Eadestown claim semi-final spot after Balyna scare
Hazel McLoughlin on the attack for Eadestown Photo: Aisling Hyland
Eadestown duly claimed a semi final spot in the Joe Mallon Motors Kildare LGFA SFC, as expected, but they had to pull out all the stops to defeat last year’s intermediate champions, Balyna in a rain sodden Round 3 Group B game on Tuesday evening.
In fact, it wasn’t until the 38th minute, after Balyna were reduced to 14 players with the sinbinning of corner back, Megan Cooney, that the former five in a row county champions came back into the game, starting with a palmed goal from full forward, Gráinne Kenneally. During the period that Cooney was off the pitch, Eadestown were to add a further 1-4, of which 1-3 came from corner forward and top scorer, Abaigh Cahill.
Up to the sinbinning it looked very likely that there could be a shock as the team for the north east not only matched Eadestown score for score early on but took the lead through a goal from Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal in the 18th minute and, although the home side fought back to parity by the 21st minute, Balyna went on to score three points in a row to lead 1-5 to 0-5 at half time and two more early in the second half to extend the lead to five points. Four of those Balyna points came from the unerring boot of dual county player, Aoibheann Ní Bhuircéal, as Eadestown’s discipline let them down as they tried to cope with the strong running of the intermediate champions.
As might be expected both teams found handling conditions difficult in the rain after such a long dry spell and indeed Eadestown could probably have scored two early goals but the ball was spilled on each occasion, although the Balyna defence can take some credit for those misses also. Gráinne Kenneally and quick-thinking midfielder, Erica Burke, the former county and WNL player, exchanged early points and the sides were level for the second time through a Cahill free and an excellent point from Aoibheann Ní Bhuircéal at the end of the first quarter.
A Cahill free had the home side in front with a free a minute later but almost immediately Balyna hit the front for the first time. An Aoibheann Ní Bhuircéal free from out on the right was spilled by the Eadestown defence and sister, Caoimhe nipped in to fire home in a crowded goalmouth. To their credit Eadestown responded with points from county players, Ruth Sargent and Jessica Harney to level the game for the third time, ten minutes to half time. Balyna had the initiative now though and ran at the home defence resulting in fouls which Aoibheann Ní Bhuircéal punished with three frees before half time and one immediately after the restart.
When midfielder Grace Gallagher reacted quickest to a poor Eadestown kick out to fire over a point in the 35th minute and give Balyna a five-point lead, a shock looked on the cards. However, Eadestown called on all their experience to pull the game out of the fire. They were awarded a penalty in the 36th minute, from which Balyna lost corner back Cooney to the sin bin, and although captain, Grace Clifford’s spot kick was well saved by goalkeeper, Aibhe McKeon, the home side now had the initiative. Anna Hynes centred for Kenneally to palm home in the 38th minute and Cahill added a further 1—3 before Cooney returned and another goal five minutes from time to give her side a 3-10 to 1-7 lead. To their credit Balyna finished with a flourish and a great goal by Cooney but the gap was too big to bridge and Eadestown were able to see out the game.
Eadestown, with three wins from three in Group B, have qualified directly for the semi-final, as have unbeaten Sarsfields from Group A, following their win over Kilcullen. Defending champions, St Laurence’s, by virtue of finishing second in Group A will face Balyna in one quarter final while second placed in Group B, Kill, will take on Kilcullen in the other quarter final.
Emma Sargent; Mary Ann Ryan, Anne Marie Logue, Sophie Boyce; Aine Mernagh, Ruth Sargent 0-1, Molly Lawlor; Laura Byrne, Hazel McLoughlin; Anna Hynes, Grace Clifford 0-1, Misha Magee; Abaigh Cahill 2-5 (4 frees), Gráinne Kenneally 1-2, Jessica Harney 0-1. SUBS: Alannah Kelly for Anna Hynes 45, Áine Ní Raghallaigh for Mary Ann Ryan, Grace Dowling for Gráinne Kenneally 56, Kate Murphy for Jessica Harney 58.
Aibhe McKeon; Megan Cooney 1-0, Sadie Cullinan, Lucy Cullinan; Robyn Hurley, Ellen Morgan, Holly O’Keeffe; Erica Burke 0-1, Grace Gallagher 0-1; Laura Carty, Caoimhe Farrelly, Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal 1-0; Lauren Dixon, Aoibheann Ní Bhuircéal 0-5 (4 frees), Médbh Carley. SUBS: Kate Hill for Caoimhe Farrell 45.
Brian Foley.
Maynooth 1-6 St Laurence’s 4-8
Sarsfields 2-16 Kilcullen 1-9
Eadestown 3-10 Balyna 2-7
Kill 1-7 Suncroft 2-3
Naas 3-15 Na Fianna 1-8
Kilcock 0-9 Leixlip 3-9
Cappagh 1-17 Raheens 1-7
Confey 4-11 Carbury 2-10
Athy 3-8 Two Mile House 2-11
Sallins 3-11 Clane 1-10
Rathangan 2-3 Milltown 4-14
Moorefield 0-2 Celbridge 8-15
