Belturbet/Redhills impress to claim league title

Belturbet/Redhills 4-19

Laragh0-07

A fantastic second half performance from Intermediate side Belturbet/Redhills helped them overcome Junior side Laragh under lights in Templeport. There were just six points between the sides after an evenly contested opening half, but three second half goal from Sarah Sheridan (2) and Muireann Donohoe helped their team to a comfortable win in the end.

Ellen Murphy opened the game’s scoring straight from the throw-in with Gemma Lawlor doubling her side’s lead moments later. Belturbet/Redhills continued their strong start with two more scores from Murphy, and a Gemma Beatty free.

Laragh opened their account in the 13th minute after a foul on Clodagh Keenaghan was converted by Meghan McKenna. Aimee Smith scored her first of the game with McKenna converting another free for Laragh.

A driving run from senior county player Niamh Keenaghan again resulted in a scoreable free for McKenna to reduce the deficit to three. However, Belturbet extended their lead further after excellent play from Smith and Murphy resulted in a goal for Murphy. Murphy finished an impressive half with another point. Arlene Brady’s point meanwhile her side’s first score from open play, leaving the half time score 1-07 to 0-04.

McKenna opened the sceond half with her fourth free. They had the chance to reduce the deficit further as Aislinn Keenaghan won the resultant kickout and played through captain Meghan Denning, but her shot at goal went narrowly wide.

The leaders scored the next four points with captains Sarah Sheridan and Louise Lawlor pointing along with Beatty and Gemma Lawlor. With 7 minutes played Olivia Murphy was shown a yellow card. Playing with a player advantage Laragh managed the next two scores from a McKenna free and an excellent left footed effort from Niamh Keenaghan, however this was her side’s last score of the tie.

Any sign of a comeback was put to bed as Sheridan struck the back of the net after substitute Muireann Donohoe played an excellent pass to the forward. Three converted frees from Beatty pushed her side into a 13-point lead midway through the half. Laragh goalkeeper Noelle Cooney made a fantastic save to deny Murphy her second goal of the game. Sheridan and Donohoe traded points before the youngster fired to the net for her side’s third goal of the half. Joint captain Sheridan finished strong with a further 1-02 as her side look ahead to Division 3 football in 2023.

Belturbet/Redhills: Sarah Murray, Maia Smith, Orlaith Smith, Claire Murphy, Greta Saulyte, Olivia Murphy, Aoibhinn Smith, Gemma Lawlor (0-02), Hannah Sheridan, Ellen Murphy (1-03), Aine Dennehy, Sarah Sheridan (2-05), Louise Lawlor (0-01), Aimee Smith (0-02), Gemma Beatty (0-05)

Subs: Muireann Donohoe (1-01)

Laragh: Noelle Cooney, Clare Brady, Alana Carolan, Alysia Carolan, Meghan Denning, Lorraine O’Rourke, Siobhan Cooney, Clodagh Keenaghan, Aoife Brady, Michelle O’Reilly, Meghan McKenna (0-05), Niamh Keenaghan (0-01), Jessica Smyth, Arlene Brady (0-01), Aislinn Keenaghan

Referee: John Emo