to four points again (3-9 to 4-2).
Boyle flexed their muscles in the final ten minutes, outscoring Ciaran’s by 0-5 to 0-2 with Aisling Feely on target with two of those points.
Aisling Feely was the best player on the field and was an inspiration for Boyle throughout. Roisin Wynne, Saoirse Wynne, Micheala Ward and Shannon Kerins were also impressive for the winners.
For St Ciaran’s, Ciara Dowd, Laura Fleming (who was carrying an injury), Shauna Fitzmaurice and sub Rachel Murray were most prominent.
Boyle: Shauna Moran; Niamh Beirne, Isabelle King, Shannon Kerins (0-1); Suzie Keenehan, Roisin Wynne, Saoirse Wynne; Ruth Cox, Caoimhe Cregg; Natasha Regan (0-1), Michaela Ward (0-3), Grace Flanagan; Aisling Feely (2-8, 2-0 pens), Kate Harrington (1-0), Heather Kerins (0-1). Subs: Megan McKeon for H Kerins (50).
St Ciaran’s: Eabha Dowd; Niamh Brandon, Shauna Fitzmaurice, Jenny Flynn; Niamh O’Rourke, Tara Naughton, Ciara Carr; Meabh Tiernan, Rachel Fitzmaurice; Anna Murray, Laura Fleming (1-1), Rebecca Brennan (1-0); Niamh Farrell, Ciara Dowd (1-3, two frees), Eala Coyle. Subs: Sheena Kilroe for Farrell (1), Rachel Murray (1-0) for Murray (h/t), Sadbh Connolly for O’Rourke (41), Aideen O’Brien for Coyle (54), Emma O’Rourke for Flynn (59).
Referee: Paul Fahy.
Player of the Match
Aisling Feely (Boyle)
