Castleisland Desmonds beat Kilmurry Ibrickane to reach Munster LGFA senior final

Chloe Moloney impressed for Kilmurry but Castleisland deservedly secured a commanding victory.

Two goals in the space of five first half minutes inspired Castleisland Desmonds to a convincing victory over Kilmurry Ibrickane in the Munster LGFA senior championship semi-final. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Munster LGFA senior semi-final: Castleisland Desmonds 2-13 Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-6

Two goals in the space of five first half minutes inspired Castleisland Desmonds to a convincing victory over Kilmurry Ibrickane in the Munster LGFA senior championship semi-final at the splendid grounds of Páirc Naomh Mhuire in Quilty.

Having conceded a green flag to the home side’s star performer Chloe Moloney in the 14th minute (a deft flick to the net by the Peamount United player), the Kerry champions could have been rattled, but instead responded strongly to the early blow.

Driven on by the outstanding Lorraine Scanlon in the middle of the park, and with Eilis Lynch and Cait Lynch dominant in defence, Andrea Murphy found the net in the 20th minute, with Julia Curtin striking for the crucial second Desmonds goal five minutes later.

Seven points to the good at the interval (2-6 to 1-2), and with Kilmurry Ibrickane having lost midfielder Sophie Daly to a sin-binning, Desmonds were virtually home and dry heading into the changeover, with Amy Curtin adding to their advantage early in the second period.

The winners were temporarily reduced to 14 themselves when the towering Walmsley picked up a yellow card in the 38th minute but, while the newly-crowned Clare kingpins were belligerent opposition for Desmonds, they were far too dependent on Moloney for attacking inspiration.

With an unanswered five-point burst at the start of the final quarter, Desmonds saw out their job with the minimum of fuss, with Moloney sin-binned herself in the 55th minute.

The winners will hope to have captain Ciara O’Sullivan and Aishling Leonard back for next weekend’s provincial final.

Scorers for Castleisland Desmonds: J Curtin (1-4, 3fs), A Murphy (1-3), L Scanlon, A Curtin (2fs) (0-3 each).

Scorers for Kilmurry Ibrickane: C Moloney (1-4, 1f), E Hanrahan, J Doohan (0-1, 1f each).

CASTLEISLAND DESMONDS: J Drumm; S Murphy, E Lynch, H Herlihy; G Kearney, Kayla O’Connor, C Lynch; L Scanlon, H Bourke; Kate O’Connor, L Walmsley, L Griffin; J Curtin, A Murphy, A Curtin.

Subs: R Cronin for Herlihy (28), K O’Sullivan for Kate O’Connor (50), Ruth Cahill for Bourke (56), Robyn Cahill for Walmsley (56), A Kerin for J Curtin (58).

KILMURRY IBRICKANE: K McMahon; A Martin, R Doohan, N Miller; R Tubridy, J Doohan, D Garrahy; S Daly, C McCarthy; K Darcy, A Sexton, E Hanrahan; K Galvin, C Moloney, C O’Connor.

Subs: R Sexton for Galvin (54), E Coughlan for Garrahy (55), A Cushen for Darcy (60+1), E Scullane for O’Connor (60+1).

Referee: C McCarthy (Cork).