Stylish Aodh Ruadh clinch LGFA Intermediate title with win over Ardara

Ladies Intermediate Football Championship Final
2 October 2022
Aodh Ruadh 6-11
Ardara 1-6
Gerry McLaughlin reports from O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny.

A powerful, athletic Aodh Ruadh swept to their first Donegal LGFA Intermediate Championship title since 2010 against Ardara.

There was never any real doubt about the result of this one-sided encounter right from midfielder Caoimhe Keon's superb opening goal after just 48 seconds. The winners hit six goals and they hit four cast iron goal chances over the bar.

Centre and full-forwards Cait Gillespie and Terri Gallagher bagged two goals each with Keon and Eimear McMahon getting the other two in a most dominant display. Ardara, who fielded 12 minors, never gave up and ace corner forward Carol Breslin finished up with 1-6 but they had only two scores from play over the hour. And the potent winners were further boosted by the return of Irish international hurdler Lucy McGlynn who added even more power and pace to their side.

But they have the look of a side with the power, skill and steel to make a real impact in the senior ranks next year. The hot favourites had a whirlwind standard when athletic midfielder Caoimhe Keon powered through the Ardara defence and hit a smashing goal to give the south Donegal side the perfect start after just 48 seconds.

And they almost had a similar score 20 seconds later when centre forward Cait Gillespie was one on one with Ardara keeper Emily Whittington, but the latter pulled off a fine save for a 45.

Eimear McMahon increased their lead with a point and Gillespie made it 1-2 to 0-0 after just five minutes. Ardara managed to elude the high Aodh Ruadh press, and Carol Breslin opened their account with a converted free in the 9th minute.

At the other end Eimear McMahon finished a fine Ballyshannon move with a well struck point to leave Aodh Ruadh leading by 1-3 to 0-1 by the 15th minute. Breslin was again on target for Ardara before Aodh Ruadh got their second goal that was expertly finished by Gillespie to put Aodh Ruadh in front by 2-3 to 0-4.

But despite loads of possession, Aodh Ruadh missed four good chances of points and had two missed goal opportunities in the run up to the break. Lucy McGlynn got their sole point - a fine effort from the Irish International hurdler who made another great run but her shot for goal went wide.

Ardara were restricted to sporadic attacks and Breslin got their third point from Breslin as Aodh Ruadh led by 2-4 to 0-3 at the break.

Ardara had an early pointed free from Breslin but this was quickly countered by Aodh Ruadh when O'Loughlin set up Gallagher inside and she shot over when a goal looked on. Gillespie was through inside and hit over the bar and she also hit another point when a goal looked on in the third point.

Gillespie got the goal that had been coming for a long time to put Aodh Ruadh ahead by 3-7 to 0-4 after five minutes. It was all Aodh Ruadh, and Caitlin McGarrigle pointed for Aodh Ruadh.

Their non-stop pressure paid off with Gallagher and Gillespie notching two more goals. Eimear McMahon completed their goals tally with Breslin grabbing a late consolation goal for Ardara.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh Bridín Maguire; Grainne Maguire, Sara Gallagher, Hannah Doherty; Lucy McGlynn (0-1), Caitlin McGarrigle, Anna Rafferty; Orla Keon (0-1), Caoimhe Keon (1-0); Aoibhinn McGarrigle, Cait Gillespie (2-4), Cara O'Loughlin; Eimear McMahon (1-2) Terri Gallagher (2-2), Tara Khan. Subs: Erin O'Loughlin for Cara O'Loughlin (0-1) (43), Meabh McCloskey for Grainne Maguire (47), Siofra Hughes for Hannah Doherty (50), Mary Flora Scott for Aoibhinn McGarrigle (57)
Gaeil Fhánada Emily Whittington; Erin McConnell, Eimear Boyle, Grace Watters; Una McLaughlin, Aoife Watters, Holly Gallagher; Lara Sweeney; Caoimhe Earley; Jessica Gallagher (0-1,) Rianach Doherty, Carol Breslin (1-5, 5f), Annie O'Shea, Niamh Boyle. Subs: Ailbhe McCabe for Erin McConnell and Caitlin Sweeney for Holly Gallagher (39), Roisin Maguire for Eimear Boyle (43), Aimee Boyle for Rianach Doherty (52).
Referee: Greg McGroary (Four Masters)

Last modified: Monday, 16 January 2023 at 8:12pm