St. Michaels 1-10, Dee Rangers 1-15 AET                                                                

Dee Rangers staved off the brave challenge of St. Michaels to reach the Meath Intermediate final following a hard earned victory in front of a very large crowd at a breezy Syddan on Saturday afternoon last.

Having fashioned a comfortable opening half lead Dee Rangers were pushed to the limit in the second moiety by a gallant St. Michaels side who battled gamely right to the final whistle. Playing with the aid of a strengthening breeze Dee Rangers hit the ground running and were first off the mark with two points on the bounce in the opening five minutes. Marion Farrelly opened the St. Michaels account with a converted free however her side struggled to get into the game for the remainder of the opening quarter as the home side built up a 1-8 to 0-2 lead by the 18th minute. Laura Halpin pulled off one of many brilliant saves a minute later preventing a certain second goal for Dee Rangers. Claire Reilly and Farrelly added a point apiece for their side to trail by five at the break, 0-3 to 1-5.    

Dee Rangers stretched that lead straight from the re-start, but there was still life left in the St. Michaels girls despite a nervous first half and an excellent ball in from Claire Halpin was deflected to the back of the net by the in-rushing Claire Reilly on 35 minutes for a two point game. Dee Rangers replied with a brace of minors to go four in front again but some great work by Mia Griffen resulted in Marion Farrelly adding her sides next minor. Farrelly hit a further two great efforts before substitute Erin Lynch hit the target for the leveller on 50 minutes. Aine Sheridan was the provider for Farrelly's next minor as both sides traded points until Podge Coyle blew the long whistle for the end of normal time with the sides locked at 1-10 apiece.

Dee Rangers dictated all of the play in the 20 minutes of extra time as they held their opponents scoreless while they added a further five minors to secure a place in this years final.                                                                                          

St. Michaels team & scorers: Laura Halpin; Anna Gilsenan, Lorraine Curtis, Ciara Reilly; Alicia Curtis, Mia Griffin, Sarah Bradley; Kate Sheridan, Deirbhile Curran; Ellie Jackson, Marion Farrelly (0-8), Seona Lynch; Aine Sheridan, Claire Reilly (1-1), Claire Halpin.                           

Subs used: Erin Lynch, Edel Reilly, Roisin Stafford, Sinead McCormack.            

Referee: Podge Coyle.                                                                                                                                         

Report: Pascal Reilly, PRO.

Tweet

Most Read Stories