Outstanding Offaly ladies reach league decider after thrilling game

OFFALY Ladies Intermediate Footballers needed extra-time to get over Leitrim in the semi final of the Lidl National Football League in Kinnegad on Sunday evening last.

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4

Offaly 2-16
Leitrim 3-10 (AET)

It was Leitrim who got off to the brightest of starts racing into an early two point lead inside the first minute of the game with fine scores from the boot of Laura O’Dowd and a Michelle Guikien free before the lively Niamh Tighe found the back of the Offaly net after a high ball in to the square. 

Instead of setting into panic mode, the Faithful ladies started to eat into the deficit with some fine scores from Ellee McEvoy (3), Ciara Walsh and an Emma Hand free to level proceedings just at the water break after an excellent spell for the Offaly ladies to settle into the the game after what was a very lively opening period. 

Offaly picked up from where they left off in the opening quarter and a fine one two between Fiona Dempsey and the inform McEvoy saw the latter give offaly the lead for the first time in the game.

Leitrim we’re starting to struggle to make any headway in this period of the game and the quality of the Offaly work rate around the middle third of the park was something to be really admired, especially on the opposition kickouts.

Fiona Dempsey and Ciara Walsh either side of a McEvoy fisted score added three more on the trot for Offaly who were really getting in the grove and stretched their lead out to four points as the game approached the mid way point.

A massive double save from Offaly keeper Eimear Evans kept the Offaly girls' lead intact before a huge effort from Leitrim ace Michell Guckian came off the cross bar and fell to the awaiting Laura O’Dowd who made no mistake in finding the back of Evans’ net to leave the bare minimum between the sides as the referee sounded the half time whistle, a massive and badly needed  score for the Leitrim ladies. 

It was Leitrim who were quickest off the mark in the second half and three points in the space of eighty seconds all from the boot of Michelle Guckian put them two points ahead after a blistering opening period.

Substitute Sarah Reynolds made an immediate impact and blasted over with her first touch of the ball after her introduction before another Guickian point increased Leitrims lead out to four points with the women in green and gold really enjoying this purple patch.

Corner forward Marie Byrne got a lovely score for Offaly after fine work from Amy Gavin-Mangan, Dempsey and Hand followed by a fine Gavin-Mangan effort to reduce the gap back to three after thirteen minutes of the half.

Substitute and a player making her return to the Offaly side Mairead Daly was making a huge impact and a fine pass through from her to the on running Emma Hand resulted in a goal for Offaly and a minute later, Daly was on hand to slip the ball through to Ciara Walsh who rattled the back of the Leitrim net to put the Faithful ladies three ahead.

Since Daly's introduction Offaly were really in control of proceedings and as Ellee McEvoy kicked her sixth point of the day the Offaly ladies were four points ahead as the whistle for the water-break came.

The dangerous Laura O’Dowd grabbed a breaking ball and buried the ball into the back of the Offaly net to take Leitrim back into the game as we were about to enter the last ten minutes of action.

Sarah Reynolds won the resulting kick out Guckian then found herself on the end of the pass however Eimear Evans in the Offaly goals produced yet another fine save to prevent what looked like a certain goa opportunity.

With the bare minimum between the sides the Offaly defence were really standing strong winning a number of turnovers, Gavin-Mangan, Annie Kehoe and sub Dawn Hannon putting in some super tackles, Leitrim were really struggling to break down the defence, however, a monster effort from well out the field from the excellent Guckian sailed over the bar to level matters as the game approached its last few minutes, Siomha Quinn was excellent in the build up.

Ellee McEvoy once again showed her class and a huge effort from the edge of the “D” sailed over the bar to put the Faithful county back ahead by one and it looked like it was going to be the winning kick as the clock ticked into injury time.

However, Leitrim were not finished and after a turnover in the full back line Leitrim worked the ball up the pitch and Guckian kicked her eight of the evening to level up the game and put matters to extra time after a pulsating hour of football.

It was first blood to Offaly in extra time and after a huge turnover from Kehoe, Gavin-Mangan found the lively Mairead Daly who kicked Offaly in front after a fine run and McEvoy got her eight from a free after Eve Kelly was fouled close to goals to give the ladies in white a two point lead.

