Previews for ladies county semi finals
August 03, 201010 am Cavan V Fermanagh
The Ladies Championship in New York is now at the semi final stage with both games set for this weekend. Game one pits the Louis O'Hehir Champions (regular season League crown) Cavan against a team that will be very familiar, Fermanagh. The management team over Fermanagh is a Cavan pair, Mullahoran's Nobby Smith and Crosserlough's Paddy Smith. Fermanagh have been revitalized this season with the addition of a number of excellent players. Loretta Cunningham came across in a New York transfer while Erin Galligan returned from last year and both are dangerous forwards. Add to the attacking mix, Caroline Murphy who can score at will if she gets enough ball up front and it is a three pronged attack. Donna Traynor has had an excellent season between the sticks while Tracy Ann McCullough and Caitlin Slattery have been in the heart of the defense. They move the ball very well when given opportunity with Clare McElroy extremely strong in the center of the park. The side has been geared for the playoffs and they have a huge panel to choose from. They meet a sleeping giant in Cavan, the dominant force in NY Ladies football since its inception in the early 90's. They won the regular season title and are now looking to return to the top of the ladder after a year away. New goalkeeper Fiona McLoughlin is a confident keeper. Sure under the high ball and well capable of shot stopping. Kick outs are also top class. Ashley Callery is an excellent full back for a player so young and she is one of many New York born players in the side. Bridget Mulligan is another who has done little wrong this season. Shauna Kiernan will have a slot in the half back line, number 6 is probably her best spot as she needs to be involved throughout, Aimee Gomez will easily slid over to the wing and dominate. The midfield pairing of Caitlin Hynes and Linda McKeon is youth and experience. The tougher the challenge the better McKeon, the former Longford intercounty player likes it. Up front Colleen Jordon and Emma Clarke are the danger figures. If Clarke is fit, there are few to compare. Kelly McArdle has had a quite season to this point but look for her to burst out. It promises to be an outstanding start to the semi final day.
Possible lineout's are as follows.
Fermanagh 1 Donna Traynor 2 Noleen Fitzpatrick 3 Tracy Ann McCullough 4 Orla Grogan 5 Caroline McArdle 6 Caitlin Slattery7 Molly Boyle 8 Clare McElroy 9 Siobhan McCourt 10 Ashlinn Gormley 11 Erin Galligan 12 Leigh Mulhern 13 Ashlin O'Sullivan 14 Loretta Cunningham 15 Caroline Murphy
Cavan 1 Fiona McLaughlin 2 Bridget Mulligan 3 Nicole Rogan 4 Katie McEvoy 5 Caroline McBrien 6 Aimee Gomez 7 Shauna Kiernan 8 Linda McKeon 9 Caitlin Hynes 10 Rosie O'Reilly 11 Colleen Jordon 12 Kelly McArdle 13 Nicola King 14 Emma Clarke 15 Nora Kilkenny
11.30 am Na Fianna V Kerry/Donegal
The second semi final is a repeat of the Anne Kearney cup final of a couple of weeks ago. What a thriller that turned out to be with the game going into extra time before Na Fianna managed a three point win. They have added a number of players since that time with Fiona McHale, Noelle Tierney and Katherine O'Sullivan on board. McHale is a tremendous footballer and she has found her home in the middle of the park. Strong carrying the ball forward she is lethal in front of goal. Tierney and O'Sullivan also love to go forward and this sets up Molly O'Rourke, Mary O'Rourke and Jeannine Rynne with chances a plenty. Mary O'Rourke has been coming off the bench for the last two games but a starting role is more likely in the semi. Young players Kelly McCormack, Brianna Tierney and Stephanie Tierney are all showing prominently with Brianna starting to bring scoring more and more into what was already an excellent game. Captain Aine Dwyer is following her player of the year in 09 with another excellent year while the defense is anchored by Noelle Tierney and Katrina Lynch. Lynch has quick hands to intercept but also is a very tenacious tackler. Sitting behind the team is possible the best keeper in New York, Alison Leydon. She has pulled off some sparkling saves this year to give her team a chance. Player of the game in the Anne Kearney Cup final. It adds up to a very strong lineup for Kieran Traynor as manager this year as he looks to follow Fergal O'Neill and Mark Comerford with a championship banner. Kerry/Donegal has had some very good results this season as they look to shake the big two. The team's strengths start akin to their opponents in the nets. Benny Touhy has been in sensational form. Saves when needed, quality kickouts and sure hands. Louise Lilly is playing very well at number 6 and her marking can drive opponents crazy. Una Burke, Siobhan Neville and Niamh Britton are also having good years at the defensive end with Jennifer Moran an attacking minded player on the wing. The battle in the middle of the park between Michelle McVann, Catherina Brady and the Na Fianna pairing will have a huge bearing on the result. McVann and Brady were outstanding in the Kearney final which put constant pressure on their rivals. If they can repeat the dosage then look for this encounter to be close all the way to the end. Sarah Grealis is a flying forward, her pace is a huge plus for the side and she knows exactly where the posts are when in range. Ali Kelly is a very good ball handler while the main scoring threats will come from Denise Dunnion and Chare Hannon. The battle between Kelly Roche and possible Imelda Mullarkey will be very interesting to watch, Roche can be a game breaker. Captain Anita McKenna may have a roving role which will open up space inside for her attacking teammates. It promises to be another nail biting clash.
Possible lineout's for the Na Fianna -Kerry/Donegal battle.
Na Fianna 1 Alison Leydon 2 Jesse Garcia 3 Katrina Lynch 4 Ashley Brophy 5 Stephanie Tierney 6 Noelle Tierney 7 Imelda Mullarkey 8 Aine O'Dwyer 9 Fiona Dwyer 10 Brianna Tierney 11 Fiona McHale 12 Katrina Sullivan 13 Jeanne Rynne 14 Molly O'Rourke 15 Mary O'Rourke
Kerry/Donegal 1 Benny Touhy 2 Naimh Britton 3 Una Burke 4 Kathleen Hickey 5 Siobhan Neville 6 Louise Lilly 7 Jennifer Moran 8 Michelle McVann 9 Catherina Brady 10 Sarah Grealis 11 Ali Kelly 12 Kelly Roche 13 Denise Dunnion 14 Anita McKenna 15 Clare Hannon Tweet
