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Point girls thunder past St Mary's
14.07.11
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Quigley’s Point...5 (Curtis 2, Donaghey 2, Quigley) St. Mary’s...3 (Roddy, C. Kearney, T. Doherty) Caoimhinn Barr reports from Muff (Photo: Herbie Barr) TWO late, late strikes from Denise Donaghey eventually helped the Quigley’s Point girls to thunder past the challenge of St. Mary’s in the driving summer rain at Muff last Thursday night. Twice ahead by two clear goals, courtesy of a Celine Curtis brace and a Louise Quigley effort, the Swifts were pegged back following second-half strikes by Kate Roddy, Colleen Kearney and Treasa Doherty. With Celine Curtis in devastating form in attack and Claire Kelly dangerous on the right, the home team threatened to run riot, launching scores of dangerous attacks but their persistent Clonmany foes stuck to the task. And with blonde playmaker Colleen Kearney a constant threat, St. Mary’s took full advantage of Muff’s profligacy in front of goal and came within minutes of hard-earned point before Donaghey struck. Roared on by a few dozen die-hard home supporters - some holding umbrellas with others sheltering under trees – Quigley’s Point, dominant for long periods, deserved their victory. |
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Marshalled excellently at
the back by the likes of Fiona Grant and Maria McColgan,
the Foyleside girls will have been disappointed to
concede three second-half goals when they looked to be
coasting towards victory while St. Mary’s were
despondent to leave with nothing after hauling
themselves back into a tricky test. The game’s initial attack saw Angela McCallion’s threatening cross from the right well cut out by St. Mary’s defender Sheena Keareney. The first of a series of long range Colleen Kearney efforts then stung the palm of Quigley’s Point keeper Maria McColgan before home defender Fiona Grant cleared the danger. Controlling Treasa Doherty’s clever flick, Kate Roddy was a stinging shot blocked before, at the other end, St. Mary’s keeper Biddy Doherty was quickly out to deny Angela McCallion following great work by Swifts striker Celine Curtis. Classy Curtis then almost sent Claire Kelly through on goal before two Colleen Kearney attempts from distance almost edged the Clonmany girls ahead. A first shot from 35 yards was saved well by Maria McColgan before a second, moments later, from the half-way line, bounced inches over the Point crossbar. |
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In a pulsating period, the
home girls were back on the front foot again with Ann
Marie McIntyre heading Celine Curtis’ corner narrowly
wide of the target. Just after the half hour mark the Point girls hit the front when Curtis brilliantly controlled Emma Harkin’s ball over the top before coolly firing the ball into the net with a stunning half-volley past Biddy Doherty. Keeping the pressure on, the Muff girls almost added to their tally but Claire Kelly drilled wide after collecting Ann Marie McIntyre’s pass on the right. Running onto Angela McCallion’s through ball, Celine Curtis’ drive was blocked before Point keeper Maria McColgan was rapidly out to deny St. Mary’s striker Treasa Doherty at the other end of the pitch. Stamping their authority on the game just before half-time, the Point doubled their advantage courtesy of Celine Curtis’ clipped free-kick goal from the edge of the box. The second-half began with Curtis in the groove again; the skilful front player beating two defenders before seeing her powerful left-footed shot brilliantly saved by the outstretched hand of St. Mary’s keeper Biddy Doherty. Steadying the ship somewhat, St. Mary’s clawed their way back into proceedings and could have reduced the deficit but Kate Roddy flashed wide under pressure after new QPS keeper Carla McCloskey could only parry Colleen Kearney’s effort. The Clonmany girls were right back in it minutes later however when a great run by Treasa Doherty allowed Roddy to control the ball on the edge of the box and fire into the net with a low arrowed drive. Amy McCarron drilled wide, Colleen Kearney saw another shot blocked and Treasa Doherty skewed wide as St. Mary’s, buoyed by Roddy’s goal, went in search of an equaliser. Making the Clonmany girls pay for that trio of missed opportunities, super subs Louise Quigley and Kathleen O’Donnell combined, with the former putting the Point two to the good once more after slotting home from twelve yards. Rather than drop their heads, St. Mary’s launched another unlikely comeback bid with little over ten minutes remaining. First Colleen Kearney pulled a goal back following great work by Treasa Doherty before Doherty herself got in on the scoring act, racing onto Kim McDaid’s long pass to fire a levelling strike from sixteen yards. With both teams on course for a point apiece, enter Denise Donaghey, onto centre stage. The talented midfielder was first on hand to tap in Celine Curtis’ perfect cross from the left before sparking scenes of celebration on the home sideline after bursting through the middle and hammering the ball past St. Mary’s keeper Biddy Doherty into the roof of the net. Quigley’s Point Swifts: Maria McColgan, Carla McCloskey, Fiona Grant, Emma Harkin, Ann Marie McIntyre, Denise Donaghey, Angela McCallion, Laura Connolly, Celine Curtis, Claire Kelly, Amy Diver. Subs: Louise Quigley, Kathleen O’Donnell, Anne O’Donnell. St. Mary’s: Biddy Doherty, Sheena Kearney, Kim McDaid, Michelle Hands, Amy McCarron, Maria Harkin, Mary King, Donna King, Treasa Doherty, Kate Roddy, Colleen Kearney. Subs: Aoife Doherty, Shannon Doherty, Noreen O’Donnell, Geraldine Doherty. Player of the Match Denise Donaghey was in excellent form at midfield, driving the Quigley’s Point girls forward time and again. Industrious Claire Kelly was also prominent for the home team. Treasa Doherty and Colleen Kearney were St. Mary’s best performers. The award goes to Celine Curtis though; head and shoulders, the class act on the pitch. Ref Watch Tom McAree was typically relaxed in the middle of the park. Let the game flow as much as possible and got all the big calls spot on. Could have booked a St. Mary’s player for a late tackle in the second-half. Overall though; an excellent display. Turning Point Two quick-fire St. Mary’s goals late on in the second-half looked set to be the game’s key moment but Denise Donaghey’s late brace proved the difference in the end, sending the drenched Quigley’s Point supporters home happy. Crowd Great to see such a good crowd following the ladies league on a wet night Thursday night Muff. The female game, with some excellent young performers across the peninsula, is on the up and up. (Also big thanks to the woman who held an umbrella over me so that I could write my report!). For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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