Sylvesters & Judes into Leinster Finals
- Dec 04,2021
Sylvesters & Judes into Provincial Finals …
The Dublin flag continues to fly high in the province with both Dublin Intermediate and Junior champions, St Sylvesters and St Judes qualifying for their respective Leinster finals.
St Judes where on the road again this weekend travelling down the motorway to Wexford for their semi-final clash with home side, Kilanerin.
The sunny south east did not live up to its billing today as the game was played in bitterly cold and blustery conditions.
At the first water break, despite playing against the wind St Judes led by 1-04 to 0-2. The opening goal of the game coming when a speculative kick from Cliodhna Nicoletti came off the Kilanerin goal keepers finger tips and into the back of the net.
Shortly before half time, Kilanerin where thrown a life line when they were awarded a penalty following a late tackle on one of their forwards by Aoife Walsh. The Jude’s defender was subsequently sent to the sin bin with her side down to 14 players for the next 10 minutes of play.
Much to the relief of the travelling Judes supporters, Kilanerin, full forward Maeve Hughes kicked her penalty shot wide of the posts. The missed penalty meant that St Judes remained ahead at the interval, HT score St Judes 1-04 (7) Kilanerin 0-05 (5).
Playing well and with the add of a strong breeze, St Jude’s excelled in the third quarter of this entertaining clash, hitting 2-02 to remain in the lead at the water break by 3-06 to 0-06. The visitors second half goals were scored by team captain, Aoife Keyes and the industrious Ellie Young.
To their credit Kilanerin never gave up and took the game to the Dublin champions for the remainder of the contest. They where rewarded for their efforts when awarded a second penalty which Maeve Hughes on this occasion dispersed to the back of the net with aplomb.
On the final whistle it was the Dublin champions who booked their place in the 2021 provincial decider with a convincing 3-09 (18) to 1-06 (9) victory.
St Judes will play Longford champions St Colmcilles in the 2021 Junior Leinster final next weekend as they overcame Ballyfin of Laois in their semi-final by 1-12 (15) to 0-04 (4).
Meanwhile over in Malahide, St Sylvesters had to work hard to shake off the challenge from Westmeath champions, The Downs.
In a tight opening quarter Syls lead at the water break by just two points 0-04 to 0-02. However the turning point in the game came in the second quarter of the opening half when the home side out scored their challengers by 1-03 to 0-01. St Sylvesters, Nicole Owens was on target with the opening goal of the game. Halt time score read, St Sylvesters 1-07 (10)The Downs 0-03 (3).
Sinead Aherne bagged an important goal within five minutes of the restart to push her side ten points clear. The same margin remained between the two sides at the second water break, St Sylvesters 2-08 (14) The Downs 0-04 (4).
Syls keeper, Sophie Brennan pulled off a fine save with seven minutes remaining on the clock which gave her team an extra spurt to see out the game. On the final whistle St Sylvesters had secured victory and a place in the 2021 provincial decider, FT score St Sylvesters 2-09 (15) The Downs 0-06 (6).
Up next for St Sylvesters will be a Leinster final encounter with Longford Slashers who earlier today overcame Shelmaliers of Wexford in their semi-final by 2-08 (14) to 0-07 (7).
For up to date information on next weekends Leinster Junior and Intermediate club championship finals please go to www.leinsterladiesgaelic.ie or follow Leinster LGFA on social media.