Kilglass ladies rise!

Abbey Hotel Ladies IFC Final Kilglass Gaels 3-8 Éire Óg 1-8 Kilglass Gaels gained promotion to the Roscommon ladies’ Senior Football Championship with a famous victory over a fancied Éire Óg team in Knockcroghery last Saturday afternoon. Consistent effort over the course of an hour brought about victory for the 2007 County Intermediate champions; rigid adherence to an astute tactical plan for 60 minutes paved the way to success for Kilglass Gaels. Nicola and Louise Tully, Natalie McHugh, Sinéad Flynn and Linda Corcoran were the most prominent members of a team that played to its strengths against a fancied, talented, but ultimately unsuccessful Éire Óg team. The victory represents spectacular progression for the Gaels: Kilglass will compete in next year’s senior championship – having competed in last year’s junior competition. This defeat was particularly disappointing for Éire Óg. The Loughglynn-Lisacul girls have stood on the doorstep of the senior championship for several years and established players like the Maddens at midfield and Ruth Corrigan have hankered after intermediate silverware for some time. The game and the championship were within Éire Óg’s reach too: their failure to match Kilglass’s goal tally was the critical factor in this contest. Louise Tully, Natalie McHugh and Rita Hagan scored the decisive goals for the county champions. The first – a converted penalty by Tully – gave the Gaels a three-point lead after 22 minutes which they never relinquished. The second goal from McHugh after half-time consolidated the lead for the Rooskey team and then victory was secured by wing-forward Hagan’s goal 10 minutes from time. Player of the match: Natalie McHugh played superbly for Kilglass in this match and was a crucial link between her team’s midfield and sharp-shooting full-forward Nicola Tully. Natalie also chipped in with an impressive and important 1-2 over the course of the hour. Kilglass Gaels: Majella Cox; Sinéad Flynn, Emer Walsh, Cíara McHugh; Tara Kilcommins, Emma Compton, Rachel Corcoran; Louise Tully (1-0, pen), Linda Corcoran; Rita Hagan (1-0), Natalie McHugh (1-2), Sinéad Connellan; Tiana Kelly (0-2), Nicola Tully (0-4), Aoife McGuire. Subs used: Cíara McGuire for Lennon (50 mins.). Sinéad Flynn for Connellan (50 mins.). Éire Óg: Linda Hanley; Ruth Flanagan, Kattie Barrett, Rachel Madden; Lorraine McNulty, Michelle Mulrennan, Joan McNulty; Ruth Madden (0-2), Rebecca Madden; Imelda Scally, Denise Ward, Annemarie Scally (1-0); Amanda Creighton (0-3, 0-1 f), Cathy McCann, Niamh Ward (0-3, 0-1 f).