Leinster LGFA Club Championship Finalists Confirmed

By Aisling Clery, Leinster LGFA PRO

Last year’s finalists, Longford Slashers, booked their place in the 2022 Intermediate Final when they saw off the challenge of Wexford’s Shelmaliers, a repeat of the 2021 semi-final tie. In what was a tightly fought encounter that was level at the break (1-02 to 0-05), Longford Slashers found the net three times in all with Jessica Barry (penalty), Kate Shannon and Orla Nevin getting their names on the scoresheet. Shelmalier battled determinedly in the second half with Captain Eleanor Neville finding the net but ultimately, last year’s finalists did enough to secure their second successive Intermediate final. We wish Sarah Harding Kenny all the best with her recovery after injury at today’s game.

Meanwhile, in the Royal County, Skryne ensured there would be a Meath team in this year’s club finals when they overcame a plucky Cooley Kickhams’ side. Ciara Smyth hit 2-08 while Ellie Murphy hit 1-03 as Mick O’Dowd’s side dominated the opening twenty minutes. Cooley Kickhams hit back and first half goals from Niamh Rice and Lucy White brought the Louth champions right back into contention. In the second half, Skryne’s defence proved resolute and while Laura Traynor did find the back of the net for Cooley, the result was never in doubt. The 2022 Intermediate final will see Skryne take on Longford Slashers on Sunday, November 13^th.

On Saturday, Kilkenny’s Muckalee and Westmeath’s St. Josephs played out an extra time thriller in front of a large crowd in Tang GAA. St Joseph’s dominated the first half, Caoilinn Elliffe hit 1-03 in the opening half as the Westmeath champions led by 1-07 to 0-03 at the break. However, Muckalee came alive in the second half, Kate Purcell hitting the net to draw the sides level at 1-09 each. While Purcell put Muckalee a point ahead, Karen Keegan hit a free late on and ensured extra time would be played. In extra time, St. Josephs pulled four clear with Sinéad Robbins finding the bottom left corner with aplomb and Keegan adding a point a minute later. Muckalee refused to throw in the towel and a Katie Nolan goal drew the game level once more as the half time whistle went in extra time. Rebecca Roche and Eadaoin Coady found the net in the final ten minutes to ensure the Kilkenny champions booked their place in the Leinster final.

In Raheens, the home side and O’Dwyers played out a ten goal thriller. Raheens led by three at the break, 2-07 to 3-01. Shannon Richardson, who was outstanding for O’Dwyers, found the net twice in the opening half while Katie McCabe also hit the net. Ciana O’Brien and Sarah McGovern raised green flags for Raheens in the first thirty. Katie McCabe converted an early second half penalty to draw the game level. The game was nip and tuck throughout the second half but two goals in quick succession from O’Dwyers turned the tide in favour of the Dublin champions. The first was a sideline ball from Alanna Kelly that dropped over Raheen’s keeper, Anna Dunlea’s head. Dunlea’s subsequent kickout was won by Richardson and she made no mistake. While Raheens did manage to pull another goal back through Sarah McGovern, it was Richardson that levelled matters and helped see her side go two clear. Leah Fleming reduced the margin, but it was too late as the full-time whistle went sending O’Dwyers marching on to the final. O’Dwyers will face Muckalee in the Junior Final on Saturday, November 12^th.

RESULTS

Leinster Junior Club Championship Semi-Finals

Raheens 4-11, O’Dwyers 6-06

St Josephs 2-11, Muckalee 4-13

Leinster Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Finals

Skryne 3-16, Cooley Kickhams 3-08

Shelmalier 1-05, Skryne 3-05