NY GAA - Na Fianna’s First Win

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Irish Voice Sport

NY GAA - Na Fianna’s First Win

May 8, 2008

By Eugene Kyne

Na Fianna 1-11 Fermanagh 1-6

THE first outing of the year for the New York ladies board, it was preceded last weekend by a coaching clinic and a referee’s seminar at Manhattan College. When the participants in those courses finally came across to Gaelic Park they were treated to an outstanding game of football from the ladies with Na Fianna and Fermanagh.

The first half was certainly the Mary O’Rourke show as she put 1-6 on the board for her side. She was a constant thorn in the Fermanagh side, and if she had not been marked as tightly as Ann Marie Kelly was the damage would have been much more.

Susie O’Connor at the other end was the main treat, and her meandering solo runs constantly brought her within shooting range. Fantastic play by Jennine Henshaw in the Fianna goal kept the forward line at bay, and her kick outs were finding her backline.

A tremendous start to the second half when Fermanagh had a goal from Caitlin McGarvey within the first two minutes had the deficit at a goal, but three points from Molly O’Rourke, the full forward, Mary O’Rourke the sub, and Ellen McGrail again pushed it out to six.

Three consecutive scores from O’Connor for Fermanagh again made it interesting, but Na Fianna had the last hurrah as the game went in scoring waves. Molly O’Rourke and sub Ger Lavery completed the scoring for the win.

A brilliant display by the former New York player of the year O’Rourke. Jessie Garcia was outstanding at the back, Joanne Monaghan, Ellen McGrail, Stephanie Tierney who is still only 15, all had good contributions. For Ollie Flynn and Tony McTigue to introduce two subs that both chipped in with points tells the strength of the bench.

Fermanagh will be disappointed with the loss but they had a huge part of the contest. Ann Marie Kelly played very well on a brilliant player. Claire McElroy, Tracy Ann McCullough, Susie O’Connor, who is an extremely exciting player with a brilliant and deceptive sidestep, and Caitlin McGarvey all played well in the losing cause.

Fermanagh: 1 Joann Fleash, 2 Shannon Gibney, 3 Ann Marie Kelly, 4 Noelenn Fitzpatrick, 5 Donna Quinn, 6 Claire McElroy, 7 Caitlin Slattery, 8 Christina Coyle, 9 Tracy Ann McCullough, 10 Susie O’Connor (0-5), 11 Aisling Boyle, 12 Caitlin McGarvey (1-0), 13 Nicola King (0-1), 14 Marie Dunleavy, 15 Molly Boyle.

Na Fianna: 1 Jennine Henshaw, 2 Aisling Brophy, 3 Jessie Garcia, 4 Grace McCafferty, 5 Karen Henry, 6 Joanne Monaghan, 7 Mags Ryan, 8 Ellen McGrail (0-1), 9 Chrissie McSweeney, 10 Ann Ryan, 11 Lauren Kelly, 12 Stephanie Tierney, 13 Ger Ruane, 14 Molly O’Rourke (1-8), 15 Imelda Mullarkey. Subs: Ger Lavery (0-1), Mary O’Rourke (0-1).

Referee: Eugene Kyne (Astoria Gaels).

Player of the game: Mary O’Rourke (Na Fianna).

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