Ladies v Laragh

Laragh 2-07   Drumgoon 2-10

 

It was a winner takes all battle in O’Hagan Park on Wednesday night as Laragh and Drumgoon battled for the second semi-final spot having both lost a game at the hands of table toppers Shercock. Both teams comprehensively beat Swanlinbar therefore a tight affair was expected in the closing group game.

 

In an end-to-end battle Laragh led for the majority of the tie having hit two early goals through county senior Niamh Keenaghan who was a handful at full forward. However, Drumgoon used their experience going ahead for the first time in the 51st minute with a goal from youngster Leah Lynch in the closing minutes sealing the win and a final four spot for Damien Clarke’s team.

 

The sides were level four times in the contest as Laragh came t out of the blocks flying with two Keenaghan goals in the opening two minutes followed by a Megah Denning point putting Laragh into an early seven point lead. However, they failed to add to their tally for fifteen minutes as Drumgoon fired 1-04 in succession to go level for the first time with 21 minutes played in the first half.

 

Usual suspect Catherine Ahearne opened the scoring in the seventh minute followed by a goal and another point from the full forward. A third from Ahearne and first for Nadine Keappock brought the sides level. Laragh made the perfect response approaching half time as Aislinn Keenaghan struck from distance before Meghan Denning pointed her second to leave Laragh ahead narrowly 2-03 to 1-04 at half time.

 

The sides traded point for point in the opening minutes of the second half as little separated the teams. Teresa McCann and Leah Lynch pointed for Drumgoon as Meghan Denning and Aislinn Keenaghan hit points to leave the deficit at two. Midway through the tie the sides were level for the second time as the excellent Lynch pointed a double. Denning hit back at the opposite end, but the leaders were dealt a blow with midfielder Lorraine O’Rourke being shown a yellow card.

 

Playing with a numerical advantage Drumgoon finished out the tie strongest with a further 1-02 as Laragh managed just one more point from Denning. Keappock pointed followed by Dennings’s fifth of the clash. With the sides level once again Lynch put her side ahead for the first time before getting the crucial goal in the closing stages to seal victory for her side who were relegated to the junior championship last season.