Last-gasp McCaffrey point ends group campaign with a win

Ladies NFL Division 3 round 7

Cavan 0-10

Limerick 0-9

Aideen Coyle at Kilnaleck

Having gained promotion to division two with a game to spare Emmet Daly and his management team named nine changes to the team that defeated Laois the week prior. Dr Plunkett Park was the venue for the meeting between the table toppers and Limerick who were safe from relegation entering the final round game after a mixed run of form in their campaign to date which saw them record two wins, three losses and one draw.

The visitors refused to go quietly and with the game in injury time on Sunday looked to have salvaged a draw from a game which seen the visitors dominate the scoring opportunities. However, a superb point from the heroine of the hour Deirbhile McCaffrey snatched a win for Cavan with the final kick of the game.

The visitors opened the scoring through captain Roisin Ambrose seconds into the tie before Cavan made a direct reply with Rebecca McLoughlin levelling the sides for the first of four times. In a fast-paced end to end opening Limerick had a goal chance brilliantly denied by Evelyn Baugh whilst two minutes later Sophie Hennessy denied Niamh Keenaghan a goal with a fine save from close range.

Two excellent points from Niamh Keenaghan and Ellyanna Madden left Cavan two ahead but only momentarily as Limerick replied with two of their own on the bounce. Deborah Murphy fisted over from close range followed by an equalizing point from Andrea O’Sullivan midway through the half.

Cavan however finished out the half strong with four points on the bounce to take a three-point lead at the break as Wexford failed to convert their chances registering eight missed chances across the first half. The hardworking Annie Deneher fisted over a point to leave the minimum between the teams before Butlersbridge clubwoman McCorry pointed an excellent score from an acute angle.

At the other end shot stopper, Baugh, was once again called into action to retain her side’s lead. The Lurgan woman got down low to deny a goal bound shot from the lively Murphy. Fouls on Keri McCormack and Sinead Greene led to pointed frees from McLoughlin and McCorry respectively opening up a four-point gap. The final score of the half went to Murphy to leave the hosts ahead 0-07 0-04 at half time.

The Breffni women struggled to find their rhythm in the second half and as a result took 24 minutes to add a further score to the board. In this time Limerick deservedly brought the sides level with a hattrick of points and in truth should have been ahead but for some more wayward shooting.

Caoimhe McGrath opened their scoring in the 10th minute after failing to convert their opening three scoring opportunities. A point for Caoimhe MacNamara and another from the excellent Murphy left the sides back on par with 21 minutes on the clock in the second half. Daly made nine changes in the second half and it was the fresh legs that combined for the opening score of the half.

A strong run from Sinead Greene and combination between Catherine Dolan and Deirbhile McCaffrey led to a free which Aishling Sheridan converted. Two minutes later McCaffrey pointed to stretch their lead back to two points.

However, once again the visitors showed their character and replied with two in quick succession as the tie looked destined to end a stalemate. Karen O’Leary was fouled in attack leading to a scoreable free from Murphy. With the game in injury time O’Leary levelled the sides for the fourth and final time.

However, as Cavan done consistently across the hour, they won their resulting kickout and within seconds the ball was worked to McCaffrey who pointed the score of the game with the final kick of the game to seal a victory for Cavan in the final game of the league.

Cavan now look ahead to the LIDL Ladies NFL Division 3 final on April 13 in Parnell Park where they will face Wexford in the decider with both sides already guaranteed promotion to division 2.

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh, Lucy Crowe, Zara Fay, Hannah Fitzsimons, Sinead Greene, Shauna Lynch, Hannah Gilsenan, Micaela Fitzpatrick, Ellyanna Madden 0-01, Deirbhile Lynch, Keri McCormack, Annie Deneher 0-01, Niamh McCorry 0-02 (1f), Niamh Keenaghan 0-01, Rebecca McLoughlin 0-02 (1f)

Subs used: Sophie Daly for Z. Fay, Sinead Kelly for H. Fitzsimons, Aishling Sheridan 0-01 (1f) for a. Deneher, Catherine Dolan for E. Madden, Mona Sheridan for N. McCorry, Deirbhile McCaffrey 0-02 for N. Keenaghan, Caoimhe Madden for M. Fitzpatrick, Shanise Fitzsimons for H. Gilsenan, Lucy Jayne Grant for R. McLoughlin, Alex Peters for L. Crowe

Limerick: Sophie Hennessy, Ciara Hynes, Yvonne Lee, Joanne McGuire, Meadhbh MacNamara, Cathy Mee, Grace Lee, Ellie Woulfe, Eadaoin Crowe, Roisin Ambrose 0-01, Deborah Murphy 0-04 (2f), Karen O’Leary 0-01, Georgia Keane, Rebecca Delee, Andrea O’Sullivan 0-01

Subs used: Caoimhe McGrath 0-01 for R. Delee, Caoimhe MacNamara 0-01 for G. Keane, Sarah Dillon for E. Woulfe, Chloe Collum for S. Hennessy

Ref: Anthony Campbell