On Monday night in Haggardstown, one of the most entertaining games of happened between the county finalists of 2019.
Cooley started quickly with 2-1 in the opening 5 minutes cancelling out a Rebecca Carr opening point. However, Gers rallied with 6 unanswered points, 3 from Rebecca Carr frees, 2 from Lauren McFaul and one from corner back Gemma McCrave. Just before the water break, the Cooley forwards opened the Gers defence again with another goal.
After the restart from the water break, some quick hand passing led to Ava Kiernan firing the ball into the top corner. Seemed like nothing could split the teams with both exchanging points in the dying minutes of the 1st half. Then deep into injury time the referee awarded the Gers which Rebecca Carr slotted away. The scoring of the half would come to a close with 2 points from the pennisula side to make it a 1 point game after 30 minutes of football.
The 2nd half was barely a minute old when Rebecca Carr got her 2nd goal of the game. Rebecca increased the Gers lead with a free but 2 quick frees from Cooley reduced the Gers lead to 3 points with 10 minutes gone in the 2nd half. Goal of the game came from the boot of Abbi O'Connor. After taking on her opponent, Abbi fired a shot from 20 yards out off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
The Cooley ladies controlled the next 10 minutes with 3 frees and a number of great saves from Grainne Boyle and great defensive work from the backs kept the Gers leading by 3 in the closing stages. A Rebecca Carr point and full forward Ciara O'Connor's goal put the game to bed. The final score the game came from a Cooley free. Gers ladies winning by a 6 point margin. Next up away to St. Mochtas on 16th August.
1. Grainne Boyle 2. Gemma McCrave (0-1) 3. Eilis Hand 4. Megan Scully 5. Amy Dalton 6. Holly Lambe Sally 7. Aine Lynch 8. Lisa McCabe 9. Rebecca Carr (2-7) 10. Ava Kiernan (1-0) 11. Lauren McFaul (0-2) 12. Emma Gartlan 13. Victoria Fee 14. Ciara O'Connor (1-0) 15. Abbi O'Connor (1-0)
Subs used: Louise Corcoran, Sharon O'Connor