Dunne hat-trick not enough as Sarsfields reach semi finals

Sarsfields 5-14 St Conleth’s 3-9
Laois Ladies Senior Football Championship Round 3 

Sarsfields are into the semi finals of the Ladies senior football championship following a 11 point win over St Conleth’s in Courtwood tonight.

The Mountmellick based outfit led by ten points at half time only for St Conleth’s forward Laura Dunne to net a sensational eight minute hat-trick at the start of the second half.

They kicked a couple of points too to take the lead but St Conleth’s would fail to score in the final 17 minutes as Sarsfields recovered to win well.

It leaves St Conleth’s in a three way shoot-out with St Brigid’s and Timahoe for the remaining two semi final places.

A win over Timahoe in their final game will see them through but if they lose and St Brigid’s defeat Portlaoise, they could miss out.

Sarsfields began the stronger team in the first quarter and they wasted no time in getting their first goal of the game.

Joyce Dunne ran through the heart of St Conleth’s defence and passed the ball to Grainne Lawlor. Dunne continued her run into the area and Lawlor laid the ball off to her which resulted in a goal.

St Conleth’s replied quickly with a point through Claire Fox. However, St Conleth’s would have to wait until the twenty minute mark until they would score again.

During this spell, Sarfields began to dominate all over the field. Points from Clare Conlon, Lorna O’Sullivan and Aisling Bohan extended their lead while Dunne added another goal to her tally. As we approached the water break Sarsfields had racked up a ten point lead – 2-5 to 0-1.

St Conleth’s reduced the deficit slightly with a brace from Aoife Kirrane. But Sarsfields soon replied with another goal from Laura Marie Maher.

Clare Conlon split the defence with a glorious kick pass to find the on rushing Maher on the edge of the box. Maher made no mistake and smashed the ball home.

However, St Conleth’s finished the stronger of the sides as points from Alanah Havill, Aine Haberlin and Kirrane kept their hopes alive at the interval. Sarsfields remained ten points ahead at halftime – 3-7 to 0-6.

Laura Dunne was introduced at halftime as she replaced Niamh Cullen at full forward. Dunne made a remarkable impact from the bench as she scored a hat-trick in eight minutes to see her side go ahead for the first time in the match.

Dunne’s first goal came in the opening minutes of the half as she won the ball in front of her marker and drove towards goal. Sarsfields were unable to stop Dunne’s direct running and she blasted the ball into the corner of the net.

Two minutes later Dunne added her second as she ran at the heart of the Sarsfields defence and was surrounded by multiple defenders. She decided to have a shot at goal from just inside the fourteen metre line and found the corner of the net.

Conleth’s continued to dominate as points from Kirrane and Sinead Cullen left just three points separating the sides. And soon after Dunne stepped up to complete her hat-trick and while Shifra Havill pointed from close range to put St Conleth’s ahead for the first time in the game.

But just as St Conleth’s looked to have complete control of the game Sarsfields went straight down the field and scored a goal of their own through Lorna O’ Sullivan to put them back ahead.

Sarsfields continued to dominate for the remainder of the game with a brace from Conlon and points from Lawlor and Maher extended their lead.

Maher then added another goal goal to her tally as she helped to regain Sarsfields’ comprehensive lead over their rivals and secure a spot in the last four.

SCORERS – Sarsfields: Laura Marie Maher 2-1, Joyce Dunne 2-0, Lorna O’ Sullivan 1-2, Clare Conlon 0-6 (three free), Grainne Lawlor 0-2, Alison McEvoy, Lauren Kearney, Aisling Bohan 0-1 each, St Conleth’s: Laura Dunne 3-0, Aoife Kiranne 0-4 (two frees), Claire Fox, Alanah Havill, Aine Haberin, Sinead Cullen, Shiofra Haberin 0-1 each.

ST CONLETH’S: Rachel Gorman, Nicole Byrne, Naomi Luttrell, Tinashe Champlanya; Mary Cotter, Aimee Kelly, Aoife Kirrane; Fiona Dempsey, Aine Haberlin; Marie Byrne, Eva Galvin, Claire Fox; Shifra Havill, Niamh Cullen, Alanah Havill. Subs: Laura Dunne for Cullen (HT), Sinead Cullen for Havill (35), Sarah Walsh for Dempsey (39).

SARSFIELDS: Becky Williams, Ciara Hughes, Emma McEvoy, Ava Lawlor; Rachal Williams, Amy Loughman, Caoimhe Callaly; Joyce Dunne, Alison McEvoy; Rose Marie Bermingham, Clare Conlon, Aisling Bohan; Grainne Lawlor, Lorna O’Sullivan, Laura Marie Maher. Subs: Jenny McEvoy for Loughman (41), Mags McEvoy for Bermingham (41), Leah Tarpey for Callaly (56), Lauren Kearney for Dunne (56)

RESULTS 

Laois Shopping Centre Junior B Football Championship Group A Round 2
Rosenallis 1-4 Graiguecullen 2-9

Laois Shopping Centre Junior B Football Championship Group B Round 2
Emo 6-12 The Rock 3-3
Timahoe 0-5 Stradbally 4-10

Laois Shopping Centre Junior B Football Championship Group C Round 2
Slieve Bloom 1-5 Arles/Killeen 0-7

Midlands Park Hotel U15 Hurling Championship Group A Round 2
Rathdowney Errill 1-10 The Harps 5-11
Portlaoise 1-10 Borris In Ossory/Kilcotton 8-18

Midlands Park Hotel U15 Hurling Championship Group B Round 2
Camross 2-20 Abbeyleix St Lazarians 1-5
Clough-Ballacolla 4-20 Castletown 2-3

Midlands Park Hotel U15 “B” Hurling Competition Group A Round 2
St Fintan’s Mountrath 1-14 Ballinakill Ballypickas 2-6

Midlands Park Hotel U15 “B” Hurling Competition Group B Round 2
Na Fianna V Raheen Parish Gaels

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/09/02/dunne-hat-trick-not-enough-as-sarsfields-reach-semi-finals/