O’Hanlon double decisive

TWO goals in the last minute from skipper Caroline O’Hanlon earned the 2006 TG4/O’Neills All Stars a deserved win in the Ladies Football exhibition game in Dubai.

Overall, they were the better balanced side, retaining an early lead until the three-quarters stage and showing good character in coming back after a score from Laois player Tracy Lawlor less than two minutes from the end of time promised to give the more highly-rated 2007 side victory.

However, O’Hanlon came to her team’s rescue with her late scores, having played a pivotal role all through at midfield.

“It was a very tight match all through,’ she commented. “It was great to be out here with all these great players but at the end of the day there was a lot of pride at stake too. I was just lucky to get the chances at the end.”

Ladies Football Association President Geraldine Giles said; “It was a great exhibition. Fair play to the girls they went all out and it was very competitive. I think that neutral spectators didn’t realise how high the standard was.”

Cork’s Valerie Mulcahy had the 2007 combination ahead with a goal in the 4th minute. Once Laois player Martha Kirwan equalised four minutes later and kicked a point shortly afterwards, they led to the interval.

Kirwan followed up with a quick goal and with O’Hanlon and Meath’s Gráinne Nulty to the forefront, they played the better football. However, they were relieved to see goalkeeper Katrina Connolly from Sligo bring off a vital save which left them three clear (1-10 to 1-7) at the break.

The second half was a lively affair, with the issue in doubt until O’Hanlon struck gold with two late goals.

Scorers for 2006 All Stars: C. O’Hanlon 2-0; M. Kirwan 1-3; D. O’Brien 0-3; N. Cleary, N. Kindlon and G. Nulty 0-2 each; M. O’Donnell, S. O’Connor and A. Matthews 0-1 each.

Scorers for 2007 All Stars: V. Mulcahy 1-2; F. McHale 1-1; T. Lawlor 0-3; J. Murphy and D. O’Reilly 0-2 each; M. Quinn, G. Begley and C. Donnelly 0-1 each.

2006 ALL STARS: K. Connolly (Sligo); C. Marley (Armagh), M. Kelly (Tyrone), S. Dooley (Meath); A. Daly (Galway), B. O’Donnell (Armagh), P. Fogarty (Laois); C. O’Hanlon (Armagh, capt.), M. O’Donnell (Waterford); N. Cleary (Cork), G. Nulty (Meath), S. O’Connor (Kerry); M. Kirwan (Laois), N. Kindlon (Monaghan) D. O’Brien (Limerick).

Inter-change players: L. Muckian (Laois), A. O’Donnell (Armagh), M. Kirwan (Laois), E. Flaherty (Galway) and A. Matthews (Armagh).

2007 ALL STARS: M. Kelly (Wexford), R. Hallahan (Waterford), A. Walsh (Cork), R. Buckley (Cork); C. O’Hara (Mayo), B. Stack (Cork), B. Corkery (Cork); J. Murphy (Cork, capt), B. Leahy (Kildare); A.M. Cox (Leitrim), M. Quinn (Leitrim), T. Lawlor (Laois); V. Mulcahy (Cork), G. Begley (Tyrone), D. O’Reilly (Cork).

Inter-change players: C. Donnelly (Tyrone), S. Brennan (Leitrim), F. McHale (Mayo), M. Carter (Mayo).

Referee: Declan Corcoran (Mayo).