LETTERKENNY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY opened their Colleges All-Ireland Ladies League with victory in an open contest against University of Ulster Coleraine this afternoon.
LyIT 11-11 UUC 6-14
With 4-4 to her name, Geraldine McLaughlin was in impressive form for the team managed by Eamon O’Boyle, who despite seeing his side pick up the points at O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny would’ve been a little concerned at the way they allowed Coleraine back into the game.
At one stage in the second half, eight or so minutes in, LyIT were 18 points in front but by the 57th minute that gulf had been narrowed to three points.
However, LyIT finished strongly, showing their abilities to go back through the gears instantly when needed and Emma McCrory, who had goaled her first of the afternoon on 10 minutes, netted twice in the last three minutes to bring her day’s goals to four, while Sarah-Jane McDonald also scored a late goal.
It seemed initially that such complications were not going to be necessary, as by half-time LyIT were in an imperious position with a 6-4 to 0-7 lead.
Letterkenny Institute captain Gemma Glackin and his opposite number Niamh McBride of University of Ulster Coleraine with match referee Michael Mulhern at O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny this afternoon
McLaughlin scored two goals in the first eight minutes and McCrory, on 10 minutes, gave the Port Road residents an excellent start.
McCrory posted her second goal on 20 minutes and on the stroke of half-time McLaughlin smashed home a penalty – for her hat-trick – after Coleraine goalkeeper Laura Kane was penalised for a foot-block on Niamh Briody.
That meant that LyIT were in a commanding position at half-time, but although Coleraine were slow to start, there were dangerous inside with Leeanne McAlavey and Oonagh McArdle gave their forward line some threat. And although the goals weren’t coming, they did possess an ability to knock over points.
McLaughlin added her fourth goal right at the start of the second half and by the 38th minute LyIT were 7-6 to 0-9 in front.
On 41 minutes, the visitors saw McArdle, who would scored 2-5 in all, blast past Lisa Devaney in the LyIT goal, before the same player added another goal moments later.
At the other end, McDonald bagged LyIT’s eighth goal of the afternoon with McLaughlin putting the chance on the proverbial plate with 16 minutes left.
That made it 8-8 to 2-12 for LyIT but the concession of four goals in seven minutes gave the scoreboard an alternative slant. Catherine Hamilton scored the first of those and when McAlavey added two more and Anne Boyle also beat Devaney, the alarm bells did momentarily bleat out with LyIT 8-10 to 6-13 in front.
However, the hosts didn’t lose the run of themselves and added three late goals to get over the line.
Next up, St Mary’s College from Belfast visit O’Donnell Park. That’s on Thursday, October 22.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology: Lisa Devaney; Arlene Gallagher, Aine Brennan, Sara O’Boyle; Annie-Rose Quinn, Shannon McDaid, Gemma Glackin; Nollaig O’Dowd, Aine Higgins (1-0); Dara Kelly (0-1), Rachael McGee, Lucy O’Flynn (0-1); Sarah-Jane McDonald (2-1), Geraldine McLaughlin (4-4, 1-0 pen), Emma McCrory (4-3). Subs: Niamh Briody (0-1) for Kelly (20), Â Victoria Kelly for Quinn (22), Aoife O’Brien for Gallagher (35), Roisin McGloin (0-1) for O’Flynn (39), Lauren Hegarty for McDaid (50).
University of Ulster, Coleraine:Â Laura Kane; Kerri Quinn, Shanley Clarke, Maureen McHugh; Aisling Clancy, Â Niamh McBride, Brianna Gorman; Aideen Mimnagh, Catherine Hamilton (1-0); Nuala Beggan (0-1), Kerri McGarvey (0-4, 2f), Leeanne McAlavey (2-0); Oonagh McArdle (2-5), Anne Boyle (1-3, 2f), Noleen McGurk (0-1). Subs: Bethanie Duffy, Una Begley, Dearbhla Wright.
Referee: Michael Mulhern.
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