Ruthless first-half St Conleth's storm into semi-final
Marie Byrne (St Conleth's) braces herself as Portlaoise's Molly McNulty moves in to challenge in the LGFA SC quarter-final Photo: David Maher
St Conleth's 4-7
ST Conleth's secured their place in the LOETB Ladies Senior Football Championship semi-final after a clinical first-half display laid the foundations for a deserved six-point victory over Portlaoise in O'Dempsey's on Friday evening.
In atrocious weather conditions, with a strong wind and a testing uphill slope influencing proceedings, St Conleth's produced a devastating spell of attacking football to strike four first-half goals and ultimately prove too strong for their opponents.
Portlaoise made the brighter start and looked set to capitalise on the favourable conditions. Lara Culleton, Alison Taylor and Leah Brophy were all on target as they raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead, moving the ball well and dominating possession in the opening exchanges.
However, St Conleth's gradually found their rhythm and turned the contest on its head with a remarkable burst of scoring. Shifra Havill opened the goal rush when she broke through the defence and fired to the net, before Marie Byrne followed up with a second major to wipe out Portlaoise's early advantage.
As confidence grew, Eva Galvin added a point before Claire Fox finished another flowing move to the net, leaving St Conleth's firmly in control. Worse was to follow for Portlaoise when Aoife Cummins rounded off another impressive team attack with their fourth goal of the half.
St Conleth's were particularly impressive in how they adapted to the difficult conditions. Their direct running and willingness to support each other in attack repeatedly opened gaps in the Portlaoise defence, while their work rate all over the field ensured they won crucial breaking ball.
Havill added a point as St Conleth's continued to dominate, but Portlaoise responded well before the interval. Ciara Crowley pointed before Grainne Moran found the net to offer her side a lifeline. Nevertheless, late scores from Niamh O'Halloran and Aoibhe Byron ensured St Conleth's carried a commanding 4-4 to 1-5 advantage into the break.
Knowing goals were essential if they were to mount a comeback, Portlaoise battled bravely after the restart. Byron extended the lead with two early points, but Portlaoise refused to surrender and gradually took control of possession.
Moran converted three frees in succession and substitute Aisling Kehoe also split the posts as the gap began to narrow. The Town side showed great determination throughout the second half, pressing high up the field and committing numbers forward in search of the goals needed to get back on level terms.
Yet despite sustained pressure, Portlaoise could not find the breakthrough they desperately required. St Conleth's goalkeeper Claire O'Connell produced a number of crucial saves, while a determined defence led by Melissa Donnelly and Grainne Cotter stood firm under repeated attacks.
Byron settled St Conleth's nerves with another point as the game entered its closing stages. Leah Loughman registered the final score for Portlaoise, but it arrived too late to alter the outcome as St Conleth's held on comfortably to book their semi-final berth.
Having overcome the elements and a determined second-half challenge from Portlaoise, St Conleth's will take plenty of confidence into the last four, particularly after a first-half performance that showed both efficiency in front of goal and resilience in difficult conditions.
St Conleth's: Aoibhe Byron 0-4 (0-4fs), Shifra Havill 1-1, Marie Byrne, Claire Fox and Aoife Cummins 1-0 each, Niamh O'Halloran and Eva Galvin 0-1 each.
Portlaoise: Grainne Moran 1-3 (0-3fs), Lara Culleton 0-2, Alison Taylor, Leah Brophy, Ciara Crowley, Aisling Kehoe and Leah Loughman 0-1 each.
Claire O'Connell; Becky Fenlon, Melissa Donnelly, Grainne Cotter; Aine Haberlin, Mary Cotter, Aoife Cummins; Claire Fox, Shifra Havill; Marie Byrne, Emma Lawlor, Naomi Luttrell; Niamh O'Halloran, Eva Galvin.
Subs: Laura Carroll for Luttrell, Kim Webster for Byron.
Keeva O'Reilly; Ciara Byrne, Deirdre Phelan, Sarah McDonald; Rachel Byrne, Aishling Saunders, Rebecca Reddin; Fiona Dooley, Faye Brown; Molly McNulty, Ciara Crowley, Lara Culleton; Leah Brophy, Grainne Moran, Alison Taylor.
Subs: Aisling Kehoe for Brophy, Leah Loughman for Kehoe.
Kevin Phelan.
