Job done as Offaly ladies footballers retain status

It was a case of job done in Crettyard on Sunday afternoon when favorites Offaly retained their Intermediate status for 2025 with a comfortable ten point victory over Wicklow in what was ultimately a very professional performance by Greg Farrellys charges.

Tg4 LGFA Intermediate Championship Relegation Playoff

Offaly 3-11
Wicklow 0-10

From being within a kick of a ball of being in a Leinster final and the same with an All-Ireland Quarter final, draws with Westmeath and Monaghan cost them on both occasions, it was an afternoon where nothing mattered only a victory for the Offaly girls who layed out their intentions from the get go and when team captain Emma Hand had the ball in the net inside two minutes it was clear that the Faithful were on song.
By the end of the opening quarter they were coasting with an Ellee McEvoy goal along with points from the boots of Fiona Dempsey, Róisin Cockram and McEvoy had the Faithful ten points to the good, 2-4 to 0-0, and ultimately Wicklow weren’t going to lay a glove on them from here.
Wicklow managed to get in on the act in the 18th minute with their opening score of the afternoon through their captain Niamh Caffrey before Alana Carroll doubled her side’s tally a few moments later.

Offaly skipper McEvoy then burrowed her way through the Wicklow defence before blasting a shot to the roof of the net for her second and Offalys third goal of the afternoon, ultimately being the score that put this clash beyond doubt.

The Garden county ladies finished the half with a pair of points the first a fine effort from Ella Parke before Caffrey sailed a free between the uprights to leave the gap at nine points by the half way stage.

Caffrey opened the second half scoring with another free three minutes into the second half before Emma Hand cancelled it out with a free of her own at the other end of the field keeping the boot down for the Faithful ladies.

Half time substitute on the Offaly side Saorah Doyle pointed a close range free from the ground in the eight minute of the half before Caffrey pointed two more frees, one of which was quickly cancelled out by a fine effort by Amy Gavin-Mangan to keep the scoreboard ticking over for her side with fifteen minutes remaining in this clash.

Offaly added three more points on the bounce through Doyle and a pair of Roisin Cockram efforts, one from a free and the second from play pushing their side into a much more commanding lead as the clock headed for three last couple of minutes.

Wicklow captain added two more close range frees to her tally wither side if another Cockram free to leave ten points between the sides as the full time whistle sounded cementing Offalys place in the Intermediate championship for 2025.

MATCH ANALYSIS

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Amy Gavin-Mangan (Offaly): Amy Gavin-Mangan was back in her more natural midfield position for this clash and it payed off for the Faithful ladies. She got through a mountain of work and linked up the defense to attack in a very professional manner leading by example communicating well with her teammates.

Nicole Farrelly, Emma Maher and Roisin Ennis all performed well in the Offaly defense while up front Ellee McEvoy, Emma Hand and Roisin Cockram all showed their worth with some brilliant scores over the hour.



THE TEAMS
Offaly: Kelley Cunningham (Tullamore); Anna Grehan (Naomh Ciaran), Emma Maher (Naomh Ciaran), Nicole Farrelly (Edenderry); Claire O’Brien (Tullamore), Michelle Mann (Naomh Molaoise), Róisin Ennis (Naomh Ciaran); Amy Gavin-Mangan (Naomh Ciaran) Marie Byrne (St Conleths); Kiah Farrelly (Edenderry), Ellee McEvoy (Naomh Ciaran), Fiona Dempsey (Naomh Molaoise); Roisin Cockram (Naomh Ciaran), Emma Hand (Ballinamere/Durrow), Ciara Walsh (Naomh Molaoise). Subs: Saorah Doyle (Ballinamere/Durrow) for Walsh (HT), Nicole Buckley (Naomh Ciaran) for K.Farrelly (43), Caoimhe Lynam (St Manchans) for Dempsey (48), Chloe Sheridan (Clara) for O’Brien (53), Fia Quinn for Grehan (56).

Wicklow: Ellen Griffin; Ella Parke, Lucy Dunne, Shannah Goetelen; Niamh Caffrey, Caoimhe Murphy, Megan Healy; Aoife Gorman Sarah Jane Winders; Sarah Evans, Aoife Cullen, Aobha Harmon; Eimear O’Brien, Niamh Cullen, Alana Carroll .



VENUE WATCH

Crettyard GAA on the Laois border was a lovely setting for this clash. The club themselves took great pride in hosting this fixture in conjunction with the LGFA and everything ran smoothly. The pitch was in perfect condition and marked accordingly along with the scoreboard being in operation.

They had plenty of stewards, programs and everything organized and had refreshments available for patrons.


MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Offaly's third goal in the twentieth minute through Ellee McEvoy ultimately ended the game as a contest, it pushed the faithful ladies eleven points ahead and they ran home easy from here.



REFEREE WATCH
Kevin Phelan was consistent throughout the game whilst calls either side may have frustrated both camps they balanced out over all. He was clear with his decision making and played the advantage rule very well. Overall he wasn’t a factor in the result.


WHAT'S NEXT
Job done now for Offaly as they retain their Intermediate status for 2025, the season now comes to an end.


THE SCORERS

Offaly: Ellee McEvoy 2-1, Roisin Cockram (2f) 0-4, Emma Hand (1f) 1-1, Saorah Doyle (1f) 0-2, Amy Gavin-Mangan, Ciara Walsh and Fiona Dempsey 0-1 each.
Wicklow: Niamh Caffrey (7f) 0-8, Ella Parke and Alana Carroll 0-1 each