Outstanding Aisling Reynolds scores 1-11 but Longford’s Ballymore beaten in Leinster

Muckalee (Kilkenny) . . . 3-10 Ballymore . . .  1-15

The Kilkenny senior champions Muckalee, with home advantage, made a very strong start to the Round 1 clash on Saturday last and were fast and aggressive on the ball. 

Muckalee raced off into an early lead. Fast playing from Ellen Lawlor, Katie Nolan and Sarah Corcoran saw them up by a goal and four points  by the 12th minute.  

Ballymore were very frustrated by what appeared to be harsh refereeing decisions which hampered their gain in the opposition’s half. 

 After a couple of wides, Ballymore corner-forward Caroline Kiernan secured their first score in the 14th minute and this was  followed up by 2 fine points from Aoife Dawson and Aisling Reynolds.  

Ciara Heaney suffered a bad challenge from two players that sandwiched her in an illegal tackle and was carried off injured, to be substituted by Rachel Cassidy.

Muckalee scored a second goal in the 25th minute to leave the scoreboard 2-5 to 0-4 in their favour but Ballymore responded with a point and just before half-time Ballymore were awarded a penalty after Aoife Dawson was taken down in the square.  Aisling Reynolds scored from the penalty shot, which left the half-time score, Muckalee 2-5 to Ballymore 1-5. 

The second half had a worrying start for Ballymore with Muckalee’s Kate Purcell scoring their 3rd goal in the first minute. 

This was the wake-up call Ballymore needed and they responded with fine scores from Aoife Reilly, Zara Drake and Aisling Reynolds. It was all square by the 46th minute 1-13 to 3-7. Muckalee were ferocious in attack and with a flurry of players at the goalmouth Ballymore keeper Deirdre Monaghan made several great saves. Unfortunately, Muckalee’s Katie Nolan sustained an injury and was taken off.  

Ballymore scored again to go ahead for the first time and again to take the lead by 2 points with 8 minutes  remaining. Muckalee came back with frees to leave the teams  all square by the 53rd minute. 

Disaster struck then for Ballymore as Marie Martin was sent off for what they perceived was a soft tackle. Superb goalkeeping by Deirdre Monaghan in the last 10 minutes held the draw but with tired legs and 14 players, Ballymore could not get through to score again. 

Muckalee got a final point with time running out  to win the game and the result was rough justice on the Longford Junior ‘A’ champions. 

BALLYMORE: Deirdre Monaghan; Courtney Murphy, Ciara Heaney, Shauna Heaney; Elizabeth Kearney, Sorcha Dawson, Alanna Kelly; Grace McEvoy, Marie Martin; Molly Boyle, Aisling Reynolds (1-11), Zara Drake (0-1); Aoife Dawson (0-1), Aoife Reilly (0-1), Caroline Kiernan (0-1). 

Subs:- Rachel Cassidy for C Heaney (injured), Nicole Neilon for A Reilly,  Megan Creegan for M  Boyle, Amy Creegan for C Murphy.