Match Report by Seanán Moley
Lissummon 1-11 Keady 1-4
It was Lissummon’s day in Páirc Naomh Olibhear Pluncéid in a stop-start game where Keady failed to ever really kick into gear. The first half was mainly one way traffic.
Lissummon dominated the Keady kickout, which helped them to pen the Dwyers deep in their own half for large periods. Catherine Marley was the key for the team in yellow, repeatedly receiving the ball on the half turn, beating multiple defenders and creating shooting chances for herself and others.
By the end of the half Marley had five points, four being from play. Keady’s game plan seemed clear, sit deep, soak up pressure, and seek the runs of Ella Toal on the counter. This would bear fruit around the 10 minute mark when Maggie Callaghan hit the back of the net for her teams first score.
Brief lead
Toal received a long ball up the right wing, beat the defender and floated a long ball in on top of Zara Magill in the Lissummon goal. Callaghan got the decisive touch and put Keady ahead, the only time they would lead in the match.
In the Newry sides midfield, Niamh Marley and Sarah Mardley took a physical hold. Both shaking off defenders with ease as they carried forward. The referee on multiple occasions had words with Marley about her willingness to fly into contact. No card was shown – to the audible dismay of the Keady support.
The second half proved to be something of a slog. Keady piled pressure on but technical errors held back any thoughts of a comeback. Toal notched three 2nd half points to keep them within reach, but it wasn’t enough.
The killer blow came from Mardley. She received the ball after a shot dropped short and proceeded to lash it home. That pushed the gap to seven, which is how the game would end.