St.Mary’s take honours in tight City Derby

St.Mary’s 2.07 QUB 1.08
This Belfast University league game played on the superb Academy pitch at the Dub on Wednesday night proved to be a tight physical encounter. Scores were difficult to come by early on and Ashling Mc Fadden opened the Ranch’s account with a close in point.
The same player doubled the West Belfast outfits tally and the lively Catherine McColgan made it 3. This kicked Queens into gear Mairoasa Mc Gourty open their account before Derrys Mairead Mc Nicholl pointed a 45. Queens then got in behind the St Mary’s defence on four occasions and failed to convert any of the goal
scoring chances. Against the run of play now St. Marys attacked down the right and a harmless shot from Nicole O Neil somehow managed to creep past Danielle Mc Michael. Queens came out much stronger in the second period adding two point s from Mc
Gourty and the excellent Joanne Mullan on as second half replacement, St. Marys again added a point from Caomhie Glass, Queens then failed to convert four scoreable frees and at the other end a St Marys free from distance made its way straight into the Qub net.
An injury to Maeve Connolly stopped play, Queens regrouped and applied pressure to the St, Mary’s rearguard, Derry duo Maeve Quinn and Eilis Ni Chasidie held out well and Queens again missed several goal chances including a Meabhdh Laverty effort just past the post with the last puc.
St Mary’s will now meet CIT or Mary I . Queens Manager Joe Baldwin although disappointed with the result was pleased enough with match saying, ” fair play to St.Marys they took there goal chances, we missed five. A game of that intensity is important at this time of year, we still have the Eglish and Eoghan Rua girls to
come back in so that will improve us “.
All involved wish Maeve Connolly the best after her injury. Player of the match Eimear Hayes Qub No 7.
Match Referee Owen Elliot.