O'Donovan Rossa fall just short in bid to reach All-Ireland final
Fionnuala O’Driscoll of O'Donovan Rossa in action against Rebecca Fahy of Annaghdown during the AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship semi-final. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
O’Donovan Rossa’s dreams of qualifying for a second consecutive AIB LGFA All-Ireland club final were dashed by Annaghdown in Galway.
Twelve months after capturing Cork, Munster and All-Ireland junior titles, O’Donovan Rossa will not repeat that amazing feat in the intermediate grade.
Despite claiming county and provincial trophies, Annaghdown proved a step too far.
The Galway and Connacht champions emerged narrow semi-final winners on their home pitch and progressed to an All-Ireland final against Carlow’s Bennekenny/Tinryland in Croke Park on December 14th.
In front of a huge attendance, Allie Tobin’s injury-time goal gave Rossa’s hope but eleven wides and the concession of a goal immediately after the restart proved pivotal.
Eight of Annaghdown’s 2016 All-Ireland IFC winning panel togged out and seven of those players started. A strong wind proved a factor and it was the hosts who benefitted first.
Jemma Burke edged Annaghdown ahead in the game’s opening attack. Forcing a couple of turnovers, Rossa’s settled but their opponents’ defence proved just as stubborn.
Heavy underfoot conditions meant scores were hard to come by even though Jemma Burke burst through only to be denied by goalkeeper Ella Hayes.
Éabha O’Donovan’s free levelled matters and there was nothing in it after 10 frantic minutes.
Chances kept coming as Annaghdown wasted two additional goal opportunities before Emma Keane kicked their second point on the quarter hour.
Six wides didn’t help O’Donovan Rossa’s cause and Annaghdown pounced with Riona Quinn extending their advantage. A converted Ciara Hegarty free made it 0-4 to 0-1 in the Galway club’s favour.
Fionnuala O’Driscoll responded with her team’s first score in 20 minutes and a rejuvenated Rossa’s changed ends only a point behind when Éabha O’Donovan.
This semi-final’s first goal was always going to be crucial and Annaghdown’s Bronagh Quinn netted it two minutes after the restart.
The hosts’ Eleanor Lynch produced an excellent save prior to Laura O’Mahony reducing the deficit. Annaghdown enjoyed a purple patch however, as Bronagh Quinn and Ciara McCarthy (two) efforts made it 1-7 to 0-4.
Éabha O’Donovan replied but the Connacht champions roared back with Ciara McCarthy immediately raising a white flag. Then, Bronagh Quinn took her personal tally to 1-2 as O’Donovan Rossa’s wide-count reached ten.
Rossa’s capitalised on two poor kickouts with Fionnuala O’Driscoll and Éabha O’Donovan (free) scoring.
Another O’Donovan free preceded late Ciara McCarthy, Ciara Hegarty and Jemma Burke points to make it 1-12 to 0-9.
Not even Allie Tobin’s injury-time goal could prevent Annaghdown from celebrating and beginning preparations for their upcoming Croke Park trip.
B Quinn 1-2, C Hegarty (0-2 f), C McCarthy 0-3 each, J Burke 0-2, E Keane, R Quinn 0-1 each.
É O’Donovan 0-5 (0-3 f), F O’Driscoll 0-3, A Tobin 1-0, L O’Mahony 0-1.
E Lynch; R Fahy, L Claffey, M Canavan; Chelsie Crowe, Chloe Crowe (c), B Quinn; S O’Grady, R Naughton; R Quinn, C Hegarty, J Burke; E Keane, C McCarthy, B Naughton.
C O’Neill for B Naughton (33), I Killilea for R Naughton (34), C Nally for E Keane (51), E Byrne for J Beechinor (52).
E Hayes; M Donnellan, A Whooley, A Tobin; F Leonard, S Hurley, L Harte; L O’Mahony (captain), T Murphy; J Beechinor, K O’Donovan, L Harte; É O’Donovan, F O’Driscoll, M O’Neill.
A O’Driscoll for M O’Neill (36), S Farrell for E McCarthy (41).
Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).
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