Three-goal blitz powers St Conleth's to Laois senior glory
St Conleth's celebrate their win over St Joseph's in the LOETB LGFA Senior Championship final at Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday Photo: Paul Dargan
ST Conleth's were crowned LOETB Laois LGFA Senior Championship winners after producing a superb display to defeat St Joseph's by 12 points in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday evening.
Three first-half goals effectively settled the contest as St Conleth's delivered a clinical attacking performance, building a commanding lead that St Joseph's never looked capable of bridging.
The victory secures a second county title in three seasons for the champions and further cements their position as the leading force in Laois ladies football. Having already claimed league honours earlier in the year, they completed an impressive double in the process.
From the opening whistle, St Conleth's set a relentless tempo and dominated across the pitch. Their intensity, movement and accuracy in front of goal left St Joseph's struggling to gain a foothold in the contest.
A devastating spell during the opening half saw St Conleth's find the net three times inside 25 minutes, creating a cushion that allowed them to dictate proceedings. Strong in defence and efficient in attack, they controlled the game throughout and never looked in danger of relinquishing their advantage.
By the final whistle, St Conleth's had fully justified their status as favourites, producing a performance befitting champions as they added the county championship crown to their league success and continued their rise as the dominant team in Laois LGFA.
Aoibhe Byron got off the mark with a free while Niamh O'Halloran got the second point, Byron added another free as St Conleth's were in control early on.
T
he first goal for St Conleth's soon arrived with a clinical finish from half back Aoife Cummins as St Conleth's were playing with confidence and winning all the individual battles.
Emma Lawlor added another point for St Conleth's, before disaster struck again for St Joseph's as their defence were broken down for two more goals.
First Niamh O'Halloran found the net to give St Joseph's a mountain to climb in this final and it was to get worse for the Kellyville outfit.
Shifra Havill found the net for a third goal for St Conleth's as they were so clinical in front of goal.
St Joseph's would finally get on the scoreboard in the 28th minute through Emily Lacey which was the last score of the half as St Conleth's were cruising at half time 3-4 to 0-1.
Jane Moore got the scoring in the second half, but Aoibhe Byron replied straight away for St Conleth's.
St Joseph's then were given a lifeline with a goal from Grainne Brennan after a long free from Emily Lacey was flicked in by Brennan.
The hope was short lived as Claire Fox replied with a similar goal up the other end as St Conleth's remained in control.
Lacey would add a brace for St Joseph's as they tried to put a gloss on the score line, but all the intensity was gone out of the game as St Conleth's were at their ease at this stage.
It would then take another 12 minutes for the next score of the game, as St Conleth's owned the ball for the last quarter.
Eva Galvin who put in a massive shift got on the score sheet with a fine effort as the Conleth's were closing in on victory.
Captain Marie Byrne then would get her first of the night with a brilliant point, as St Conleth's were heading towards the finish line.
Emma Lawlor would get the last score of the contest as St Conleth's secured their second title in three years.
St Conleth's: Niamh O'Halloran 1-1, Aoibhe Byron 0-3, Emma Lawlor 0-2, Aoife Cummins, Marie Byrne, Claire Fox and Shifra Havill 1-0 each, Eva Galvin 0-1.
St Joseph's: Emily Lacey 0-4 (0-3fs), Grainne Brennan 1-0, Jane Moore 0-1.
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, Aoibhe Byron, Eva Galvin.
Subs: Laura Carroll for Havill (48m), Roisin McCourt for Fenlon (54m), Nicole Byrne for O'Halloran (54m), Ruby Phelan for Byron (54m), Kim Webster for Haberlin (54m).
Ava Shanahan; Sinead Farrelly, Emma O'Flaherty, Shannon Maguire; Lilly Brophy, Lorna Butler, Lauren Rowan; Anna Moore, Jane Moore; Abbie Delaney, Emily Lacey, Annie Smith; Niamh Crosby, Grainne Brennan, Martina Dunne.
Subs: Emily Moore for Smith (ht), Grace Moore for Dunne (42m), Aisling Crosby for Maguire (52m).
Kevin Phelan (St Brigid's)
