The Summerhill Intermediate Ladies team travelled to Naomh Mearnóg GAA Club on Saturday, August 2, to take part in this year’s O’Neill’s All-Ireland Club 7s tournament. They were one of 19 Intermediate clubs competing on the day.
Drawn in a group of four alongside Athlone (Westmeath), Clonoe O’Rahilly’s (Tyrone), and Annaclone (Down), Summerhill began their campaign with an impressive 8-16 to 6-12 victory over Annaclone. Gracie Grehan starred with four goals, Aoife Carey chipped in with 2-4, while Robyn Larkin and Ciara Flaherty added a goal and a couple of points each. Megan Lyons, more accustomed to stopping scores than scoring them, landed two points of her own. Rebecca King, Anna Carey, and Andrea Pearle also found the target. Kallie Larkin was unlucky not to score after her effort rattled the crossbar, and Keely Burke made some fine saves to help secure the opening win.
Next up was Clonoe O’Rahilly’s, and things weren’t going to plan for Summerhill at half-time as they trailed 4-3 to 2-3. Knowing a win was essential to stay in contention, they produced a stirring second-half comeback led by Gracie Grehan, who struck for a goal and a point late on to snatch a two-point win and guarantee a top-two finish. That set up a winner-takes-all clash with Athlone.
The Westmeath side proved a tough opponent, racing into a 2-5 to 0-3 lead at the break before pulling further clear in the second half to win 6-11 to 2-7. That result saw Summerhill finish second in Group 1, sending them into the Shield competition.
In the Shield semi-final, they faced Dublin’s Pobal Parnell, who started brightly to lead 3-3 to 0-5 at the break. Facing elimination, Summerhill battled hard in the second half, with Gracie Grehan scoring 1-1 and Aoife Carey adding 1-2. But with just a point between the sides and Summerhill pushing for an equaliser, Pobal Parnell struck late to seal a two-point win and end Summerhill’s silverware hopes.
Despite the disappointment, it was an enjoyable and valuable day for the 12 players and their management team, and ideal preparation for their upcoming Intermediate Championship, which begins on August 14 against Ratoath.
Panel: Keely Burke, Sarah Brien, Ella Flynn, Megan Lyons, Andrea Pearle, Rebecca King, Aoife Carey, Anna Carey, Gracie Grehan, Robyn Larkin, Kallie Larkin, Ciara Flaherty.
Many thanks to Gavin Cooper for the excellent report.
Drawn in a group of four alongside Athlone (Westmeath), Clonoe O’Rahilly’s (Tyrone), and Annaclone (Down), Summerhill began their campaign with an impressive 8-16 to 6-12 victory over Annaclone. Gracie Grehan starred with four goals, Aoife Carey chipped in with 2-4, while Robyn Larkin and Ciara Flaherty added a goal and a couple of points each. Megan Lyons, more accustomed to stopping scores than scoring them, landed two points of her own. Rebecca King, Anna Carey, and Andrea Pearle also found the target. Kallie Larkin was unlucky not to score after her effort rattled the crossbar, and Keely Burke made some fine saves to help secure the opening win.
Next up was Clonoe O’Rahilly’s, and things weren’t going to plan for Summerhill at half-time as they trailed 4-3 to 2-3. Knowing a win was essential to stay in contention, they produced a stirring second-half comeback led by Gracie Grehan, who struck for a goal and a point late on to snatch a two-point win and guarantee a top-two finish. That set up a winner-takes-all clash with Athlone.
The Westmeath side proved a tough opponent, racing into a 2-5 to 0-3 lead at the break before pulling further clear in the second half to win 6-11 to 2-7. That result saw Summerhill finish second in Group 1, sending them into the Shield competition.
In the Shield semi-final, they faced Dublin’s Pobal Parnell, who started brightly to lead 3-3 to 0-5 at the break. Facing elimination, Summerhill battled hard in the second half, with Gracie Grehan scoring 1-1 and Aoife Carey adding 1-2. But with just a point between the sides and Summerhill pushing for an equaliser, Pobal Parnell struck late to seal a two-point win and end Summerhill’s silverware hopes.
Despite the disappointment, it was an enjoyable and valuable day for the 12 players and their management team, and ideal preparation for their upcoming Intermediate Championship, which begins on August 14 against Ratoath.
Panel: Keely Burke, Sarah Brien, Ella Flynn, Megan Lyons, Andrea Pearle, Rebecca King, Aoife Carey, Anna Carey, Gracie Grehan, Robyn Larkin, Kallie Larkin, Ciara Flaherty.
Many thanks to Gavin Cooper for the excellent report.
