Naomh Muire strike late against Killybegs to deservedly take Ladies Intermediate title

Three points in the final 10 minutes ensured Naomh Muire took the Ladies Intermediate crown in difficult conditions against Killybegs at Pairc Taoibhoige, Glenfin.

Naomh Muire 0-10 Killybegs 0-7

Over the hour plus minutes, Naomh Muire were the better side and but for some heroic defending by Niamh Gatins and Mairead Gallagher, they would have won by much more. They were denied three or four goal chances with balls being taken off the line.

Killybegs relied heavily on county player Susanne White and she accounted for all but one of their scores. But the telling difference between the sides was that Killybegs failed to score from play.

But having said that, Killybegs held the lead until the 55th minute, thanks to White's accuracy. White had three points on the board inside eight minutes, all from frees. Naomh Muire were finding it difficult to make inroads before Erika Hanna pointed from a free on 12 minutes.

Tara O'Donnell was denied a goal but Ailbhe O'Donnell hit a second point, the first score from play. Susanne White saw a free come back off the crossbar and after a great run by Tara O'Donnell, Ailbhe O'Donnell had Naomh Muire on level terms on 19 minutes.

Naomh Muire had another goal chance on 26 minutes when an Ailbhe O'Donnell effort for a point came back off an upright. Killybegs finished the half well with two more frees from Susanne White and Shauna Gallagher to lead 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Killybegs added to their tally when the Naomh Muire 'keeper Saoirse Bonner was whistled for a double hop and Susanne White accepted the gift.

Naomh Muire continued to get goal chances with Niamh Gatins saving on the line and when Mairead Gallagher was caught outfield, Erika Hanna was wide with a goal effort.

It was Roisin Rodgers who showed the winners the way, firing over a great point on 39 minutes and Katie O'Donnell won a free for Erika Hanna to cut the lead to the minimum on 40 minutes.

Saoirse Bonner made a great save to stop a certain goal when Maire Dawn White's pass was seeking out her sister before Susanne White had Killybegs final point from a free on 46 minutes.

There followed a five minute stoppage in play as a spectator was attended to and when play resumed Naomh Muire seemed to have their focus back.

Caroline Sharkey and Erika Hanna had them level from frees before a late burst of scores from Katie O'Donnell, Hanna and Sharkey (both frees) closed out the game to the delight of the huge Naomh Muire attendance at the game.

The winners were well served by Annie Rose Quinn, Roisin Rodgers, the O'Donnell half-forward line and Erika Hanna in particular.

Naomh Muire scorers: Erika Hanna 0-4,4f; Ailbhe O'Donnell 0-2; Caroline Sharkey 0-2,2f; Roisin Rodgers, Katie O'Donnell 0-1 each.

Killybegs scorers: Susanne White 0-6,6f; Shauna Gallagher 0-1,f.

Naomh Muire: Saoirse Bonner; Leah McGarvey, Hannah Gallagher, Casey McGarvey; Caoimhe Boyle, Annie Rose Quinn, Amy Hanna; Roisin Rodgers, Sarah Doherty; Katie O'Donnell, Ailbhe O'Donnell, Tara O'Donnell; Caroline Sharkey, Erika Hanna, Ciara Kavanagh.
Sub: Hollie McDaid for Kavanagh (ht)

Killybegs: Mairead Gallagher; Katelyn Gorrell, Niamh Gatins, Elzbieta Sapa; Rebecca O'Shea Claire Boyle, Aine Breslin; Leah Cunningham, Tara White; Shauna Gallagher, Caoimhe Cunningham, Emma Cunningham; Chloe Knox, Marie Dawn White, Susanne White.
Sub: Ellie Rawdon for Knox (56)

Referee: Siobhan Coyle (Gaeil Fhánada)