Park/Ratheniska pull clear late to seal senior survival
Referee, Kevin Phelan with the two captains Mary Ann O'Neil (Graiguecullen) and Niamh Dunne (Park/Ratheniska) prior to throw in for the LGFA relegation play off on Saturday
PARK/Ratheniska have secured their senior status for 2027 after digging deep to overcome Graiguecullen by three points in a tense relegation play-off in Annanough on Saturday evening.
With little to separate the sides for much of the contest, it was a crucial Grace Cunningham goal midway through the second half that ultimately swung the game in Park/Ratheniska's favour.
As for Graiguecullen they pushed Park-Rath all the way, but they will have to drop back to Intermediate next year, after their first ever year at senior level and they will take encouragement on their performances throughout the campaign.
It was a low scoring contest as both teams went very defensive making it hard to create scoring chances, but Park/Ratheniska won't care as they got the job done in the end.
Both teams traded points to start the game off with Caoimhe Fitzpatrick giving Graiguecullen the early lead but was soon to be cancelled out by Grace Cunnigham.
Mia Branagan hit two frees in a row as Graiguecullen had the upper hand in the early stages of the game.
The first goal of the game came through Laura Crawford for Park/Ratheniska with a brilliant finish as the lead swapped hands after 15 minutes.
Branagan and Ellen O'Byrne traded free as there was very little between the sides in the first half.
Graiguecullen finished the half the stronger with Mia Branagan hitting over a brace of frees as she punished every free that went her way. Graigue led at the break 0-6 to 1-2.
Mia Branagan extended the Graiguecullen lead just after half time, while Ellen O'Byrne responded with a free for Park/Ratheniska.
Park/Ratheniska coughed up another close in free to leave Branagan with the easy task of slotting it over as Graiguecullen always had a response to the victors.
Grace Cunnigham then hit a crucial blow in the 44th minute as she ran through the Graiguecullen defence and buried her shot into the back of the net to give her side the lead.
Caoimhe Fitzpatrick levelled matters once more with ten minutes left on the clock, it was to be their last score crucially.
Park/Ratheniska found another gear to kick over the last three points through Laura Crawford and two more frees from Ellen O'Byrne to guarantee their safety for 2027.
Park/Ratheniska: Grace Cunnigham and Laura Crawford 1-1 each, Ellen O'Byrne 0-4 (fs).
Graiguecullen: Mia Branagan 0-7 (0-5fs), Caoimhe Fitzpatrick 0-2.
Eimear Brennan; Clodagh Fingleton, Niamh Dunne, Saffron Adams; Aoidean Delaney, Aine Nolan, Sophie Delahunt; Keeva Fingleton, Poppy Duff; Grace Cunnigham, Laura O'Connell, Anna Healy; Tara Byrne, Ellen O'Byrne, Mary O'Hara.
Subs: Adah Ramsbottom for Delahunt (40m), Mia Delaney for Byrne (47m).
Mary Ann O'Neil; Isabelle Humphries, Jade Nolan, Sara Kerfah; Sally Almond, Georgina Donovan, Hannah Kerfah; Caoimhe Fitzpatrick, Jasmine Kinsella; Nicole Osbourne, Ella Byrne, Shauna Howe; Lauren Walsh, Mia Branagan, Kathlyn Timmons.
: Kevin Phelan
