Rising Goldsmiths secure final place as goals topple Moate

Goldsmiths 4-7 Moate 0-10

The rise of Goldsmiths as a footballing force continues. Last year, Goldsmiths won the Westmeath LGFA junior title for the first time. And following their victory over Moate in this Westmeath LGFA Intermediate Championship semi-final at Garrycastle GAA, they are now one win away from a place in the top tier.

The intermediate final against Loughnavalley will take place next Saturday, October 4 at TEG Cusack Park (1.15pm). It will be followed by the senior decider between Milltown and defending champions St Loman's (3.15).

As the scoreline in the intermediate semi-final suggests, Goldsmiths’ ability to score goals proved decisive. The Tang/Tubberclair/Drumraney outfit hit four goals, three in the second half, whereas Moate were unable to raise a green flag on this occasion.

Moate came out on top when these two southern outfits met in the last round of the group stages, but Goldsmiths were already assured of a semi-final place at that stage. On Saturday, however, there was no safety net with a place in the county final at stake.

In truth, the swirling wind had a negative impact on the game as a spectacle. After a low scoring opening period, Goldsmiths led by 1-2 to 0-3 at half-time, the goal coming from a penalty.

In front of a sizeable attendance, Moate had whatever benefit was accruing from the breeze in the first half, but they were unable to make much use of it. Moate had an early let-off when Lisa Seery’s shot from close range was blocked. Goldsmiths were enjoying plenty of possession but were struggling to create genuine scoring chances, with Rebecca Higgins eventually opening the scoring from a free just outside the 20-metre line.

Moate midfielder Therese Geoghegan was an influential figure in the first half and she sent over two points from frees, the second via the crossbar. The first score from open play, supplied by Higgins in the 14th minute, was the clear highlight of the opening quarter.

Ella Grennan’s deft pass to raiding wing-back Holly Keenan led to a Moate point, Annemarie Moran’s angled shot clipping the crossbar on the way over.

Goldsmiths were awarded a penalty when Ciara Foxe was adjudged to have been fouled after Moate keeper Niamh Geoghegan was unable to hold a free from Higgins. Foxe took the penalty herself and her low shot found the net (23rd minute).

The eventual winners enjoyed a productive start to the second half. The impressive Sinead Seery instigated the move which led to their second goal and after her sister Lisa passed the ball on to Foxe, the latter was denied by Geoghegan’s fine save. However, the rebound was swept to the net by Lisa with aplomb. Points followed from Higgins (a free) and Sinead Seery, leaving Goldsmiths 2-4 to 0-3 ahead.

Westmeath player Sarah Murphy, having moved from defence to attack, lifted Moate with two points in quick succession (one off either foot). The Kerry native then required treatment for an injury which halted Moate’s momentum.

Goldsmiths keeper Aisling English capably dealt with a number of Moate efforts which dropped short. But with Eva Fox a lively presence in the second half and Aisling McLoughlin making a notable impact off the bench, Moate were still in contention. Fox sent over an excellent point and after Higgins replied at the other end, McLoughlin added another.

The third Goldsmiths goal (56th minute) effectively ended Moate’s hopes. It was scored by substitute Gemma Guinane after more superb play from Sinead Seery, while the industrious Charleigh was also involved in the build-up.

Shortly afterwards, Lisa Seery added a fourth goal, after her first effort was stopped by Geoghegan. A yellow card for Shona Neary (who was therefore sent to the sin bin) in stoppage time mattered little at that stage. Guinane added a point to her earlier goal and the scoring was completed by an exchange of points between Moate sub Tara Hughes and Higgins.

Managed by Maryland’s Damien Reynolds, Goldsmiths will now meet Loughnavalley (winners over Caulry in the other semi-final) in the decider.

With the Valley ladies having the experience of contesting last year’s final and with several accomplished players in their ranks, they will be fancied by many to now go one better. Yet the Goldsmiths camp will be hopeful of causing a surprise as they bid to build on their 2024 junior success.

Player of the match: Sinead Seery (Goldsmiths). The classy midfielder really came to the fore in the second half, launching several attacks and creating chances for a forward line which included her two sisters, Lisa and Charleigh.

Talking point: The large crowd in attendance last Saturday week. Some of the spectators came for the curtain-raiser, the U14 Division 1 final in which Mullingar Shamrocks edged out Goldsmiths. In any case, the difficulty in finding parking spaces showed the considerable crowd who braved the windy conditions on an evening which turned quite chilly.

Scorers – Goldsmiths: L Seery 2-0; R Higgins 0-5 (2 frees); Gemma Guinane 1-1; C Foxe 1-0 (pen); S Seery 0-1. Moate: S Murphy, A McLoughlin, E Fox and T Geoghegan (2f) 0-2 each; A Moran and T Hughes 0-1 each.

Goldsmiths - Aisling English; Aisling Nally, Eva Fitzpatrick, Caoimhe Brady; Aoibhinn McKiernan, Shona Neary, Megan Hanley; Laura Madden, Sinead Seery; Deborah Kenneally, Lisa Seery, Charleigh Seery; Ellen McCabe, Ciara Foxe, Rebecca Higgins. Subs used: Gemma Guinane, Ciara Irwin, Emma Tumelty.

Moate - Niamh Geoghegan; Rebecca Finlay, Amy Hughes, Lorna Flanagan; Chloe Moran, Sarah Murphy, Holly Keenan; Therese Geoghegan, Louise Payne; Annemarie Moran, Faye Hanley, Niamh Palmer; Eva Fox, Ella Grennan, Aine Bracken. Subs: Aisling McLoughlin, Chloe Malone, Tara Hughes, Claire O’Donohoe.

Referee - Paul McCaughey (Milltown).