Paces-setters Ballymackey and Castletroy can’t be separated

By Gary Culbert

There were three games in the Tipperary Women’s League last week.

Division 1

Ballymackey 3-3 District of Castletroy

The spoils were shared in Ballinree on Wednesday evening as Ballymackey and District of Castletroy played out a very entertaining 3-3 draw.

Ballymackey took a 2-1 lead into the half time break courtesy of goals from Hazel Cawley and Christine Morrow, whilst Áine Nolan found the net for the visiting Limerick side.

Christine Morrow grabbed her second goal just after the restart to put Ballymackey two goals clear, but they failed to take advantage of a couple of good opportunities to put the game to bed. Lisa Toohey went closest, smashing a great strike off the crossbar.

However, Ballymackey were made to rue their missed chances, as DC scored two late goals through Áine Nolan and Saoirse Young to grab a late draw.

It was a great game of football with both sides playing some lovely stuff. Aoibhín Delaney had a fine match in the centre of the field for Ballymackey, but Hazel Cawley was the player of the match for the home side, scoring a cracking goal and terrorising the visiting defence throughout.

Division 2

Newport Town 2-3 Borrisokane

Borrisokane made the long trip to Newport Town and came away from Derryleigh Park with all three points courtesy of a 3-2 scoreline.

Two early goals through April Slevin and Shauna Rooney put the hosts on the back foot. Newport had two very good chances to score, but failed to take their opportunities. Newport finally found the net through Kerrie Lenihan, halving the deficit heading into the break.

Again, a slow start by Newport allowed Borrisokane to score an early goal in the second half as April Slevin stole in for her second of the game.

Newport grew into the game but again failed to take their chances, including missing from the penalty spot. Ailín Rochford scored Newport's second goal which made for an exciting finish, but they just could not find a way past the Borrisokane keeper for a third time.

Best for Newport were Sarah Finn, Kerrie Lenihan and Ailín Rochford; but the player of the match award must go to Borrisokane’s April Slevin, whose brace was the difference between victory and defeat on the day.

Birdhill 8-0 Shinrone

Birdhill had a huge 8-0 win over Shinrone. The home side got off to a good start with Emma Flanagan and Fiona Delaney both going close to breaking the deadlock, only for Shinrone’s goalkeeper to make two fine saves to keep it scoreless.

Emma Coleman eventually opened the scoring for the hosts in the 25th minute, before going on to complete her hat-trick before half time, leaving Birdhill 3-0 up at the break.

A fast start from the home side saw Emma Flanagan notch her first goal five minutes into the second half. The Birdhill shot-stopper made some fine saves to keep Shinrone out whilst Emma Flanagan grabbed her second on the hour mark to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Emma Coleman scored her fourth and fifth goals as the clock ran down, whilst Emma Flanagan got in the act to complete her own hat-trick ten minutes from time. Emma Flanagan and Emma Coleman are the obvious shouts for player of the match, but will happily admit that they got great service from the wingers too. Deirdre McGlinchey had a very good game in midfield in her very first match for Birdhill.