Ladies back to winning ways with one-sided victory over Wicklow

All-Ireland Ladies IFC round 2

Cavan 1-20

Wicklow 0-4

Aideen Coyle at Kingspan Breffni

Cavan welcomed Wicklow to Kingspan Breffni on Sunday for the penultimate round of the group stage of the All-Ireland series. Having been beaten narrowly by Monaghan in round one, the Breffni ladies knew they needed a win here if they were to progress into the knock-out phases of the championship.

Entering the tie, the expectation was that the Division 3 National League champions would ease past the challenge of a Wicklow side who finished mid-table of Division 4 earlier in the season – and so it transpired.

The tie was all but wrapped up at half-time as Cavan entered the break with an eight-point cushion as the visitors managed just two points from frees in the closing quarter of the first half. A further 1-10 from the hosts in the second half led to a comprehensive and deserved win for the Ulster Intermediate champions.

Cavan started the game with five points on the trot before Wicklow opened their account in the 16th minute from a Sinead McGettigan free. Cavan opened up with a Keri McCormack point 17 seconds into the clash as Micaela Fitzpatrick and debutant Niamh Tolan combined from the throw-in.

Cavan, who led for the entirety of the contest, doubled their lead moments later as Catherine Dolan pointed from close range.

As Cavan continued to pile on the pressure, Niamh Keenaghan was denied a goal by a save from Ellen Griffin but the hosts added a further hat-trick of points. Aisling Gilsenan opened her account from a free after a foul on Rebecca McLoughlin followed by one apiece from Sinead Greene and McCormack.

Trailing by five Wicklow broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as McGettigan pointed a free. However, Cavan made the perfect reply with Gilsenan firing over another three frees in quick succession. Ten minutes after her first, McGettigan converted another routine free but the hosts finished the half strongest with another two white flags to leave eight between the teams at the break.

Gilsenan hit her fifth of the half followed by a fisted effort from full-forward Keenaghan to leave Cavan in control.

Ahead 0-10 0-2 at half-time, Cavan once again opened the second half scoring with five without reply. Two minutes in, Catherine Dolan dispossessed Niamh Cullen in the Cavan full-back line and after a swift counter-attacking move Gilsenan fired over her first from play.

Three minutes later the sharpshooter registered again after Keri McCormack overturned possession at the opposite end. Another from the lively Dolan and two more from the excellent Gilsenan left 13 between the sides with 21 minutes gone in the second half.

Wicklow’s star player on the day, Aoife Gorman, got her side’s second half account up and running in the 23rd minute but Cavan continued to dominate scoring opportunities, netting a further 1-3.

Niamh Tolan pointed followed by the games opening goal with 56 minutes played. A turnover from Dolan led to Rebecca McLoughlin firing to the roof of the net followed by a point from the Shannon Gaels clubwoman.

As full -ime approached the outstanding Gilsenan added a further hattrick of points to her personal tally as Shauna Byrne landed a good score at the opposite end despite being put under pressure from Shauna Lynch.

Sunday’s victory puts Cavan second in group C and unless there is a huge upset next weekend as Wicklow host Monaghan, the Breffni women  will progress to the quarter-finals of the competition on the weekend of June 28-29.

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh, Eimear Corcoran, Christina Charters, Lucy Crowe, Sinead Greene 0-01, Shauna Lynch, Mona Sheridan, Micaela Fitzpatrick, Niamh Tolan 0-01, Keri McCormack 0-02, Aishling Sheridan, Catherine Dolan 0-02, Aisling Gilsenan 0-12 (7f), Niamh Keenaghan 0-01, Rebecca McLoughlin 1-01

Subs used: Sophie Daly for E. Corcoran, Lucy Jayne Grant for N. Keenaghan, Annie Deneher for M. Fitzpatrick, Zara Fay for M. Sheridan, Niamh McCorry for A. Sheridan

Wicklow: Ellen Griffin, Sarah Evans, Sarah Jane Winders, Meabh Corr, Isabel Ledesma, Shannagh Goetelen, Lucy Dunne, Annmarie Keegan, Aoife Gorman 0-01, Niamh Cullen, Shauna Byrne 0-01, Eadaoin O’Keane, Aobha Harmon, Sinead McGettigan 0-02 (2f), Helena Dowling

Subs used: Lucy Kemple for A. Harmon, Ciara Wafer for E. O’Keane, Elizabeth Bourke for A. Keegan, Niamh O’Brien for H. Dowling, Emily Rose O’Toole for M. Corr, Michelle Reneghan for N. Cullen

Ref: Gavin Finnegan (Down)