Caitriona’s goals give Liatroim upper hand in thrilling decider

Caitriona’s goals give Liatroim upper hand in thrilling decider

21 September 2016

LIATROIM retained the senior county title when they saw off a concerted Portaferry challenge at Pairc Esler, Newry, on Saturday.

Niamh Mallon opened the scoring in the fifth minute for Portaferry after catching a short range free and popping the ball over the bar. 

Liatroim worked the ball up the field with a series of passes between Ann Clarke, Deirdre McCabe and Kate McAleenan, but Portaferry’s defence closed down any scoring opportunity. 

A goal came for Portaferry in the tenth minute when Maria McNally ped a free into the forward line and Leonie McNamara pulled on the ball to send it to the back of the net. 

A stoppage in play straight after the goal seemed to disrupt Portaferry’s flow and Aimee McAleenan punished this by sending a long range strike into Caitriona McCrickard, who buried the ball in the back of the net. 

McCrickard added to her tally with a couple of converted frees and Liatroim extended their lead with points from play for Kate McAleenan and Emma McCormick. 

Portaferry responded with a Mallon point from a free and another one from play. Liatroim continued to work well, finding girls all over the field and working the ball towards the Portaferry defence. Caitriona McCrickard made another dash for goal, but a superb block from Mary Jo Coleman denied this scoring opportunity. 

Liatroim continued to apply pressure as the first half drew to a close, but Portaferry’s Fiona McGarry cleared her goal line well. A goal separated the teams at half-time. 

Both teams defended well at the opening of the second half and Portaferry opened the scoring in the sixth minute of the second half with a Maria McNally point from a free. 

Liatroim’s Dearbhla Magee responded with a solo run up the field driving the ball into the forwards. Caitriona McCrickard managed to win the tussle in the forward line and passed the ball onto Aimee McAleenan who struck the ball into the back of the Portaferry net.

Caitriona McCrickard took another point from a free to extend Liatroim’s lead to 2-7 to 1-4. Portaferry were then awarded a 20m free with the only option being to try for a goal with little time left. 

Liatroim pulled back players and created a barrier that would be tough to get through. Clever thinking by Niamh Mallon saw her seek out Maria McNally, who was lingering over on the wing, but the pass just failed to come off.

Portaferry continued to work away and captain Sinead Coulter struck a great ball in from the midfield line which just tailed off wide. 

Liatroim’s Grainne Kelly had a fantastic work rate throughout the entire game and sent another ball into Caitriona McCrickard, who found the back of the net once again. 

Portaferry responded with points from Niamh Mallon and Cliodhna Coleman and they continued to attack with Mallon and Erin McGrattan having scoring opportunities, but Liatroim’s sturdy defence, in particular Ann Clarke and Ciara McGovern, forced them out wide. 

In the final minute of the game Maria McNally dropped a free into the square. A goal line tussle ensued with Leonie McNamara getting the final touch on the ball and putting it in the Liatroim goalmouth. 

Liatroim had a strong team of players with superb performances from Grainne Kelly, Aimee McAleenan, Caitriona McCrickard, Dearbhla Magee and Ann Clarke which 

was just too much for Portaferry to work with. 

Portaferry’s Niamh Mallon had a fabulous game and made some fantastic catches, but quite often was closed down very quickly by the Liatroim girls.

Having struggled with player numbers and lack of management for the best part of the season, Liatroim proved they can rally together when needed and still deliver top class performances.

Liatroim scorers: C McCrickard (2-3, 3f), Kate McAleenan (0-1), Sileen McDonald (0-1), Aimee McAleenan (1-1), Emma McCormick (0-1).

Portaferry scorers: Leonie McNamara (2-0), Maria McNally (0-1, 1f), Cliodhna Coleman (0-1), Niamh Mallon (0-3, 1f).