Goldsmiths cruise into senior semi-final

Goldsmiths 3-17 St Joseph's 0-7

Adam Nuzum

Goldsmiths continued their impressive campaign on Thursday evening at Shandonagh GAA grounds as they booked their place in the Westmeath LGFA Senior Championship semi-finals with a convincing 19-point victory over St Joseph’s.

Having won the intermediate title last year, Goldsmiths have comfortably made the step up to senior level and now find themselves just one game away from a place in the county final.

While Goldsmiths put on a fine display of attacking football in the second half, the one-sided nature of the contest made things a bit deflated for any neutrals in attendance.

Goldsmiths got off the mark early through the impressive Rebecca Higgins, who was in outstanding scoring form throughout, finishing with an impressive personal tally of 1-8. St Joseph’s responded through Caoilinn Elliffe, before Sinead Robbins added their second score in the ninth minute after receiving a well-weighted pass from Karen Keegan.

The eventual winners initially struggled to find their range, with an effort dropping short into the hands of the St Joseph’s goalkeeper and a number of wides following.

However, they soon regained their composure, with Sinead Seery and Rebecca Higgins both finding the target to restore their lead. There was some excellent attacking football in the build-up, with Sinead Seery linking up with Lisa Seery before finding Rebecca Higgins, who made no mistake with her finish. Robbins levelled matters again for St Joseph’s in the 17th minute, setting up an intriguing contest.

The Drumraney/Tubberclair/Tang outfit struck for the opening goal of the evening in the 21st minute. A patient move involving Rebecca Higgins and Sinead Seery eventually found Ericka Higgins, who finished clinically to the net to give Goldsmiths a lead they would not relinquish.

The opening 20 minutes had been a tight affair, with both defences doing a good job of limiting clear-cut opportunities. St Joseph’s were awarded a chance following a breach by Goldsmiths and Robbins stepped up to convert with confidence. Goldsmiths finished the half strongly with Higgins and Seery both adding points despite three further wides. At the interval, Goldsmiths led by 1-5 to 0-4.

Goldsmiths began the second half with renewed purpose, although Lisa Seery was off target with their first effort. Ericka Higgins soon made amends, finding the target before Rebecca Higgins added another point to extend the lead. St Joseph’s had an opportunity from a two-point free, but the effort dropped short. Robbins made no mistake with her next free from a more favourable position to keep her side within touching distance.

The Horseleap/Streamstown side were denied what could have been a crucial goal in the 37th minute, an opportunity which could have brought them right back into the contest. Instead, Goldsmiths began to pull away.

Ericka Higgins and Rebecca Higgins added further scores before Rebecca Higgins struck for her side’s second goal. A long ball from Lisa Seery found Higgins in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, and she kept her composure to finish to the net. With St Joseph’s having failed to score since the 34th minute, Goldsmiths now held a commanding 2-10 to 0-05 advantage.

The pressure continued to mount as Charleigh Seery and Sarah Murphy added further points before Lisa Seery got in on the goalscoring act, finding the net for Goldsmiths’ third major of the evening.

St Joseph’s managed two consolation points from Sinead Robbins in the closing stages, but there was no stopping Goldsmiths, with Lisa Seery, Sinead Seery and Charleigh Seery all adding to their tally. The final say belonged to the outstanding Rebecca Higgins, who added two more points to bring her tally to 1-8 and round off an excellent individual performance.

Goldsmiths now advance to the Senior Championship semi-finals, where they will face the formidable challenge of St Loman’s. On this evidence, Goldsmiths will have plenty of confidence heading into the last four, while St Loman’s will provide a significant step up in opposition. With a place in the county final at stake, however, anything can happen.

Player of the match: Rebecca Higgins was outstanding for Goldsmiths with a personal tally of 1-8. She contributed to a number of other scores and her work rate was superb.

Scorers - Goldsmiths: R Higgins 1-8 (0-5 frees); E Higgins 1-2; L Seery 1-1; S Seery 0-3; C Seery 0-2; S Murphy 0-1. St Joseph’s: S Robbins 0-6 (4f); C Elliffe 0-1.

Goldsmiths - Aisling English; Caoimhe Brady, Eva Fitzpatrick, Ellen McCabe; Megan Hanley, Sarah Murphy, Shona Neary; Sinead Seery, Laura Madden; Lisa Seery, Deborah Kenneally, Charleigh Seery; Ericka Higgins, Rebecca Higgins, Cara Fitzpatrick. Subs used: Aisling Nally, Ciara Irwin, Maisie Tormey and Mya Gill.

St Joseph’s - Aine Maxwell; Leanne Daly, Orla Robbins, Niamh Kearney; Keelin Robbins, Kayla McDonnell, Eleanor Conway; Caoilinn Elliffe, Karen Keegan; Lauryn McDonnell, Ciara Daly, Molly Russell; Sile Kearney, Aoife Keegan, Sinead Robbins. Subs used: Róisín Killian, Joyce Conway, Claire Conlon, Aoibheann Kelly, Ciara Kealy, Cliona McCormack and Ciara Maxwell.

Referee - Paul McCaughey (Milltown)