A weekly round-up of the games played in the New York Ladies GAA Football Championship
July 13, 2021
Na Fianna 2-15 v Cavan 1-11
There was a doubleheader of ladies football action at Gaelic Park last Wednesday evening.
Na Fianna clashed with Cavan in the opening Senior Championship game and, despite the 6:30 p.m. throw-in time, conditions were extremely hot making it a test of endurance for the two teams – both of whom were missing starting players.
Cavan’s struggles were compounded with only one sub on the sideline, exerting even more pressure on the starting 15.
Na Fianna led the entire game, they were workmanlike but massively consistent and their ability to introduce fresh legs was enough for them to seal the deal and keep the pressure on Kerry/Donegal at the summit of the table.
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For Na Fianna, Madison Donoghue in midfield was unstoppable along with Sinéad McGoriaty in the backline. Annie Kelly acted as a sweeper and mopped up plenty of loose balls.
Grainne Fitzpatrick did a great job covering Courtney Lennihan from Cavan, who was a standout player for the Lake County.
For Cavan, the Reilly twins were exceptional and Alesia Jordan sent in a few lovely balls – the latter worked very well with Rosie Reilly throughout the contest.
Nora Kilkenny pulled off a number of superb saves for Cavan.
It was the second time Na Fianna beat Cavan this year.
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Kerry/Donegal 2-15 Rockland A 1-11
Kerry/Donegal and Rockland locked horns in the second Senior Football championship game of the evening and it was the experience of Kerry/Donegal which ultimately prevailed.
Rockland got off the mark with a goal after just a few minutes.
However, Kelly Brady showed her class as an outstanding player and responded for Kerry/Donegal with a brace of goals in this closely matched tie. Brady is a former Ireland U-19 soccer player.
Mary Kate Henry moved from her usual position of backs into half-forward and did selfless work running up and down the field.
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Kelly Roache in half-back shone for Kerry/Donegal while Sara Roache and Laura Wynne also impressed. Linda Callaghan kicked over a few lovely points.
Courtney Traynor and Megan Fitzpatrick also added to the Kerry/Donegal tally.
The Rockland goalie pulled off a number of fantastic saves which kept her side in the game for the first half but the older and more experienced Kerry/Donegal team came out all guns blazing for the second period.
Ciara O’Neil put in a standout performance to help secure a one-goal victory and ensure that her side remains at the top of the leaderboard.
This was Kerry/Donegal’s second win over Rockland in the championship this year.
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Manhattan Gaels 4-11 Celtanta 1-2Â
In the junior championship, last year’s league winners Manhattan Gaels were easy winners over newly formed club Celtanta at Rockland Sunday morning.
Manhattan led from start to finish and was too good for the young bloods.
Laura Brennan notched two goals and two points, Erika fox slotted home a penalty kick and 2 points while Allie Kelly netted Gael’s other goal.
Sophie Colgan scored a brace of points while the other point scorers included Lauren Kennedy, Louise Ryan and Shelly Hackett.
Celtanta is an extremely young team and battled on bravely throughout the game. They are building for the future and it will be interesting to watch these girls develop over the coming years.
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Leitrim 1-15 O’Donovan Rossa 2-10
A last-minute goal by Megan Fitzpatrick was enough for Leitrim to snatch victory over O’Donovan Rossa in a pulsating junior football clash at Rockland.
Leitrim was in front for all of the first half and was in control of proceedings at halftime leading by 10 points to 1-3. A bullet of a goal from Breffni McEntee was the highlight of an entertaining opening period.
With the introduction of Emma Farley, the Rossies upped their efforts in the second half. Farley netted a spectacular goal that rattled the underside of the crossbar to edge her side ahead. The forward, who was out with a fractured ankle earlier this year, is returning to form at the right time for ODR.
In what was a game of inches, Leitrim regained the lead with some well-worked points only for O’Donovan Rossa to edge back ahead going into the home stretch.
But Megan Fitzpatrick netted a long-range looping effort directly from a free to register the win. Fitzpatrick notching 1-3 for the afternoon.
Lauren Hollywood was outstanding in the half-back line for ODR while Orla O’Reilly covered a lot of ground.
Lauren Redican impressed for Leitrim winning plenty of frees and scoring three points.
Scorers for Leitrim; Megan Fitzpatrick 1-3, Lauren Redican 0-3, Kathleen Enright 0-3, Katie King 0-1 Shauna McGrath 0-3, Roisin Plunkett 0-2.
Scorers for O’Donovan Rossa; Emma Farley 1-2, Breffni McEntee 1-0, Ashling O’Callaghan 0-1, Enya O’Connor 0-4, Doireann Tarrant 0-3
To submit a match report, please contact Michael Dorgan via email at [email protected].
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Senior Teams 2021: Cavan, Na Fianna, Rockland A, Kerry/Donegal
Junior Teams 2021: O’Donovan Rossa, Manhattan Gaels, Shannon Gaels, Leitrim
Celtanta (new team this year), Rockland B, St. Brigid’s
Death of Phil TraynorÂ
We are very sad to report the passing of Phil Traynor this week.
Phil was a massive supporter of the GAA and his company All Boro Floor Services is the official sponsor of Monaghan GAA.
Phil was known for his generosity and his involvement with the development Rockland GAA club. His daughter Courtney plays for Kerry/Donegal while Ciara plays for Rockland.
He was also a constant benefactor to the Aisling Irish Community Center.
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