The ladies have qualified for the Junior A County Championship Final. After the disappointment of the Senior Ladies’ exit from the championship the previous Sunday, the mantle was passed to the Junior Ladies to try to overcome Cavan Gaels and progress to the county final. They made a bright start with early points from Dearbhla Brady, Aoife O’Shea and Sinéad Livingstone. Cavan Gaels missed a good goal chance and then Grace Smith extended the lead to four points. The Gaels keeper brought off a great save to keep them in the game and they got off the mark with a pointed free in the tenth minute. But Molly O’Meara sent in a high ball to the square which deceived the keeper and nestled in the corner of the net. Killygarry were now in the driving seat and Molly O’Meara was on hand again to slot over another point after a trademark strong run from Sinéad Livingstone. Molly pointed another free before the Gaels pulled a point back to leave seven points between the sides. Joanne Reilly had to be quick off her line to snuff out a Gaels goal chance but they breached the Killygarry defence before halftime when they were caught napping from a close-in frees. Grace Smith replied with a converted free after she was fouled herself on a strong run from midfield. Cavan Gaels pulled another point back for a halftime score of Killygarry 1-07 (10), Cavan Gaels 1-03 (6).
Molly O’Meara got the first point of the second half and Cavan Gaels replied with a point but Killygarry pushed on from there with a flurry of points from Sinéad Livingstone (2), Dearbhla Brady and Molly O’Meara to give Killygarry an eight-point lead. Cavan Gaels gave themselves a chance with a well-taken goal but Sinéad Livingstone replied with a point. Even with ten minutes left this proved to be the last score of the game. Tired legs on both sides contributed to the lack of scores but Killygarry were more than happy to finish out comfortable winners.
It was a very competent Killygarry display. There was some great defensive work at the back. Defenders smothered their attacking counterparts. All the players showed great skills with slick passing, rolling tackles, playing off the shoulder and great positional sense. They also knew when to offload the ball at the right time. That said, they will need to use all those skills in abundance against Crosserlough in the Final next Sunday at 1.00 PM in Kingspan Breffni. The Club and all the supporters wish management and players the best of luck in the final.
Killygarry Squad: Joanne Reilly, Maria Lovett, Lisa Sheanon, Eimear Kennedy, Aoibheann Morrison, Gemma Cullen, Orla O’Brien, Maeve Young, Katie Lynch (0-01), Dearbhla Brady (0-02), Molly Mae O’Meara (1-03), Sinéad Livingstone (0-04), Grace Smith (0-02), Aoife O’Shea (0-01), Megan Walls, Shauna Gilsenan, Paige Conroy, Caitlin Dowdall, Keelin Burke, Katie Sheanon, Sophie Smith.
