Halpenny Travel Louth SFC quarter-final
Roche Emmets 3-15 St. Mochta’s 1-5
Roche Emmets side, the only Division 2 team in the Halpenny Travel SFC, are through to the semi-finals after this convincing win over St. Mochta’s, in Roche on Sunday morning.
Victory means Micheal Heaney’s side are thorough to the penultimate stage for the first time since 2011 where they await the winner of the Cooley Kickham’s/Stabannon tie on Sunday next for a place in the final.
On a bitterly disappointing day for the Louth Village side who never produced their best football, and kicked a number of poor wides in the early stages where they started the better with Emma Quinn giving them an early lead.
Roche gradually settled and were level as Seona Halligan was on target from a free on six minutes. Roche then took a firm grip on the contest as Tracey Rogers was on the end of a fine move and shot over, with Jenny McCourt, Louise Byrne (2) Deirbhla Begley and Seona Halligan also raising white flags.
The home side went further ahead midway through the half,following some superb play by Jenny McCourt and Deirbhla Begley set up Tracey Rogers who fired to the net. McCourt (2) and Halligan added further points leaving the Faughart parish club well placed as they led 1:10 to 0:03 at the break.
Mochtas resumed showing much more urgency and a wonderful pass by Aoife Byrne created an opening for Lauren Kieran who just failed to get the ball under control and the chance went a begging. After Seona Halligan and Emer Byrne swapped points, Mochta’s were thrown a lifeline when referee Paul Burke awarded a penalty for a foul on Emer Byrne which was converted by Emma Quinn.
Having won the resultant kick out impressive midfielder Louise Byrne went on a driving run and her vicious shot hit the woodwork, with the alert Seona Halligan on hand to lash to the net from close range.
Any slim hopes of a Mochta’s comeback dissapeared just minutes later as Tracey Rogers went past a number of defenders before unleashing a tremendous shot which hit the underside of the crossbar before entering the roof of the net extending the lead 3:11 to 1:4. Eimear Byrne got one back but the Roche Emmett’s dominance continued with a further 0:04 to emerge as they eased to a very impressive win.
One of many outstanding performers on the Roche side Tracy Rogers was delighted with her side’s snowing:
“We started slowly, making a number of mistakes and giving possession away easily. As we settled into the game we started to play the way we knew we could. Louise Byrne made some brilliant run through the centre of their defence while Jenny McCourt hit some wonderful points which help us settle. It wasn’t an easy win as it was a tough battle throughout with Mochtas having their spells.
We knew at half time that they were going to come out fighting and they did,but thankfully we weathered the storm and got our second goal almost immediately after they scored from the penalty spot. We kept going to the very end which is credit to the team and is exactly what Micheal (Heaney) has installed in the club. From number 1 to 25 we worked and fought for the victory today, which was a difficult task against a very good team, and one in which the scoreline definitely doesn’t reflect”
Michael Heaney was understandably pleased with the way his charges tore up the form-book: “It was just reward for the good work done on the training ground over the past month. We didn’t have a great start but we don’t do panic as we prepare for a 60 minute game. Our response to going three behind early on was really pleasing and we really settled and played some superb football. I don’t have a preference for who we meet next as it’s all about getting our own game right rather than worry about the opposition”
Roche Emmets: Claire McCann; Katie Halligan, Fiona Levins, Lauren Meehan; Caoimhe Treanor, Niamh Callan, Aisling Sloane; Aoife Halligan, Louise Byrne (0-2); Seona Halligan (1-4), Tracey Rogers (2-2), Sarah McArdle; Jennie McCourt (0-5, three frees), Caroline O’Neill, Dearbhla Begley (0-2)
Sub: Aisling Begley
St. Mochta’s: Niamh Kirk; Kayleigh Hoey, Dearbhla O’Connor, Laura McDonnell; Lauren Kieran, Orla O’Neill, Shauna Lennon; Aoife Byrne, Eimear Byrne (0-1); Katie Rafferty, Emma Quinn (1-3, 1-0 penalty), Roisin Curley; Christine Carolan (0-1), Laura Kieran, Caitlin Curley
Subs: Nadine Muckian, Ciara Callan, Kayla Byrne, Jill Byrne, Grace O’Reilly
Referee: Paul Burke (Glen Emmets)
Report by Dermot Woods
