Second half goals crucial sees Division 4 title head east

Mountnugent/Munterconnaught ladies had a dominant league campaign which saw them unbeaten in five games before dispatching Cuchulainns comfortably in the semi-final to book their spot in the league final in mid-October.

Their opposition was a youthful Drumgoon side who had a mixed campaign finishing third with two wins from a possible five. One of those losses was to semi-finalists Shercock who they defeated at the second time of asking by four points to reach the league decider.

The two sides had previously met in both their league and championship campaigns with Mountnugent/Munterconnaught gaining bragging rights on both occasions.

When the finalists met in Round 5 of the competition just a goal separated them, so another tight encounter was expected. Drumgoon’s hopes were further bolstered by the welcome return since the championship by a number of players, including attackers Jordan Crowe and Catherine Ahearne.

A Keela Pepper strike for Damien Clarke’s side left the tie level at half-time after an underwhelming opening half. A fortuitous goal from Aisling Gilsenan and another strike from Ciara Enright in the second half fired the table toppers to a lead they would hold on to after a very evenly contested game played in Rathluden Park.

Mountnugent/Munterconnaught started the game brightest with two points seconds apart from Ciara Enright and a free from Aisling Gilsenan following a foul on Holly Watters. But a wonderful strike from Pepper after link up play between Nadine Keappock and Mairead Markey in the 3rd minute gave Drumgoon the lead for the first time. After an exciting opening few minutes Bronagh Mullen pointed from close range to bring the sides level.

The opening half was end to end with both sides trading scores in a low scoring opening half. One apiece from Gilsenan and Shelly Smith kept the teams all square midway through the half. The returning Jordan Crowe pointed an excellent score to give Drumgoon a momentary lead. With 20 minutes on the clock youngster Holly Watters got her name on the scoresheet with a well struck effort. Watters’ point was the closing score of the half as both sides failed to convert another leaving the halftime score 1-02 to 0-05. Drumgoon kicked off the scoring for the half as Megan Moynagh won the throw-in creating a score for Catherine Ahearne. However, from the resulting kickout from Emma Cullen to Kate O’Reilly Mountnugent/Munterconnaught pointed their opening score of the half from Mullen bringing the teams level for the fourth time. Catherine Ahearne was as influential as ever for Drumgoon and a fantastic strike from the former county player left Drumgoon ahead once again by the minimum.

Converted frees from Gilsenan and Crowe kept a narrow margin between the teams with ten minutes gone in the half. However, Drumgoon failed to score again for 20 minutes with Mountnugent/Munterconnaught crucially hitting 2-02 in this timeframe.

The excellent Mullen brought the teams level before a free from Gilsenan found its way into the back of the Drumgoon net to put Mountnugent/Munterconnaught ahead by three. After 10 minutes without a score, it was the leaders who got the next score as Ciara Enright found the net for her side’s second goal of the game after a brilliant piece of defending from Ruth Gilsenan. Another pointed free for Aisling Gilsenan after a foul on Saoirse Reilly left them in control entering injury time.

The final score went to Ahearne who pointed a free after a foul on substitute Sarah Clarke. But her score was only consolation as Mountnugent/Munterconnaught look ahead to Division 3 football next year.

Drumgoon scorers: Keela Peper 1-00, Catherine Ahearne 0-03 (1f), Jordan Crowe 0-02 (1f), Shelly Smith 0-01

Mountnugent/Munterconnaught scorers: Aisling Gilsenan 1-04 (1-04f), Ciara Enright 1-01, Bronagh Mullen 0-03, Holly Watters 0-01