Eastern Gaels Ladies staged a dramatic second half comeback in Moynalvey tonight to preserve their unbeaten record. Trailing by 8 at half time, the team dug deep in the second half to overturn the deficit and come out one point winners on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-15.
The hosts got off to a flying start with the opening two points but a driving run by Emma O’Sullivan saw Megan Murray finish with a point off the post. Moynalvey came back strongly and scored the next two points, the second a free.
Gaels then worked a clever short free from Caoimhe Cairns to Aoibhinn Butler who fed Megan M for a second point. Some good approach play by Kate O’Sullivan and Aoibhinn led to Caoimhe scoring our third point to make it 4-3 after just 8 minutes.
In what was becoming a pattern in the game Moynalvey scored the next two points while Gaels missed a couple of scorable opportunities. Emma steadied the ship with a fine point from 25 metres and despite a period of pressure we could not trouble the scoreboard.
Gaels were made to pay midway through the half when the next attack yielded a goal for the home side which was followed by another point and suddenly there was 6 points between the sides.
A clever through ball resulted in a fine point for Megan M but we suffered another setback when a point attempt dropped short but unfortunately right under the crossbar for another goal for Moynalvey. Another brace of points, the second a free, left us trailing by 10 points with half time approaching.
Megan Cromwell, Sorcha Cronin and Aoibhinn were working hard inside but the scores were proving hard to come by. But in keeping with the never say die attitude of this team Gaels stormed back and a free by Megan M and a shot by Caoimhe which the keeper had to tip over left a half time score of Moynalvey 2-09 Eastern Gaels 0-07.
We started the second half strongly and only a fine save kept Annaleigh McGuinness from netting. Gaels opened the second half scoring soon after when Kate O scored after powering through the middle.
Seven minutes into the half some great work by Caoimhe and Aoibhinn saw Sorcha C finish to the net. Game on. Gaels were rampant now and Megan M pointed again attacking through the centre. Some great defensive work by Rachel Boyle started a move which ended with Caoimhe adding another point.
Ten minutes into the second half the gap was down to a single point after an excellent Megan M point. Moynalvey introduced a couple of substitutes and again took the game to the Gaels. Our defence was incredible during this phase of the game with Alison Connolly and Rachel winning every challenge and Cliodhna Cairns and Sorcha Nic an Aba shoring up the centre. Kate Ball and Grace Toolan were everywhere and winning ball that they had no right to.
Up front Annaleigh and Caoimhe were winning every ball and Megan C, Sorcha C and Leah Maguire were defending from the front.
With 15 minutes left a Caoimhe free tied the scores. Then another surging run saw Kate O find Megan M and incredibly we were ahead. 2-09 to 1-13. More heroic defending followed and Isabelle McDonnell Murphy was finding a Gaels shirt with every kickout.
A superb long ball over the top from Megan M saw Aoibhinn point with her left to open a two point gap. Moynalvey came storming back and with four minutes to go their first score of the second half left a point between the teams.
We still remained calm and kept possession well and worked the ball into their half. Emma drew a foul and Caoimhe made no mistake with time almost up.
The home side surged forward in a bid to save the game and only an excellent save by Isabelle prevented a heart-breaking late goal. Moynalvey were awarded a free and pointed with what was the last kick of the game.
The final whistle brought a huge sense of relief but also a huge sense of pride after what was an epic second half display. Moynalvey 2-11, Eastern Gaels 1-15.
Eastern Gaels: Isabelle McDonnell Murphy, Alison Connolly, Sorcha Nic an Aba, Megan Cromwell, Kate Ball, Cliodhna Cairns, Rachel Boyle, Emma O’Sullivan (0-01), Kate O’Sullivan (0-01), Sorcha Cronin (1-00), Megan Murray (0-07, 1f), Annaleigh McGuinness, Aoibhinn Butler (0-01), Caoimhe Cairns (0-05 2f), Leah Maguire, Grace Toolan.
Monday 22 April 2024
