Thursday evening was a perfect evening for a game. Na Fianna have provided stiff opposition at this level in recent years, and a tough game was anticipated.
Boden started brightly, with Darina Ryan popping over 2 points in the opening minutes. However she had to depart shortly after with a shoulder injury. Claire Kirwan then finished an opportunist goal from close range.
Cora was her assured self in goal on her most welcome return to the team.
We were on top in all parts of the pitch, the only disappointing element was that we didn’t show our superiority on the scoreboard. Claire goaled again before half time and Emer O’ Leary picked off a nice point from a good Ciara Scallan pass to give us a decent cushion.
The second half followed the same path as the opening period, with the home side on top. Na Fianna did goal midway through the half, but Claire was once again the beneficiary of some good play to complete her hat-trick. Emer was accurate from placed balls also.
While we are pleased with the result, we will need to be more clinical in front of goal when we travel to the unbeaten Crokes in the final League game this coming Thursday. Crokes have easily swept aside all opposition, so we look forward to the challenge.
Team: Cora Ryan, Sarah Lambert, Grace Walsh, Roisin Walsh, Eve O’ Donoghue, Amy Holmes, Laura Murphy, Jane Nolan, Laura Burns, Ciara Scallan, Darina Ryan, Aoife O’ Brien, Eimear Butler, Emer O’ Leary, Claire Kirwan, Grainne Corcoran, Danielle Aylmer