Higgins inspires Goldsmiths as Garryastle ladies drop down

Westmeath LGFA Senior Championship: Goldsmiths 0-13 Garrycastle 2-5

By John Dingle

A marvellous display of score taking from Rebecca Higgins steered Goldsmiths to victory over Garrycastle at Maryland GAA grounds in Drumraney on Thursday evening of last week.

Higgins scored all but two points of the winners' tally as Garrycastle kept in touch throughout, helped by goals in each half. There was just a point between the teams at half-time with Goldsmiths narrowly in front. Garrycastle though could never get ahead and just three scores in the second half did little to help their cause.

There was almost an explosive start to this Group B game when goalkeeper Aisling English came to the rescue for Goldsmiths with two fine saves. Amelie Henson broke clear with just three minutes played but saw her shot blocked by English with a second attempt also blocked by the keeper.

At the other end, Rebecca Higgins was soon in her stride and gave Goldsmiths the lead with a free kick after four minutes. A further free followed by a point from play put Goldsmiths ahead by three points. Two successful free kicks from Garrycastle had the lead reduced to the bare minimum after the first quarter. Kacey Mulvihill opened her account after 13 minutes with another free popped over a minute later.

Two further frees from Rebecca Higgins left it 0-5 to 0-2 with 20 minutes played but Garrycastle were level from the next action two minutes later. Shannon Mulvihill was fouled and Kacey Mulvihill stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick. The strike lacked power but still carried enough momentum to find the net.

However, Garrycastle scores were too sparse to trouble Goldsmiths who, in contrast, kept the scoreboard ticking over. Two further points by Higgins edged Goldsmiths two in front heading into the closing stages of the half, but there was just a point between the teams when the half-time whistle sounded. Two minutes before the interval, Shannon Mulvihill was successful with a free from in front of the posts to see Goldsmiths just ahead by 0-7 to 1-3.

The first three scores when play resumed fell to Goldsmiths as Rebecca Higgins fired over another free and followed with a point from play for the first two. With Rebecca having dominated the scoring to date, it was now time for another Higgins to take over as her sister Ericka scored the third point after 34 minutes. It increased the lead to four points and Goldsmiths looked set to comfortably make it three wins from three games played.

Garrycastle had other ideas though and their second green flag gave them hope of springing a surprise. Henson had earlier in the opening half been denied a major score by English, but made no mistake this time to leave it 0-10 to 2-3.

It was as close as they got to Goldsmiths who responded with two unanswered points to lead by three heading into the last quarter, Rebecca Higgins once more finding the range with two free.

Garrycastle struggled to turn the possession they enjoyed into scores and their first in 13 minutes proved to be their second last of the game, Shannon Mulvihill popping over a free to reduce the deficit.

The Tubberclair/Drumraney/Tang outfit might have made the closing stages more comfortable had the woodwork not denied them a goal after 49 minutes. Charleigh Seery was out of luck when her attempt hit off the post.

The first score in over ten minutes saw Goldsmiths grab their final point through Laura Madden after 58 minutes. It left a goal between the teams heading into stoppage time with Garrycastle striving to again raise the green flag to level matters. They might have regrets though that they had not further eaten into the lead by taking chances of points.

Goldsmiths held firm but still had to survive an anxious moment before they could celebrate another victory. A free kick in the fifth additional minute saw Shannon Mulvihill endeavour to level matters from close range. Goldsmiths had the goal line well covered with bodies but Mulvihill's shot could easily have crept in as it crashed off the bar and over for a point.

It was an exciting conclusion to the contest with Garrycastle pushing Goldsmiths all the way and, with more accuracy in front of the target, they could have recorded their first win. Six wides proved costly as Goldsmiths were much more economical with just two off target attempts.

The win sees Goldsmiths continue at the top of Group B and as they through to the knockout stages with the top two advancing. The threat of relegation which had hung over Garrycastle is now confirmed with the Athlone team having now completed their programme of matches.

Scorers – Goldsmiths: R Higgins 0-11 (7 frees); E Higgins and L Madden 0-1 each. Garrycastle: K Mulvihill 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2f); A Henson 1-0; S Mulvihill 0-3 (3f).

Goldsmiths - Aisling English; Aisling Nally, Eva Fitzpatrick, Caoimhe Brady; Shona Neary, Sarah Murphy, Megan Hanley; Laura Madden, Deborah Kenneally; Charleigh Seery, Ciara McManus, Sinead Seery; Ericka Higgins, Rebecca Higgins, Cara Fitzpatrick. Sub: Ciara Irwin for Nally (59 mins).

Garrycastle - Ellen Parker; Donnahay Molloy, Ailish Mannion, Tegan Foley; Erika Lowe, Olivia Collins, Rebecca Sleator; Erin McHugh, Mandisa Ni Chluaid; Clodagh McCahey, Jessica Frawley, Amelie Henson; Kacey Mulvihill, Shannon Mulvihill, Elaine McGovern.Subs: Aoife O’Brien and Jane Byrne for Molloy and McCahey (45 mins); Grace Halligan for Collins (53).

Referee - Enda Kelly (Castledaly).