Balyna through to Leinster semi-final
Ellen Morgan and Rachel Cribbin celebrate Balyna's LGFA Intermediate Championship quarter-final win over Graigecullen in Johnstownbridge
Balyna are through to a LGFA Intermediate semi-final after an impressive win over Laois side Graiguecullen in Johnstownbridge this afternoon.
An early goal by Grace Gallagher and then one of the stroke of half time by Aoibheann Birchall left the Kildare champions 2-6 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
There was an element of fortune to their third and fourth goals, scored by Julie Brannigan and Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal in the 38 and 39th minutes, but they were deserving of their lead for their hard work. Ní Bhuircéal was in particular deserved her slice of fortune as she played through the pain barrier after picking up a bloody nose late in the first half.
A 44th minute yellow card, and resulting ten minutes in the sin bin, for former Kildare All-Ireland winner Erica Burke opened the door for Graigecullen but Balyna, who are managed by Kevin Larkin, who led Louth to an All-Ireland Junior title this year, battened down the hatches and repelled the best that Graiguecullen had to thrown at them.
Balyna rounded off the win when two late substitutes combined for their final score. Former Kildare camogie and football star Siobhan Hurley teed up her young niece Robyn who applied the finishing touches to send Balyna into the last four in Leinster.
Ruth Bergin; Kate Langley, Sadie Cullinan, Holly O’Keefe, Lucy Cullinan, Ellen Morgan, Megan Cooney; Julie Brannigan 1-0, Leah Doran; Rachel Cribbin, Erica Burke 0-1, Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal 1-0, Lauren Dixon, Grace Gallagher 1-2, Aoibheann Birchall 1-4 (3fs). Subs: Siobhan Hurley for Ní Bhuircéal, b/s 30-h/t; Caoimhe Farrell for Langley, 52; Siobhan Hurley for Ní Bhuircéal, 58; Robyn Hurley 0-1 for Cribbin, 59.
Maryann O’Neill; Izzy Humphries, Caoimhe Brennan, Sara Kerfah, Sally Amond, Georgina Donovan, Jasmine Kinsella; Caoimhe Fitzpatrick 0-1, Jade Nolan 0-1; Lauren Walsh 0-5 (4fs), Mags McEvoy, Emer Cawley, Mia Branagan 0-1, Kelly O’Neill 0-6 (4fs), Ella Byrne. Subs: Hannah Kerfah for Byrne h/t; Kathlyn Timmons for Amond, 42; Shayna Howe for Cawley, 48.
Gerard Egan (Longford).
