First-half scoring surge sends Sarsfields into quarter-finals
Sarsfields 2-12
Park/Ratheniska 1-8
SARSFIELDS are safely through to the quarter-finals in this year’s Laois Ladies SFC after they defeated Park/Ratheniska on Sunday evening.
This game was a straight shootout for third and fourth with the winner securing a place in the quarter-finals, while the losers would finish bottom of the group and face into a relegation play-off against Graiguecullen.
Remarkably, Sarsfields were able to call on the services of veteran Aileen O’Loughlin who came out of retirement to play in goals with Roisin Dowling out injured. O’Loughlin was part of the Laois team that were recently honoured on All-Ireland Finals day marking 25 years since they beat Mayo in 2001.
It took eight minutes for the first score to arrive and it came for the away side as Amy Ring pointed a free. Park/Ratheniska midfielder Anna Healy was the scorer of their first point as her effort hit off the inside of the post and went over.
Sarsfields dominated the next 10 minutes and fired in 1-4 unanswered. Aoibhe Foyle and a second free from Ring pushed them in front. Their goal came after Becky Williams got possession around the 40-metre arc and just ran straight at the Park/Ratheniska defence and it saw her score a goal without anyone laying a hand on her. Meaghan Dunne and a third score from Ring gave them a healthy seven-point advantage after 18 minutes.
Grace Cunningham got Park/Ratheniska’s second score, but Sarsfields got in for a second goal before half-time. Laura-Marie got a point and then from the kick-out, Aerin Ryle caught it and fed it to Dunne, who squared it to Ring and she tapped the ball into an empty net. Ellen O’Byrne pointed a free for Park/Ratheniska’s third point of the first half.
Sarsfields went into the dressing rooms with an 11-point lead as Ryle and Dunne raised white flags before the rain started just on the sounding of the half-time whistle.
The rain continued to pour for the reminder of the contest and it made for a sloppy game with scores hard to come by. Ring and O’Byrne swapped frees to get the half underway.
Laura Crawford got her only score of the game, but it was still a long way back for the home side with them still trailing by 10 points. Sarsfields increased their lead to 12 points shortly after as Ellen Conroy and Ring (free) put them in an unassailable position.
Park/Ratheniska did manage to get a goal through O‘Byrne with eight minutes to play, but the gap was still nine and Sarsfields looked home and hosed.
Laura Marie Maher scored the game’s final point as Tomas Moore’s side sealed their place in the last eight. They’ll now face Ballyroan on Friday, September 18. Meanwhile, Park/Ratheniska will have to win next time out against Graiguecullen or else they’ll be playing in the Intermediate Championship in 2027.
SCORERS:
Sarsfields: Amy Ring 1-5 (0-4fs), Becky Williams 1-0, Meaghan Dunne and Laura Marie Maher 0-2 each, Aoibhe Foyle, Aerin Ryle, and Ellen Conroy 0-1 each.
Park/Ratheniska: Ellen O’Byrne 1-2 (0-2fs), Anna Healy, Laura (f) and Grace Cunningham 0-1 each.
SARSFIELDS: Aileen O’Loughlin; Julie Ann Bennett, Ciara Hughes, Ava Lawlor; Emer Conroy, Sarah Hibbits, Grainne Lalor; Rebecca Williams, Laura Marie Maher; Amy McCane, Amy Ring, Ellen Conroy; Aoibhe Foyle, Meaghan Dunne, Aerin Ryle.
Subs: Lily Conroy for Lalor (37m, inj), Orlaith McEvoy for Ryle (43m), Lucy Conroy for McCane (50m), Ellie O’Connell for Bennett (52m), LillyMae Conroy for Foyle (60m).
PARK/RATHENISKA: Eimear Brennan; Sophie Delahunt, Niamh Dunne, Poppy Duff; Aoidean Delaney, Saffron Adams, Aine Nolan; Keeva Fingleton, Anna Healy; Tara Byrne, Laura Crawford, Grace Cunningham; Clodagh Fingleton, Ellen O’Byrne, Adah Ramsbottom.
Subs: Mary O’Hara for Ramsbottom (26m), Mia Delaney for Healy (33m, inj), Rachel O’Connell for Duff (50m).
Referee: Eoghan O’Neill
