GAELIC GAMES
Ní Shé and Ní Chiardha eye for goal seals deal
Daire Walsh
GRACE Ní Shé and Michelle Ní Chiardha helped themselves to second-half goals at Mullingar on Saturday, as Coláiste Íosagáin progressed to the All-Ireland Senior ‘A’ Ladies Football decider with a 2-7 to 0-4 victory against Glenamaddy CS of Galway.
The Booterstown school were facing into an early deficit at the home of St Loman’s after Galway minor Ailish Morrisey split the posts during the early exchanges, but successive points from Michelle Ní Chiardha, Laura Ní Chátháin, Billy-Kate Huggard, Hannah Ní Dheá, Tarah Ní Shuilleabháin and Tarah Ní Shuilleabháin guided the 2014 All-Ireland winners towards a 0-6 to 0-1 half-time lead.
Yet, Glenamaddy were a rejuvenated side when the action resumed, and following points by Hannah Noone, Amy Mee and Morrisey, they had cut the gap to just two points on 41 minutes. Íosagáin maintained their composure throughout the proceedings, though, and after a point from Sinead de Bhuilde settled their nerves, three-pointers from Dublin minor panellist Ní Shé and the excellent Michelle Ní Chiardha placed the outcome beyond doubt.
Íosagáin will now face Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir in the All-Ireland showpiece on Monday, March 7 – following the latter’s success over Loreto College, Cavan.