Roscommon L.G.F.C. Match Reports 2004

08/08/2004 – Roscommon Seniors (1-06) – NY Cavan (4-09)

The seniors came face-to-face with Cavan from New York in the Shield final. Cavan was expected to be strong and certainly a tough challenge as they had previously beat the Boston Shamrocks confidently. However, the first half, Roscommon showed them that they can put it up to them and with a strong defence and excellent passing to the forwards, they had the upper hand of 4 points by halftime. Unfortunately in the second half, Cavan showed they were to be messed with and within in a few minutes they had knocked in 2 goals, and for Roscommon, heads seemed to drop. They continuously were playing catchup, and the backs never got a chance to take a breath.

Final Whistle: Cavan(New York) win

Benny Howley Awards

Player of Junior Game: Jessica

Player of Senior Game: Edel McGovern

08/08/2004 – Roscommon Juniors – Shamrocks (WIN)

On Sunday 8th August both Juniors and Seniors were playing in Canton. Unfortunately both games overlapped which only emphasises the priority women's football is given!

The juniors were perhaps too confident after the last encounter and win over the Shamrocks. But the Shamrocks, with the strong addition of Ann Marie Curran and new away-based players, came out determined to retaliate. Also with Caoimhe and Caroline playing senior, Roscommon were back to a struggle, especially in the forwards. The backs had their work cut out for them and it seemed that besides their own player, they were faced to mark and challenge at least another two opposing players. Scores for Roscommon weren't in plentiful supply and it seemed hard work to get them. Scores came from Laurita, Karen, Andrea and Courtney. Marguerite was kept busy in goals and only for some wonderful saves the scoreline would have been more embarrassing. Unfortunately it is back to the drawing board as Roscommon face again the Shamrocks for a place in the final.

Final Whistle: Shamrocks win

07/18/2004 – Roscommon Seniors – Mayo NY (WIN)

On Sunday 18th July, the Seniors faced Mayo in New York. As expected this game was excellent as both teams put each other to the test. It was also a comeback game for players Caroline Hearty and Caroline Newton, who'd picked up serious injuries at start of season. The battle was fierce with displays from both the backs and forwards leaving a nail-biting conclusion.

07/18/2004 – Roscommon Juniors – Monaghan NY (WIN)

Next game for the Juniors was on Sunday July 18th in New York against Monaghan. This would be a vital game as Monaghan had managed to beat Tir Na Oig, so a win for Roscommon would leave a playoff situation. However, due to a number of absences of key players, it was inevitable that Monaghan would be the stronger.

Final Whistle: Monaghan

07/04/2004 – Roscommon Juniors - Tir na nOig (WIN)

The next outing for the Juniors was again to face Tir NAOg on Sunday 4th July. After the last encounter, there was every expectation that "fireworks" would surely be going off, however, perhaps our girls were too confident and sure of themselves, because quite the reverse was the case. Tir Na Og had the upper hand throughout this whole game, and despite an excellent display from all the back line, they still managed to clock up the scores. At times it did seem like our girls could make a comeback, but it seemed so difficult for them to get it to the forwards and keep it there. The experience and questionable junior status of the fellow Brighton team couldn't be matched. Scores from Andrea Kelly, Laurita Blewitt, Roisin MCEvoy and Barbara Kelly.

Final Whistle: Tir Na Og win

Following this game there was a Player of The Game awarded which has kindly been sponsored by Benny Howley (also sponsors Junior jerseys). Award of Player of game: Laurita Blewitt

06/27/2004 – Roscommon Juniors (Win) Shamrocks

On Sunday 27th June, the Roscommon juniors came face-to-face with fellow rivals Boston Shamrocks. After a hard fought game against Tir Na Og, the girls were quietly confident. From the whistle blew the game became a very one-sided affair with Roscommon continuing the battling determination they showed in the last game. Scores coming from Laurita Blewitt, Roisin McEvoy, Karen Davitt, Andrea Kelly and Courtney Kelly. There is no doubt that the addition of Caroline Hearty and Caoimhe Marley to our side was the icing of the cake in this game. Caoimhe dominated the midfield and her scoring was on target. Caroline's presence ensured a very confident backline. However, the shamrocks did not give in and there were times when the defence line were surely put to the test, but with the combinations of Jackie Commons, Louise Coen and Christine Grady, and excellent goalkeeping from Marguerite Flaherty, the Shamrocks could never get the win over our Juniors.

