‘More effort sees Moy Davitts book senior return
Aghamore’s Laoise Greally shoots for the posts under pressure from the Moy Davitts defence. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but it is the perfect number for the Moy Davitts ladies after an excellent all-round display saw them defeat Aghamore last Sunday afternoon in Castlebar to be crowned Mayo ladies intermediate football champions.
Not only was that tally enough on the scoreboard to see off a stubborn Aghamore side, whom they were beaten by when these two met in the group stages, but it is 13 years since they last tasted intermediate success, having previously lost the 2023 decider.
Kasey Ruane, Orla McHale and Natasha Gaughan did much of the damage in front of the posts, but goalkeeper Emma Galligan was deservedly crowned player of the match with a number of crucial saves to keep Aghamore at bay.
Paying tribute to their beaten opponents, Moy Davitts manager Colm Carney said: “I just really commend Aghamore for the trojan battle that we encountered here today. We had played them earlier in the year, they beat us on that occasion in the group stages, we knew we were coming into a battle.
“As our captain Sandra [Hall] said there, those girls should be incredibly proud. They came up from junior only two years ago. They have, I suppose, pushed on over that period of time and to be in a county final, it’s something for them to be incredibly proud of.”
On his own team’s performance, Colm Carney offered: “I think today for me what worked, or what I suppose won us this game, was work-rate. All over the pitch, there was work-rate from the youngest to the oldest player. All sixteen that played on the pitch today really got us over the line and secured this county title.”
It was a slow start for both teams in front of the posts, with the sides locked at 0-2 apiece at the end of the first quarter. Orla McHale put Moy Davitts in front with the opening score, Emily Duffy then nudged Aghamore ahead with a pair of well-taken efforts before Sarah Carney levelled matters again on 14 minutes.
The game then sprung to life in the second quarter. Kasey Ruane was unfortunate not to have found the net when Cassie Niland kept out Sarah Carney’s point attempt, which bounced off Ruane and then off the upright. But when Kate Byrne then put Moy Davitts back in front, Ruane netted her first major of the day with a thunderous shot into the top corner on 20 minutes.
A Natasha Gaughan free extended Moy Davitts’ lead before Emily Duffy rifled home a goal on 24 minutes for Aghamore. Louise Cassidy’s free from outside the arc fell kindly to Siobhan Mooney, who offloaded to Duffy to finish. But Moy Davitts would hit back with their second goal almost instantly when Ruane’s deflected shot gave Niland no chance, making it 2-4 to 1-2 at the break.
Aghamore started the second-half brightly, with points from Niamh Mooney and Aoife Lilly, but the wides were also racking up for them, while Moy Davitts goalkeeper Emma Galligan did well to deny Rachel Lyons after her shot took an awkward bounce on the way. At the other end, Kasey Ruane was denied a third goal thanks to a superb stop by Cassie Niland.
Moy Davitts got their first score of the second-half on 43 minutes through Gaughan. Emily Duffy and Tracey Hall soon exchanged points before Emma Galligan pulled off a remarkable double save, denying Saoirse Delaney and Niamh Mooney.
Mooney did pull the game back to three, but Orla McHale finished the game as she started it with a point to secure the intermediate title and a return to senior football in what has been an emotional year for Moy Davitts, following the passing of Sandra and Tracey Hall’s mother Josephine earlier this year, who gave great dedication to the club in a variety of roles.
“Josephine Hall was involved in our club both at executive level, within the dressing room as FLO (Female Liaison Officer) and in so many other ways that people never even seen. And for Sandra to go up today as captain and to even be able to talk about it, like fair play to Sandra, it was brilliant,” said Colm Carney, who will now prepare his side for the upcoming provincial championship. Tuam/Cortoon (Galway) or Kiltubrid (Leitrim) will face Moy Davitts in the Connacht semi-final in two weeks’ time in Foxford.
Scorers – Moy Davitts: Kasey Ruane 2-0-0, Orla McHale and Natasha Gaughan (1f) 0-0-2 each, Sarah Carney, Kate Byrne and Tracey Hall 0-0-1 each.
Aghamore: Emily Duffy 1-0-3, Niamh Mooney 0-0-2, Aoife Lilly 0-0-1f.
Moy Davitts: Emma Galligan; Steph Loughney, Beth Roche, Rebecca Conlon; Erin Dootson, Ava McGahon, Avadh Gaughan; Tracey Hall, Sarah Carney; Daine Towey, Kate Byrne, Orla McHale; Sandra Hall, Natasha Gaughan, Kasey Ruane. Sub: Rhea Gostick (for Roche 48).
Aghamore: Cassie Niland; Ciara Delaney, Ella Mulkeen, Aoife Doherty; Caoimhe Delaney, Rachel Lyons, Niamh Duffy; Mairead Mooney, Meabh Delaney; Niamh Mooney, Siobhan Mooney, Fiona Duffy; Louise Cassidy, Aoife Lilly, Emily Duffy. Subs: Laoise Greally (for N Duffy 35), Saoirse Delaney (for N Mooney 40), N Mooney (for Lilly 47).
REF: Rory Courell (Islandeady)
