Grace the great grabs three goals as Eadestown move on in Leinster
Eadestown captain Grace Clifford scored three goals in the win over Dunshaughlin
Three smashing goals by Eadestown captain, Grace Clifford, helped the Kildare champions to a comfortable victory over Meath champions, Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels, in the Preliminary Round of the Leinster LGFA SFC at a sun splashed Eadestown GAA Pitch on Sunday afternoon. The former Kildare captain scored a goal in the first half and two more in the second in an all-round classic display that should earn her a recall to the county scene, whenever a new Kildare senior manager is appointed. The strong running of Clifford, Jessica Harney, Hazel McLoughlin as well as the half back line proved a constant threat that the Meath champions found difficulty in managing.
The Royals lined out without their captain and Meath captain, Niamh Gallogly and another county player, Niamh O’Sullivan but they could still call on other Meath intercounty players in Meadhbh Byrne and Niamh McEntee, who despite scoring a goal each, were well marshalled by Áine Mernagh and Ruth Sargent for the Sky Blues.
Eadestown led 3-7 to 2-3 at the break and were full value for that seven point lead. They got the best possible start with a point from the irrepressible Jessica Harney, her first of four, and a goal from Ruth Sargeny to lead 1-1 to no score inside three minutes.
A great move involving Hazel McLoughlin and Clifford ended with corner forward, Kate Murphy palming to the net for Eadestown’s second goal in the eighth minute. Dunshaughlin’s response was swift, however, and after taking a pass from Anna Moyles, Byrne’s shot was deflected over Emma Sargent in the Eadestown goals a minute later. Two great points from Murphy and Harney kept Eadestown in the driving seat and they were firmly in control when, not for the first time, a Dunshaughlin kick out went astray and Clifford raced through for her first goal in the 18th minute. Again, the Royal response was rapid and full forward, McEntee, for once escaped the clutches of Mernagh to fire past keeper Sargent a minute later.
Late points by Ruth Sargent and Harney gave Eadestown that seven point half time cushion. The early stages of the second half featured stubborn resistance from both teams in an end-to-end battle and we had to wait until the 38th minute for the first score of the half, a point by McLoughlin which was quickly cancelled by a pointed free from Dunshaughlin corner forward, Bronagh Sheridan, the former Cavan intercounty player. The Meath champions began lofting in high balls to the Eadestown full back line but these were adequately dealt with by Emma Sargent, and the full back line of Áine Ní Raghallaigh, Áine Mernagh and Anne Marie Logue, until her injury, with valuable support from midfielder, Laura Byrne. Eadestown drove on in the final ten minutes with 2-2 from Grace Clifford, the second a real gem, and a point from Ruth Sargent as Dunshaughlin could only manage a single point from McEntee.
Stephen Duff’s charges will now travel to meet Louth champions, St Patrick’s Lordship in the Leinster LGFA quarter final on Sunday next where they will face former Louth LGFA player, Kate Flood who spent some time playing in the AFWL in Australia.
Emma Sargent; Áine Ní Raghallaigh, Áine Mernagh, Anne Marie Logue; Sophie Boyse, Ruth Sargent 1-2, Molly Lawlor; Laura Byrne, Hazel McLoughlin 0-1; Anna Hynes 0-2, Grace Clifford 3-2 (1 free), Misha Magee; Kate Murphy 1-1, Gráinne Kenneally, Jessica Harney 0-4. Subs: Maryann Ryan for Anne Marie Logue, 46, Grace Dowling for Anna Hynes 58, Tara Bedford for Misha Magee 58, Anna Harney for Sophie Boyce 58, Katie Harney for Molly Lawlor 60.
Michelle O’Hare; Sarah Duffy, Ava O’Brien, Keva McTigue; Karla Kealy 0-1, Sadhbh O’Muirí, Niamh Summerhill; Ella Moyles, Emily Carter, Leah Sheridan, Meadhbh Byrne 1-0, Elena Kennedy 0-1; Anna Moyles, Niamh McEntee 1-1, Bronagh Sheridan 0-2 (2 frees). Subs: Laura Murray for Niamh Summerville H/T, Laura Quinn for Emily Carter 38, Ciara Galvin for Leah Sheridan 58.
Marion Hayden (Carlow).