Final Whistle: Roscommon Win

06/20/2004 – Roscommon Seniors (3-08) Shamrocks (2-06)

Expected to be always an exciting and competitve encounter the seniors took on Boston Shamrocks on Sunday (20th). It was a little worrying how this game would go, especially with Caroline Newton and Caroline Heraty, ruled out due to injury, and because with this the first outing for the new revamped team with the away-based players. However, anyone who supports Roscommon knows that they certainly renowned for their fighting spirit! The Shamrocks were off to a great start with a goal straight away, and for some it may have seemed as if this game could be very much one-sided. However, those skeptics were much mistaken, as Roscommon proceeded to rattle off four unanswered points, and the crowd was to be greeted with the certain rivalry that prevails between the teams. The Shamrocks did attempt to get back in the game, and at times seemed to reach that aim, but due to the consistent and strong line of defence, Roscommon dominated, and with the fine combination of Laura Burns and Leona Murphy (away-based) in midfield the forwards were busy taking turns to score. AT half-time, thanks to an excellent goal from Regina Finnegan, the Ros ladies were leading by 1-5 to 1-2.

The best was yet to come, as the second half was underlined by two Roscommon goals in the space of 30 seconds. Playing with two in the full forward line we streaked into a 7 point lead through Debbie Murphy, the corner forward was rewarded with two goals. Although Shamrocks did battle, our seniors continued to put on a hungrier, sharper performance, with some exceptional displays of skill and teamwork, some said the best Canton has seen yet in 2004 (men included)!

Final score: Roscommon 3-8 Vs Shamrocks 2-6

Team List: M.Demoss, P.Bourke, C.Lagan, K.Burns, N.MCCartan, G.O'Connor, C.McGurran, L.Murphy, L.Burns, M.McAteer, S.McGovern, R.McCallan, M.Egan, R.Finnegan, D.Murphy

06/16/2004 – Tir na nOig (3-16) Roscommon Juniors(3-06)

Last Wednesday (16th June) the Junior team under Gary Delaney's training and management, had there first game of 2004, against Tir Na Og. The game was expected to be a tough one, as Tir Na Og are last year's Junior Champions and have certainly a more experienced side. The first half of the game was certainly to their advantage, with a bountiful scoreline, and a continuous battle in the Roscommon defence. Any retaliation by tour girls, unfortunately did not result in scores, with most attempts being placed wide or secured by the goalie. However, just when it seemed almost a hopeless game in many eyes, the Roscommon juniors took the second half by storm. With precise points by Courtney and Andrea Kelly up front, and midfield combinations of Roisin McEvoy(away-based) and Karen Davitt, we were soon matching up to the fellow Brighton team. Tir Na Og struggled to continue their scoring display, especially with fine defending from Jackie, Louise and Deidre, and on their lapses, Margurite was soundly there to stop the size 4! With a final score of 3-16 to 3-6, there was no question that at the end of this game, there were some impressed supporters. This junior team played together for the first time on Wednesday, a team made up of past players and new players (who never played Gaelic before), but after an hour, there's no doubt they are strong, determined and ready to fight for the Junior champions of 2004.

05/09/2004 – Shamrocks (3-06) Roscommon (1-08)

The Boston Shamrocks and Roscommon met for the first time this season in the Orla Benson Cup Final and it was the Dorchester sided team that triumphed after an entertaining competed encounter. The first 20 minutes saw the Shamrocks publish a four-point lead, and later Roscommon started playing a bit of football, it was the four-point gap that they should never seem to surmount. The Shamrocks dominated the first quarter if the game and managed a Rita Kearney point followed by a Donna O Connor goal straight from a free kick after 20 minutes. Roscommon never really threatened to breach the Shamrocks line, and registered their only score of the half through a Roisin Mc Callan point from a free after Nuala Mc Cartan was fouled. Sharon Mc Govern played with her usual committed style, however, a few of her cohorts needed to raise the level of their performance to make a dent in the score. Rita Kearney, who had a good tussle all day with her marker Caroline Hearty, capitalized on a filed clearance with a fisted goal. There was six points in it at half time, with the Shamrocks leading by a score of 2-1 to 0-1.

