Thomastown 1-12 Windgap 1-10
After a narrow opening round defeat to Tullaroan, Thomastown got their senior league championship campaign back on track with a narrow two point win over Windgap in what was very much a game of two halves last Friday evening in Thomastown. Windgap held the upper hand for most of the opening half and had chances to extend their lead early in the second period; however, these missed chances proved vital as Thomastown led by Sarah Barcoe improved considerably in the final quarter to turn this match in their favour.
On a warm dry evening, Windgap started the better of both sides and had a lead of 1-3 to 0-0 after 13 minutes thanks to three frees by Ona Kennedy and a goal from Sontae Jackson. Thomastown were struggling at this time and their tactic of playing a sweeper was not helping their cause. They did settle as the match moved into the second quarter which saw the sides largely trade scores at either end – Thomastown added five points over this period from Sarah Barcoe, Blaithnaid Galway (2), Roisin O’Keeffe and Michelle Donnelly – but Windgap held onto their six point lead as they added further points from Ona Kennedy (4 frees) and Rachel O’Meara. The direct running of Rachel O’Meara had Thomastown in difficulty throughout this half and Windgap headed to the interval with a useful 1-8 to 0-5 lead.
The opening ten minutes of the second half saw both sides just add a single point to leave the scores at 1-9 (W) to 0-6 (T) after 40 minutes but Windgap were guilty of missing a number of chances to further increase their lead at this point. Gradually, Thomastown stated to gain control of the contest with three points from the impressive Sarah Barcoe reducing the match to a one score game (1-9 to 0-9). Windgap looked to have survived a big moment when goalkeeper saved a Thomastown penalty but the relief was short lived as moments later, Michelle Donnelly tapped to the net to level the match after a Sarah Barcoe piledriver rebounded off the Windgap crossbar. Thomastown were now in the ascendancy and they managed to drive on to the finish line in the closing ten minutes which saw them outscore Windgap 0-3 to 0-1 in what was a frantic closing ten minutes. For Thomastown, the second half rally sets them up for further stern tests in this senior championship while Windgap will know that a greater return than 0-2 in the second half will be needed to get over the line in tight matches. Both sides play their third and final group championship match on Sunday 7th September.
Thomastown: Libby Begley, Sarah Hudson, Kate McDonald, Marie Farrell, Ellen Ryan, Sinead Galway, Joanne Fitzpatrick, Ona O’Keeffe, Sinead O’Keeffe, Therese Donnelly, Sarah Barcoe, Roisin O’Keeffe, Ailis O’Shea, Blaithnaid Galway, Michelle Donnelly. Subs: Clodagh Galway, Niamh Galway, Niamh O’Shea, Una Donnelly, Ellen Treacy, Samantha Kavanagh, Fiona Farrell.
Windgap: Ali Kennedy, Caoimhe Power, Emer Moylan, Moya Egan, Orlaith O’Shea, Gillian Costello, Nathania Jackson, Ona Kennedy, Rachel O’Meara, Sontae Jackson, Sarah McCarthy, Ciara O’Shea, Margaret Purcell, Aisling O’Shea, Megan Kenneally. Subs: Laura Doyle, Laura Foley, Ava Lily O’Neill, Aisling Foley, Emer Smith, Denise Foley.
Referee: John McCormack
By PRO Wed 27th Aug