Leitrim were still working hard and were trying g their best to find their way through the Offaly defence however another good save from Evans and huge block from Becky Bryant ensured the Offaly goal remained intact. 

A Saorah Doyle free in the second period of extra time was to be the only score of the period and after a couple of Leitrim attacks Offaly's Nicole Buckley turned over possession the full time whistle was sounded and it was Offaly who came up trumps.

THE TEAMS

Offaly: Eimear Evans (Tullamore); Nicole Buckley (Naomh Ciaran), Emer Nally (Naomh Ciaran), Becky Bryant (Tullamore); Annie Kehoe (Tullamore) Imelda Fleming (Clara), Roisin Ennis, capt (Naomh Ciaran); Amy Gavin-Mangan (Naomh Ciaran), Emma Maher (Naomh Ciaran); Fiona Dempsey (Naomh Molaoise), Emma Hand (Ballinamere/Durrow), Saoirse McGuinness (St Manchans); Marie Byrne (St Conleths) Ellee McEvoy (Naomh Ciaran), Ciara Walsh (Naomh Molaoise). Subs: Michelle Mann (Naomh Molaoise) for Fleming (42min), Mairead Daly for McGuinness (42min), Dawn Hannon (Rhode for Nally (46min), Eve Kelly (Clara) for Walsh 52min) Aoife Carey (St Broughans) for Maher (ET), Saorah Doyle (Ballinamere/Durrow) for Dempsey (67min), Emma Maher for Hand (76min)

Leitrim: Niamh Ryan; Marina Gray, Mary-Alice Maguire, Siobhan McCarton; Cherlene Tyrrell, Clare Owens (capt), Carla LeQuen; Ashling Quinn, Niamh Tighe; Laura O’Dowd, Michelle Guckian, Sharlyn Ward; Megan McGovern, Liadh Fox, Siomha Quinn. Subs: Rebecca Rooney for Gray (26min), Sarah Reynolds for Tighe (37min), Roisin McHugh for Ward (38min), Emma McGovern for Fox (59min), Elise Bruen for Quinn (60min), Amy Fowley for McGovern (72min, inj), Edel Kelly for Quinn (75min)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Nicole Buckley (Offaly): While eight points would normally get a player this award Ellee McEvoy, along with Saoirse McGuinness, Amy Gavin-Mangan, Annie Kehoe and Roisin Ennis all having great games for Offaly, Nicole Buckley gets the nod after a fantastic defensive display, her turnovers and work-rate were a huge factor in Offaly getting over the line. 

REFEREE WATCH

Mel Kenny was very sticky with some of the rules, mainly the steps and charging, a few calls that were questionable but over all they balanced out and he had a good game and consulted with his officials when necessary.

VENUE WATCH

Kinnegad was in fantastic condition and as always they hosted the game very well, with plenty of stewards on the day and programmes handed out free of charge and the scoreboard in operation all along with the pitch being in fantastic condition on the occasion of two semi finals. They also hand an ambulance on standby too on the day, unfortunately this had to be used but it was a good touch to have it there and avoid any delays.

TALKING POINT

The depth amongst the Offaly squad this year is a huge help to the growth and development of this team. To be able to hold players of the calibre of Dawn Hannon, Mairead Daly, Aoife Carey and Saorah Doyle in reserve was massive and they all contributed very well when introduced.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly move on to meet Limerick in the league final on April 3rd in what will be a repeat of the 2015 decider, Leitrims league campaign comes to an end but their preparations for their Connaught championship next month continues

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly 11 (6 1st half, 1 2nd half, 4 extra time); Leitrim 3 (2 1st half, 1 extra time.

Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Ellee McEvoy 0-8, Ciara Walsh 1-2, Emma Hand 1-1(1f), Fiona Dempsey, Amy Gavin-Mangan, Marie Byrne, Mairead Daly and Saorah Doyle (f) 0-1 each

Leitrim: Michelle Guckian 0-9 (3f), Laura O’Dowd 2-1, Niamh Tighe 1-0.