Roscommon’s second half performance was in stark contrast to the first half as they turned what threatened to be a fairly uninspiring game into an exciting one. Firing on all cylinders the Roscommon ladies began to win the midfield ball that they were giving up so easily in the first, Regina Finnegan being instrumental and finding Caroline Newton at full forward. Newton threatened every time she won possession, however, sometimes Shamrocks defending prevented chances that had goal written all over them from going in – and Roscommon settled for points. Having scored four points the Shamrocks one, Roscommon conceded a goal at the wrong time, nullifying all the good work as Trisha Mc Kenna latched on to a badly cleared ball to fire home.

Roscommon answered 8 minutes later as Roisin Mc Callan free hit the back of the net, however another goal was needed if Ros were going to have a chance of winning the Cup. It never came, though there were a few chances that the Shamrocks defenders kept out. The Shamrocks won the first trophy of the year, and based on this game the ladies promise more entertainment in the months to come.

04/25/2004 – Roscommon (0-11) Tir Na nOg (0-1)

The Roscommon Ladies took on Tir Na nOg on Sunday 25th April in Canton. As this was the first game of 2004, which way the game would go, was anyone's guess. Anthony and Benny had the task of lining out a team, which was to include some new faces and of course those that were familiar. A very big loss to the team on match day was Regina Finnegan, out due to an injury. Therefore, the managers had a job of rearranging positions to suit.

From the blow of the whistle, the ball was most definitely in the Roscommon hands and it was from then on in, that the team showed why they are North-eastern champs. The passes from midfield, through the half-forward line and full-forward could very rarely be faulted the entire game. However, there were occasions when the scoring was certainly not on target, the proof of this was a half-time scoreline of 5pts to 1pt for Roscommon, when there should surely have been a more substantial gap. The scores on target however, are the ones that matter and these came from ever reliable forwards: Roisin McCallan (2pts), Sharon McGovern (2pts), and a young newcomer to the team this year Andrea Kelly (1pt). The Tir Na nOg single score was a result of a free-kick.

The second half started out in much the same form. Again the passing was at most times perfect. However there were times when there seemed to be a panic in front of goals, as to who was going to take on the responsibility of the scores, especially when goal chances were possible. The Tir Na Nog Goalkeeper was put to the test, with chances from Sharon McGovern and Caroline Newton and although there were no results from this, the Roscommon girls made sure the points counted, with scores from: Caroline Newton (1pt), Nuala McCartan(2pts), Laura Burns (1pt), Roisin McCallan (2pts).

In a very one-sided game it is sometimes easy to forget the defence line of the team, but they too deservedly need acknowledgement. The ever dependable Caroline Heraty was always on her toes and once the ball was in the opposing team's forward line she was there to basically just take it back, as were all the defenders, and it's because of them Tir Na nOg only managed a single point in 4o minutes of play. A special mention must go to the new Goalie Mary DeMoss, who played her first game and certainly ensured her place with the team. Also shining well for Roscommon were Nuala McCartan, Sharon MCGovern, Roisin McCallan, Laura Burns and Andrea Kelly.

Final Score: Roscommon 0-11 Tir Na nOg 0-1

Team List: Mary Demoss, Paula Bourke, Maudy Lynn, Pauline Collins, Katie Burns, Caroline Heraty, Ciara McGurran, Nuala McCartan, Laura Burns, Roisin MCCallan, Sharon McGovern, Debbie Murphy, Andrea Kelly, Caroline Newton, Louise Ceon

Subs: (all used) Karen Davitt, Christine Grady, Courtney Kelly

The Roscommon Ladies were at the most part dependable and solid, and certainly did not look a team only playing in the first game of a new year. They now go on to meet the Boston Shamrocks on Sun. May 9th in Canton in the final of the cup. Naturally this will undoubtedly be more competitive as opposed to Tir Na nOg, as they are a senior team. However, any game between Roscommon and Shamrocks is always very entertaining, nail-biting and extremely skilful, but there are no doubts that if the Roscommon girls continue to play like they did, the Shamrocks are in for a rude-awakening!