Rising star Glennon guides Pearses ladies to victory

Padraig Pearses 3-14 Kilbride 1-8

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Padraig Pearses are Roscommon LGFA intermediate champions after a comfortable but at times nervy victory over Kilbride in this final played in Fuerty last Saturday.

The final scoreline does not tell the full story of a game that Pearses dominated for long periods, only to be then rocked by a Kilbride fightback inspired by Aisling Hanly, before showing real character to finish strongly with late goals.

The star of the show was Laura Glennon, who produced a magnificent display of scoring from frees and open play, finishing with 1-10, a tally that proved the decisive difference between the sides.

But this was far from a one-woman show. Pearses had excellent displays across the field from Glennon’s county minor teammates Lily Finneran, Katie Canning and Esmae Halpin, while half-back Roisin O'Sullivan and attacker Katelyn Keogh all played key roles in bringing the title home.

Pearses will now will meet CT Gaels of Sligo in the Connacht LGFA Intermediate Championship at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry this Sunday (throw-in 1pm).

Pearses fielded a a young team with five minors and brought on another, also introducing Roscommon U16 star Isabella Downey. From the throw-in, Pearses set the tone. Their work rate, support play and use of the ball was a level above, and they had Kilbride under serious pressure from the start. Glennon was simply unplayable in the first half. Whether from placed balls or from play, she scored freely and Kilbride had no answer to her movement and accuracy. She hit 1-4 in the opening 20 minutes alone, with Canning and Keogh adding points to stretch the lead.

Pearses' dominance was built on their work rate around the midfield sector. Canning was outstanding, reading the game superbly and driving forward at every opportunity, while Esmae Halpin was relentless at wing-forward, winning possession and running at the Kilbride defence. Roisin O'Sullivan was commanding at wing-back, marshalling the defence and cutting out numerous Kilbride attacks before they could develop.

By half-time, the game looked over as a contest. Pearses led 1-10 to 0-3. The goal came on the 20th minute when Glennon, who had been tormenting the Kilbride defence, beat keeper Lilymae Gavigan with a deft shot into the roof of the net to cap a brilliant first-half display.

After the resumption, Pearses started the second half as they finished the first. The inform Glennon from a free made it 1-11 to 0-4 and they looked to be cruising to a routine victory, keeping Kilbride at arm's length with disciplined defending.

Then came the turning point. On 46 minutes, Kilbride were awarded a questionable free and this in turn led to a Kilbride penalty. The Pearses players and management were incensed, feeling that if there was any offence it should have resulted in a free to their player, Sarah Dooley. But a penalty it was, and Aisling Hanly stepped up to take it. Hanly made no mistake, firing past the Pearses goalkeeper Finneran, and the goal completely changed the momentum of the game.

Suddenly Kilbride had belief, and Hanly went on a scoring spree. She added three quick points while Pearses seemed to lose their rhythm, they couldn’t get possession and all the momentum was with Kilbride. Where they had been composed and patient, they became rushed and panicked, showing their youth, where they had shown maturity in the first half.

Within ten minutes of the penalty, the scoreboard that had looked so comfortable suddenly read Pearses 1-11 Kilbride 1-8. The game had turned completely against the run of play, and for the first time, Pearses were under real pressure. The Kilbride supporters sensed a remarkable comeback and got behind their team.

This is where champions are made, and Pearses showed exactly why they became champions. Captain Emma McGreal, O'Sullivan, Lohan and minor Chloe Mulryan, playing wingback, steadied the ship again in defence. Halpin started to win kickouts again, and substitute Caitlin Malone was unlucky with her goal attempt that skimmed the post and wide. Still just three scores in the ascendancy, but they had got their bearings back again.

That player again, Glennon, won and converted a free to stop the rot, making it 1-12 to 1-8. It was their first score in almost 12 minutes and it was crucial. From there, Pearses regained control. The introduction of substitute Caitlin Malone had added fresh energy to the attack, and the Pearses forwards started to find space again.

With five minutes remaining, Malone made no mistake this time, twisting between a number of defenders before finding the net past Gavigan in the Kilbride goal.

Moments later, Katelyn Keogh, who had worked tirelessly all day and was a constant threat, got the goal that finally killed off Kilbride's challenge. After good play from Canning by Dooley, Keogh showed great composure and rolled the ball to the net to make it 3-13 to 1-8. It was fitting Glennon finished off the scoring from a free and Pearses are back playing with the big girls next year in the senior championship.

It was a fitting end to a strong Pearses performance. They were the better team throughout, and despite that wobble after the penalty, they finished comfortably. The day belonged to Pearses. Intermediate champions, led by the brilliant Glennon, but powered by a team performance full of heart, skill and composure when it mattered most. They deserved the win.

For Kilbride, there was disappointment, but they showed great spirit to fight back and Hanly's display in that third quarter was superb. They will come again.

Player of the match: Laura Glennon (Padraig Pearses). The promising Glennon, one of the youngest players on the pitch, was the most instrumental and she kicked 1-10, with a number of her frees manufactured by herself. Roisin O’Sullivan, Sarah Dooley, Esmae Halpin, Katie Canning and Katelyn Keogh all contributed handsomely. Aisling Hanly did her best for Kilbride.

Scorers - Pearses: L Glennon 1-10 (0-7f); K Keogh 1-1; C Malone 1-0; K Canning 0-2; C Mulryan 0-1. Kilbride: A Hanly 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-3f); E Hanly 0-3 (2f).

Padraig Pearses - Lily Finneran; Emma McGreal, Ciara Lohan, Clodagh Power; Roisin O’Sullivan, Katie Malone, Chloe Mulryan; Sarah Dooley, Katie Canning; Esmae Halpin, Laura Glennon, Lorraine Kenny; Katelyn Keogh, Aine Ryan, Blaithnaid Kelly. Subs: Caitlin Malone for Kenny (20), Isabella Downey for Kelly (40), Sarah Killeen for Mulryan (55), Michaela Keogh for Ryan (57), Sarah Kate Goode for Canning (59).

Kilbride - Lilymae Gavigan; Aoife Feely, Niamh Tully, Keela Kelly; Jennifer Garvey, Caoimhe Neary, Corina Gormley; Aisling Shanagher, Grace Dowling; Laura McSharry, Aoife Tully, Sophie Hanley; Ella Brennan Tully, Aisling Hanly, Eilish Hanly. Subs: Katie Kelly for Feely (40), Mairéad Tully for Brennan (53), Ellen Tully for Gormley (56).

Referee - Ger Carmody.