Well done to the Dublin's Premier Junior players on a hard-earned 2-12 to 2-04 win over a good resolute Roscommon side in this Irish Daily Star National league Div. 3 semi-final played in glorious sunshine on a perfect pitch at Killurin GAA club, Tullamore, Co. Offaly today, Saturday 19 April.
When these teams met in the group stage earlier in the year only a point separated the sides. So today’s encounter was always going to be a tight affair. Siobhan Keogh opened the scoring for Dublin with a well taken point. Roscommon’s reply was instant – a long range shot from corner forward Elaine Daly ended up in the Dublin net. But the Dublin forwards kept the pressure on the Roscommon backs. A few goal chances went astray. Siobhan Keogh, Dublin’s player of the match, was everywhere in the forward line causing Roscommon all kinds of problems resulting in a number of frees being awarded to Dublin which Georgina Kelly slotted over the bar. Dublin held a slender 2 point lead at half time 0-7 to 1-2. The game was still very much in the balance.
After the resumption Dublin added 2 quick points - one from Siobhan Keogh from play and another pointed free from Georgina Kelly. But Roscommon clawed their way back into the game outscoring Dublin 3 points (all from Kelly Hopkins) to 1 to make it all square mid-way through the half - Dublin 0-10 Roscommon 2-4. Both sides upped their performances and for the next 10 minutes the pace was hectic with both sets of backs especially doing trojan work. It was obvious that whoever broke the deadlock would go on to win the game. On 23 minutes Georgina Kelly sent over a superb point from out on the right hand sideline – an inspirational score. The deadlock was broken and the tide began to turn in Dublin's favour. A minute later Siobhan Keogh directed the sliotar to the Roscommon net. Substitute Kirsten Farrell in space received a great pass from Siobhan which she placed it in the back of the Roscommon net for Dublin’s second goal. Georgina Kelly finished the scoring with a fine point from the left wing just before referee Ger Browne of Tipperary called a halt to proceedings. Final score Dublin 2-12 Roscommon 2-4.
In fairness to the Roscommon girls the final score does not reflect how well they played. Dublin can be happy that every player contributed to a great team performance. In the final on Sunday 4 May Dublin will meet the winners of Armagh and Westmeath who play tomorrow in Drogheda at 2.30pm.
Scorers:
Dublin: Siobhan Keogh 1-4 (1 free); Georgina Kelly 0-7 (5 frees); Kirsten Farrell 1-0; Emma Flannagan 0-1.
Roscommon: Kelly Hopkins 0-3 (2frees); Niamh Coyle and Elaine Daly 1-0 each; Sinead O'Brien 0-1.
Photos