St.Rynagh's To Renew Rivalries with Gailltír After Capturing Fourth Leinster Title In Succession

Photo Credit: Dave Boylan

They play their old foes at the all-ireland semi-final stage in two weeks time.

St Rynaghs 6-8

Myshall 1-5

After a tough encounter last weekend against the formidable Barrow Rangers from Kilkenny, St Rynaghs were expecting another hard match on Saturday, against a team whom they have played twice previously in this competition, the last occasion only two months ago in the 2020 Championship. The Offaly Ladies came out on top on both occasions but only after close intense games. St Rynaghs went into the match bidding for four Leinster titles in a row, but there is little doubt that revenge would have been on the minds of Myshall supporters.

St Rynaghs were again starting without the experience of Mairead Daly who was unable to play due to injury with club faithful Louise Flannery taking her place at wing forward.

Within the first minute St Rynaghs worked a lovely passage of play between Meadbh Doorley, Helen Dolan and then Siobhan Flannery who passed the ball to Sinead Hanamy. Hanamy had Kate Kenny available on her left but she had the confidence to take the goal on herself and with a super strike fired the ball past Laura James in the Myshall goal. Myshall showed great spirit and reacted immediately with Breege Nolan burying the ball to the back of the Rynaghs goal.

Another goal opportunity came St Rynaghs way within seconds but a great reaction save James in the Myshall goals foiled Rynaghs on this occasion. Shortly after, in the 9th minute, they did take the lead with a free in front of goal by Siobhan Flannery. Flannery, who proved to be a real thorn in the side all day for the challengers, was on the scoreboard again, this time with a goal that somehow found its way past 4 defenders and Laura James in the goals. Kate Kenny then hit a great point from a tough angle after a neat sideline cut from Roisin Egan. Kenny added to her point within minutes when she hit a fantastic goal that Laura James had no chance to stop. Myshall continued to show their spirit and battled hard for every ball with some physical and committed tackling but still found themselves trailing 1-2 to 3-3 at the half time break.

The second half started just as the first half finished with St Rynaghs in control but having to compete with tough challenges of Myshall. After two more points from Kate Kenny and one from Myshall , St Rynaghs brought on Mairead Daly who seemed to inspire those around her and within in minutes she fed Kenny who spotted Sioban Flannery on her own and the Rynaghs number 15 didn’t miss the opportunity to rattle Myshall’s net again. Again, Myshall showed great spirit and attacked with Ellen Gilligan pulling off a great save to deflect a shot over the bar. Siobhan Flannery again was on the scoreboard with a goal from a free from distance that dropped into the square and ended up in the back of the net. More goal opportunities for Rynaghs followed with Linda Sullivan unlucky not to put her name on the scoreboard but in the end St Rynaghs were a class apart outscoring the challengers by 3-5 to 3 points in the second half.

Player of the match was presented to Kate Kenny by Leinster Chairperson Linda Kenny, although any one of the St Rynaghs players could easily have received this accolade, with excellent performances all over the pitch.

Next up, in two week's time, will be a battle Royale which will be a replay of the 2019 and 2020 All Ireland Finals with St Rynaghs facing Gailltir of Waterford.

St Rynaghs:

Ellen Gilligan, Sinead Moran, Elaine Sullivan, Meabh Doorley, Emma Corcoran, Grainne Dolan, Katie O’Connell, Helen Dolan, Roisin Egan, Linda Sullivan, Sinead Hanamy, Louise Flannery, Louise Mannion, Kate Kenny, Siobhan Flannery.

Subs:

Mairead Daly for Lousie Flannery, Amy Sullivan for Sinead Hanamy, Aofie O’Regan for Mairead Daly, Amy Sullivan for Linda Sullivan and Ciara O’Connell for Elaine Sullivan.

Scorers: St Rynaghs: Siobhan Flannery 3-5, Kate Kenny 2-3, Sinead Hanamy 1-0

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