Curraha/St. Vincent’s booked their place in the Division 8 final with a strong semi-final win over Eastern Gaels in Ardcath. 

The hosts made a flying start, with early points from Roisin O’Connor and Katie Tuite before Tuite struck the opening goal after nine minutes. Imogen Horgan soon added a second goal, as Curraha/St. Vincent’s made full use of the strong first-half wind. 

Lucy Andrews landed a fine long-range point and then set up Tuite for another score, helping the home side open up a 10-point lead. Lara Parsons followed with a well-taken point after Tuite’s goal effort came back off the post. Further scores from Tuite and O’Connor kept the scoreboard moving before Eastern Gaels began to grow into the game. 

Carly Parsons produced a brilliant save to deny the visitors a goal, though Eastern Gaels did register the next two points. O’Connor then won possession in the Eastern Gaels defence and finished left-footed to the net. Tuite added another point after good work from Mollie White, before Lara Parsons scored Curraha/St. Vincent’s fourth goal. A long-range O’Connor point closed out the half. 

Half-time: Curraha/St. Vincent’s 4-9 Eastern Gaels 0-2 

With the breeze now in their favour, Eastern Gaels started the second half brightly and kicked three early points. Tuite responded with a close-range free before O’Connor struck for her second goal of the evening. 

The visitors continued to apply pressure and forced another excellent save from Parsons, while also hitting the post. Tuite brought her tally to 1-6 with 10 minutes remaining, and a strong defensive display from Curraha/St. Vincent’s helped prevent Eastern Gaels from closing the gap significantly. 

Curraha/St. Vincent’s Ladies can now look forward to a league final for the second year in a row, likely to be played on the weekend of May 17. 

Full-time: Curraha/St. Vincent’s 5-11 Eastern Gaels 1-13 

Curraha/St.Vincents:  Carly Parsons, Hannah Keogh, Hannah Keogh, Ava Cleary, Jessica Brennan, Katelyn McMahon, Larissa Carey, Shauna White, Phoebe Horgan, Mollie White, Lara Parsons(1-1), Lucy Andrews(0-1), Imogen Horgan(1-0), Katie Tuite(1-6), Roisin O’Connor(2-3)