Na Fianna complete historic double

A very strong first half performance was enough for Na Fianna to become Leinster Intermediate champions at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow on Sunday.

The Meath senior champions first half tally of 1-8 gave them a commanding seven-point lead at half time. The Laois outfit O’Moores rallied well in the second half but a strong defensive performance from Na Fianna saw them get over the line by two points and claim the provincial crown.

Laura Marie Maher and Máire Kirby traded scores in the early exchanges. After a scrappy opening five minutes, Maher edged O’Moores in front with a pointed free. That was immediately followed by an impressive point from Lucy Conroy to put the Laois side up by two. Na Finna responded with a lovely point courtesy of Kerrie Cole before Kirby got her second point to level proceedings. Despite a scrappy start to the game, it was Na Fianna who looked the stronger of the two sides in the opening 15 minutes.

Aoife Carey’s short range free put Na Fianna ahead for the first time. Carey immediately followed that score with a point from play to give the Meath side a two-point cushion.

Na Fianna had a chance to raise a green flag following a mistake from O’Moore’s keeper Aoife Donovan. Kirby failed to capitalise on the chance but Emma Regan claimed the rebound and put it over the bar for her only score. Moments later Máire Kirby made up for that missed chance. A long ball in from Aoife Carey was knocked down into the net by the hurl of Kirby. It gave Na Fianna a six-point lead with five minutes of normal time remaining in the first half.

A third pointed free from Maher settled the ship for the O’Moores. Aoife Carey cancelled out Maher’s point with a free of her own.

Aoife Carey secured her third pointed free before the break to leave seven points between the sides at half time, 1-8 to 0-4.

Na Fianna had worked their way into a very strong position at the halfway mark. In that first half they were getting a lot of joy from the wide areas especially down the terrace side as Sophia Payne and Kerrie Cole were dominating their individual match ups.

Claire Coffey was a rock at full back and Máire Kirby was on song in the opening 30 with a personal tally of 1-2.

O’Moores came out in the second half with intent and they were rewarded with a goal early on courtesy of full forward Amy McKane. McKane did well to claim the sliotar just outside the square and with a quick turn buried it to the Na Fianna net.

Mary Keating took over dead ball duties for the O’Moores and her point on the 40-minute mark reduced the gap back to three.

Na Fianna were yet to register a score in the second half. Brodie Kelly finally getting Na Fianna’s second half tally of the mark just as we headed into the final quarter.

A second yellow in the space of 10 minutes sent O’Moores centre back Aoife Hyland to the line and the Laois side had to play the remainder with only 14 players.

Na Fianna had a real chance to put the game beyond O’Moores when Kirby found herself through on goal. Her swipe at the sliotar whisked past the right hand side of the O’Moores’ post.

The O’Moores started to creep back into contention. Mary Keating and Aoife Carey traded frees which left only three points between the sides as the contest headed into injury time.

A third Mary Keating gave the O’Moores hope with not much time left on the clock.

Aedin Slattery was denied a goal chance in the closing stages. That didn’t matter however as Na Fianna held on to claim victory.

Despite only scoring three points in the second half, Na Fianna were deserving winners on the day. There were some strong attacking performances from the likes of Shauna Ennis, Kerrie Cole and Máire Kirby. Aoife Carey was dominant in midfield and her tally of six points secured her the player of the match award. However, it was Na Fianna’s resilient defence that saw them over the line on the day in particular Sophia Payne and Claire Coffey both had outstanding games.

SCORERS

Na Fianna - Aoife Carey 0-6 four frees; Máire Kirby 1-2; Kerrie Cole 0-1; Brodie Kelly 0-1; Emma Regan 0-1.

O’Moores - Mary Keating 0-5 three frees; Laura Marie Maher 0-3 three frees; Amy McKane 1-0; Lucy Conroy 0-1.

TEAMS

Na Fianna - Niamh Kirby; Gracie Grehan, Claire Coffey, Aisling Byrne; Sophia Payne, Eimear Fagan, Leah Devine; Aedín Slattery, Aoife Carey; Brodie Kelly, Shauna Ennis, Kerrie Cole; Máire Kirby, Emma Regan, Brooke Flynn. Subs - Leah Dixon for Flynn 43m, Erin Leddy for Kirby 55m, Katie Kelly for Brodie Kelly 59m, Maebh Downey for Devine 60m.

O’Moores - Aoife Donovan; Rachel Williams, Rosemarie Bermingham, Mary Hyland; Aisling Bohan, Aoife Hyland, Jenny McEvoy; Lucy Conroy, Ellen Conroy; Mary Keating, Laura Marie Maher, Liadan C Fennell; Lorna O’Sullivan, Amy McKane, Amy Flanagan. Subs - Laura Peake for O’Sullivan, Derbhile C Fennell for Flanagan both half time, Julie Ann Bennett for Bohan 51m.

Referee - Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).