Laochra Loch Lao 3‑12 Mac Dáibhéid 7‑15
Our senior ladies and Laochra Loch Lao produced a thrilling, high‑quality Junior B Championship semi‑final at An Spórtlanné na hÉireann on Saturday evening. Both teams showcased superb skill and intensity, reflecting the hard work of their coaches and providing outstanding entertainment for an enthusiastic crowd.
First Half
Laochra started brightest, hitting the opening two points — one from a free and another well‑worked score from play (0‑2 to 0‑0). We settled quickly, levelling through a Darcie McParland free and a point from Orlagh Abram (0‑2 to 0‑2). The hosts responded with a free, a well‑taken goal and a point to move ahead 1‑4 to 0‑2.
We answered strongly: Jessica Cush clipped over a point before a sweeping move from deep was finished to the net by Sophie Skelly, narrowing the gap to 1‑4 to 1‑3. Laochra then reeled off three points in succession — a free, a pressured right‑footed effort, and a fine finish after a powerful solo run, stretching their lead to 1‑7 to 1‑3.
Our response was immediate. Orla Abram fired to the roof of the net, and from the resulting kick‑out we regained possession, allowing Sophie Skelly to level the match at 1‑7 to 2‑4. Laochra nudged ahead again after a turnover, but Darcie McParland struck a superb point from a well‑worked free to tie the game once more (1‑8 to 2‑5).
The final score of the half went to the home side, leaving us trailing by a single point at the break: 1‑9 to 2‑5.
Second Half
We burst out of the blocks after the restart, hitting 1‑3 without reply. Darcie McParland was played on by the referee’s advantage and finished to the net, Sophie Skelly pointed after a turnover, Darcie added another after a slick hand‑passing move, and Amy Rogan curled over a brilliant left‑footed score (1‑9 to 3‑8).
Laochra registered their first point of the half on 44 minutes, working the ball patiently from deep, but Darcie replied with another excellent point after a strong solo run (1‑10 to 3‑9). The hosts then struck back with a goal and a point to reduce the margin to one (2‑11 to 3‑9).
We responded with a superb purple patch. Sophia Reid pointed after some lovely individual skill, Sophie Skelly netted after a one‑on‑one with the keeper, Ella McGonigle clipped a composed score, and Darcie McParland added 1‑1 — her goal coming from the penalty spot. Another Skelly point stretched our lead approaching the final five minutes (2‑11 to 5‑13).
Laochra battled back with a goal and a point (3‑12 to 5‑13), but we finished with real authority. Points from Sophia Reid and Aoife Slane, followed by late goals from Darcie McParland and Sophie Skelly, sealed a deserved victory on a final scoreline of 3‑12 to 7‑15.
Click here for photos of the game.
